Solemnly organize the political art program "17th Parallel"

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Vinh Linh Traditional Day August 25 (1954 - 2024), tonight, August 16, at the North Bank Flag Tower of the Hien Luong - Ben Hai Relic Site, Nhan Dan Newspaper in coordination with Quang Tri province solemnly organized the political art program "Parallel 17 - Aspiration for Peace".

Attending from the central side were members of the Party Central Committee: Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong; Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Le Quoc Minh; representatives of leaders of central departments, ministries and branches. From Quang Tri province, there were Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Nguyen Dang Quang; Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Vo Van Hung; Chairman of the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee Dao Manh Hung; members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council, leaders of the People's Committee, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, the National Assembly Delegation of the province; provincial leaders through the periods; revolutionary veterans, heroic Vietnamese mothers, heroes of the People's Armed Forces, heroes of labor; leaders of departments, branches, localities, and a large number of people from all walks of life and tourists from near and far.

Solemnly organize the political art program

Delegates perform the flag salute ceremony - Photo: Tran Tuyen

Exactly 70 years ago, after the victory of Dien Bien Phu, the Geneva Agreement was signed, peace was restored throughout Vietnam. Accordingly, the country was temporarily divided into two regions, the South and the North, with a general election expected to be held to unify the country after two years. The 17th parallel was determined as the boundary between the two regions.

Implementing the terms of the Geneva Agreement, on August 25, 1954, at Ho Xa, the French military representative signed the minutes of handing over the area north of the 17th parallel to our delegation and withdrew troops to the southern bank of the Ben Hai River. August 25, 1954 became the traditional day of Vinh Linh's homeland. Vinh Linh was at this time the only district of Quang Tri province to be liberated, but a part of it was cut off, including the entire Vinh Liem commune, a part of Vinh Son commune in the south of the demilitarized zone with a population of 13,267 people and 351 of our party members had to stay behind to stick to the land and people and operate in enemy territory.

The US imperialists and the Saigon government sabotaged the Geneva Agreement, permanently dividing the country, turning the South into a new type of colony and a military base to attack the socialist North. The whole of Vinh Linh became the coordinates of bombs and destruction; how much pain and loss did the people of Vinh Linh have to endure when each person had to bear 7 tons of bombs and bullets during the years when the US imperialists escalated their attacks on the North.

Overcoming all sacrifices, losses, difficulties and challenges, with the will that “nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”, the army and people of Vinh Linh have shown their courage, not giving up an inch, not leaving a single strand. At the border bridgehead, the Vinh Linh steel ramparts still firmly keep the glorious flag of the Fatherland flying proudly on top of the Hien Luong flagpole, keeping the North-South bloodline open day and night, connecting the rear with the heroic great frontline.

Vinh Linh, together with Quang Tri, has fulfilled the sacred mission entrusted by the Fatherland, writing a bright red line in the history of human progress, stirring the conscience of humanity, deserving many very proud titles: "Socialist Northern Outpost", "Diamond Land", "Heroic Fire Line", "Steel Fortress Vinh Linh"...

Solemnly organize the political art program

Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department, President of the Vietnam Journalists Association Le Quoc Minh speaks at the program - Photo: Tran Tuyen

In his opening speech, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper Le Quoc Minh affirmed: The enemy wanted to turn the river in the homeland of Quang Tri into a slash of division, but our people did not hesitate to shed blood and build bridges and ferry piers to connect the country, to connect the love that is like inseparable flesh and blood, like the eternal truth that President Ho Chi Minh once declared to the people of the whole country and the whole world: "Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one, rivers can dry up, mountains can wear away, but that truth will never change".

The passing years have further demonstrated that the victory of our people in the resistance war against the US to save the country will forever be a brilliant milestone in the history of the nation. The victory of our people has entered world history as a great feat of the 20th century, an event of great international significance and profound contemporary significance.

During the 20-year long resistance war, Quang Tri was an extremely fierce battlefield, the Vinh Linh steel ramparts together with the heroic Con Co island were both the front line and the direct rear of the Southern battlefield. Thousands and tens of thousands of beloved children from all over the country came here, fought tenaciously and sacrificed heroically. The blood and bones of countless heroes and martyrs soaked into the sacred land of Quang Tri, erecting victory monuments. The names Ben Hai, Hien Luong, Con Tien, Doc Mieu, Road 9, Khe Sanh, Cua Viet, Thanh Co... have entered the history of the nation, shaking the conscience of humanity.

70 years after the signing of the Geneva Agreement, 52 years after the liberation day, the children of Quang Tri have promoted the tradition of indomitability, resilience in combat, diligence and creativity in labor to join hands to build a rich and prosperous homeland.

Solemnly organize the political art program

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong speaks at the program - Photo: Tran Tuyen

Speaking at the program, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong emphasized that the land at the beginning of the Vinh Linh border has become a place that has marked the heroic history during the years when the country was divided. The whole land is a fierce battlefield, a majestic steel fortress, striking thunderous blows at the invaders.

The Vinh Linh people retreated deep underground, both coordinating with the armed forces to fight on the spot and providing human and material support to the Southern battlefield, keeping the North-South bloodline open, connecting the rear with the heroic frontline, especially for nearly 8,000 days and nights keeping the Fatherland's flag flying on the northern bank of Hien Luong bridge at the border.

The war ended but left behind a lot of pain, loss and heavy damage: the whole Quang Tri province has 2,833 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, more than 18,000 martyrs and more than 11,000 wounded and sick soldiers and tens of thousands of people with revolutionary contributions. The province has 72 martyrs' cemeteries, including 2 national martyrs' cemeteries with over 600,000 martyrs' graves. The number of wounded and martyrs and people with revolutionary contributions accounts for nearly 20% of the province's population in 2022.

Vinh Linh district alone has 557 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, 5,271 martyrs, 2,757 wounded soldiers, 586 sick soldiers... The whole province has tens of thousands of people exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin. Quang Tri province is one of the localities most contaminated with bombs, mines and explosives in the country, accounting for more than 81% of the total area of the province.

Promoting the heroic tradition, entering the period of innovation, the Party Committee, government, army and people of Quang Tri province have determined to unite, actively overcome the consequences of war, work hard in production, develop socio-economy, maintain national defense and security, and have achieved many important achievements.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong praised Nhan Dan Newspaper and Quang Tri province for organizing the meaningful political art program "Parallel 17 - Aspiration for Peace"; hoping that the program will be a stick of incense to express gratitude for the great sacrifices of compatriots and comrades, further arousing the flame of patriotism, the will of self-reliance, solidarity, and the aspiration to build and protect the Fatherland of the nation.

It is recommended that in the coming time, Nhan Dan Newspaper, news agencies and press continue to coordinate with localities and relevant agencies to organize more meaningful and practical programs and activities; Quang Tri continues to effectively implement activities of remembering the source of drinking water, repaying gratitude, the Party and State's policies and guidelines for people with revolutionary contributions, programs to educate history and revolutionary traditions for the younger generation, and foster people's trust in the cause of innovation under the leadership of the Party.

Solemnly organize the political art program

Photo: Tran Tuyen

The political art program “17th Parallel - Desire for Peace” aims to review the years of division between the North and the South. Twenty years of pain, loss, and sacrifice have further fueled the desire for peace and national unity in every Vietnamese person, especially the people in the border areas.

In particular, it is an occasion to recall the glorious steel accumulation of Vinh Linh, the bridgehead of the North, the direct rear of the Southern frontline. Thereby, it will widely propagate the historical, cultural and revolutionary traditions of the nation; educate political ideology, ethics, lifestyle; more strongly arouse the spirit of patriotism, the will of self-reliance, solidarity, the aspiration to develop a prosperous and happy country of all people.

Solemnly organize the political art program

Photo: Tran Tuyen

The program also introduces a new Parallel 17 - a new Vinh Linh, a Quang Tri that is growing stronger day by day, an impressive tourist and historical destination for visitors; connecting people at home and abroad, connecting the past - present and together towards a peaceful and beautiful future.

Solemnly organize the political art program

Photo: Tran Tuyen

The art program “17th Parallel - Aspiration for Peace” has 5 chapters including: July Days; As if there was no separation; Blood and Flowers; Where Vietnam's Strength Can Be Seen; The Land of Steel Blooms.

The program was elaborately staged with specially designed sound and lighting and the participation of many famous artists such as: Anh Tho, Trong Tan, Tung Duong, Van Khanh, Viet Danh, Bach Tra, Rapper Rica, Ngoc Khanh Chi, Lavender dance group...

Solemnly organize the political art program

Photo: Tran Tuyen

The program includes many songs praising the heroic fighting spirit of our army and people, praising the homeland such as "Cau ho ben bo Hien Luong", "Bai song of hope", "Tien cuong Truong Son we sing", "The road I walk along the country", "Duong Duong Truong Son your car passed", "Far away", "Liberating the South", "The army cheers for the heroic homeland of Quang Tri".

The program also includes special art performances such as a secret flag-raising ceremony on the southern bank of Ben Hai River; a duet of Central Vietnamese folk songs “Giong ho que ta” (Our Country’s Folk Songs) featuring the voice of the late People’s Artist Chau Loan and a singer performing live on stage.

The highlight of the program is the two short plays “Same Skin Color” and “We Are Family” written by author and journalist Tran Dang Tuan. The program also includes short reports and clips “Geneva Agreement”, “Songs on the Edge of the Parallel”, “Village in the Tunnel”, “K8 and K10”, “The Land of Steel Blooms”… recalling the difficult but also very proud historical years.

Through art, the program helped the audience have a specific, impressive and emotional view so that “Parallel 17” could continue telling the story of peace for future generations. The program ended with a special and impressive fireworks display to the heroic music of the song La Co.

Solemnly organize the political art program

Pha Le Group donated 300 million VND to support the army and people of Con Co island district - Photo: Tran Tuyen

On this occasion, the Viet Seed Fund - Nhan Dan Newspaper coordinated with businesses and sponsors to present 10 houses to families with revolutionary contributions in Vinh Linh district, each house worth 50 million VND.

Solemnly organize the political art program

Nhan Dan Newspaper in coordination with Vietnam Oil and Gas Group presented 10 houses, each worth 50 million VND, to families with revolutionary contributions in Vinh Linh district - Photo: Tran Tuyen

At the same time, Nhan Dan Newspaper in coordination with Thien Tam Fund of Vingroup Corporation presented 500 gifts with a total value of 500 million VND to policy families with especially difficult circumstances in Vinh Linh; Dau Tu Newspaper and Health System 365 presented 200 scholarships to poor but studious students in Quang Tri province, each gift worth 1 million VND; Pha Le Group presented 300 million VND to support the soldiers and people of Con Co island.

Solemnly organize the political art program