Uncle Ho's advice to soldiers before returning to take over the capital

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Capital Liberation Day (October 10, 1954) was a historical event marking an important turning point, affirming the complete victory of our army and people in the resistance war against the invading French colonialists.

On the 70th anniversary of the Liberation Day of the Capital (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024), the generation of fathers and grandfathers in the past devoted their youth full of enthusiasm to the resistance war with the oath "to return to Hanoi one day". Now some are still alive, some have passed away, but the memories are still intact of the emotions of the army from the 5 gates entering to take over the capital Hanoi in the welcome of tens of thousands of people in neat clothes, colorful flags and flowers, and cheers resounding throughout the streets.

After the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954, Mr. Le Van Tinh (born in 1935, veteran of the Capital Regiment, Division 308) returned to Hung Temple (Phu Tho province) to meet Uncle Ho and was assigned to take over the capital. This was an event that left a deep impression that Mr. Tinh will never forget in his entire life.

The first time he met Uncle Ho, soldier Le Van Tinh was moved to see him in good health, in the cold weather, wearing only faded brown clothes. Uncle Ho sat on the steps of the house and asked intimately: "Do you know where this is?". A few words replied: "Sir, this is Hung Temple".

At that time, Uncle Ho replied: The Hung Kings had the merit of founding the country, you and I must work together to protect the country. For the past eight or nine years, our army and people have resolutely fought a resistance war, which is why we have achieved victory in Hanoi. Therefore, you have been assigned by the Party Central Committee and the Government to take over the capital, which is a great honor.

Mr. Le Van Tinh, veteran of the Capital Regiment.

“Uncle Ho kindly advised: When you take over the capital, you must be extremely vigilant against the enemy's sabotage plots, fight to keep electricity, water, hospitals, schools, houses, roads... intact for us to use. You must always maintain strict discipline, preserve revolutionary qualities. In war, you cannot die from copper bullets, in peacetime, if you cannot maintain revolutionary qualities, you can fall from sugar-coated bullets... you must always unite together to complete your tasks, diligently propagate to the people to clearly understand the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's regulations, and refute the enemy's false arguments," Mr. Le Van Tinh recalled.

At the end of the conversation, Uncle asked: "When entering the newly liberated city, I hope you will be a serious example in carrying out and completing your tasks, okay?"

“The soldiers stood up and promised Uncle Ho to complete the mission and wished him good health and longevity. Uncle Ho smiled kindly: “Okay, if you want Uncle Ho to be happy and healthy and live long, you must fulfill his instructions”. The soldiers clapped their hands happily to greet Uncle Ho,” veteran Le Van Tinh shared.

In order to carry out Uncle Ho's instructions on this special task, Mr. Tinh's unit had more than a month to prepare urgently, seriously and very specifically. The sessions to communicate regulations in the newly liberated area, especially instructions on living in the city, were conducted carefully, full of camaraderie, along with an excited atmosphere, eagerly looking forward to the day of entering the capital.

“October 10, 1954, the historic day arrived. At 5 a.m., leaving Phung village (Dan Phuong district), we marched in an orderly formation along Highway 32 towards Hanoi. Passing Cau Dien, what appeared before us was a forest of flags, banners, slogans, and elaborate fonts in Hanoi, the most common of which was: Long live Ho Chi Minh!”, Mr. Tinh recalled.

On the morning of October 10, 1954, the troops entered to take over the capital amidst a forest of flags and flowers welcomed by the people of Hanoi. Photo: VNA

Veteran Le Van Tinh clearly remembers the image of a historic autumn morning 70 years ago, when a large number of people in the capital stood on both sides of the street waving flags and flowers to welcome the neat military parade. “Eyes filled with tears, arms as if wanting to hug relatives who had not seen each other for a long time. It was hard to hold back the emotions that welled up, with tears in their eyes, especially those comrades who fought for 60 days and nights in the “Determination to Die for the Fatherland” army to defend Hanoi, who left on the first day of the resistance war and now returned,” said the veteran of Division 308.

When the army marched through the streets to Hoan Kiem Lake and the Dong Xuan market, even though the streets were under curfew, every house was open, and people stood inside their houses watching the soldiers pass by with friendly, close expressions as they had long expected.

On the afternoon of October 10, 1954, the army taking over the capital gathered at the Flagpole yard, the orderly formation and the people attended the flag-raising ceremony. At 3:00 p.m. the same day, the City Theater siren sounded a long blast, the majestic National Anthem resounded, and the national flag fluttered on top of the Hanoi flagpole.

“Division Commander Vuong Thua Vu read President Ho's letter to the people of the Capital. The letter was intimate and heartfelt, in the sacred atmosphere, I was moved to tears, as soon as the letter ended, the shout of Ho Chi Minh resounded, expressing the love and respect of the people of the Capital for their leader,” said Mr. Le Van Tinh.

Mr. Tinh said that after a short period of military control, the streets of the capital became more and more bustling and life returned to normal. In the first days, Mr. Tinh's unit divided into groups of 3 people to visit each house, talk, and answer questions for the people, and was warmly welcomed by everyone.

“Following Uncle Ho’s instructions, we have successfully completed the tasks assigned by Uncle Ho. The unit was commended, and I and some officers in the regiment were awarded Uncle Ho’s badge, which is an extremely valuable reward,” veteran Le Van Tinh said emotionally.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/loi-can-dan-cua-bac-ho-voi-chien-si-truoc-ngay-tro-ve-tiep-quan-thu-do-2328847.html