Da Lat has just successfully organized the 10th Flower Festival.

The small, dreamy Da Lat hidden in the Lam Vien plateau was before 1975 a major cultural, educational and resort center of the South. But hidden behind that poetic beauty is a Da Lat seething with revolutionary fighting spirit, where the elite - intellectuals, artists, patriotic students - have silently contributed to the heroic history of the nation.

In the memory of Mr. Nguyen Tri Dien - former Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Lat City, also a son of Da Lat who participated in revolutionary activities in the Da Lat Youth, Student and Pupil Working Team, the days of March 1975 were a heroic epic. From March 20, he and many comrades were assigned the task of: Investigating enemy treasures, printing and distributing leaflets calling for uprising, organizing the protection of the city's vital targets. Pasteur Institute, Military Academy, Water Plant, Oil Depot, Da Lat Market... were all within the sight of the loyal sons of Da Lat. Not only that, they were also the eyes, the feet, ready to lead the liberation army into Da Lat.

After the complete liberation of the old Lam Dong province, Da Lat became an isolated oasis in the midst of a victorious siege. The enemy army collapsed, their morale was broken. Therefore, on March 27 and 28, 1975, the Liberation Front's leaflets calling on the people to rise up in revolt were distributed throughout the city. The Liberation Front's leaflets, like storm-warriors, flew throughout the city, calling on the people to rise up. The people of Da Lat were shocked, but in their hearts, the flame of hope was still burning brightly, the children of Da Lat were still steadfastly holding on, ready for the historic moment.

On the morning of March 31, our troops advanced to liberate Nha Trang. On the night of March 31, facing the risk of collapse, the puppet army and government hastily fled Da Lat. Late at night on March 31, early in the morning of April 1, the people of Da Lat were awakened by explosions and large fires caused by the enemy destroying documents and some warehouses, supplies, and ammunition depots at Ba Mountain, Cam Ly airport, and the Military Academy and fleeing from Da Lat. Then came the sound of sirens and the roar of all kinds of tanks, armored vehicles, trucks, and cars following each other down Prenn Pass to flee to Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan.

On April 1, 1975, in the outlying hamlets, armed forces and working teams quickly took over and promoted the establishment of revolutionary governments. On April 1, 1975, armed forces and working teams quickly took over the outlying areas and established revolutionary governments in the communes of Xuan Truong, Trai Mat, Sao Nam, Tay Ho, Tu Phuoc, Da Thanh, Da Phu... On April 2, in the city center, the red flag with a yellow star fluttered on the roof of the Hoa Binh cinema, amidst the resounding cheers of the people.

On the morning of April 3, 1975, at 8:20 a.m., the liberation flag proudly flew over the Tuyen Duc Administration Building, Da Lat City, marking the historic moment: Da Lat was completely liberated. The victorious army entered the city, led by the boys and girls of Da Lat, the image was so heroic and touching.

The liberation of Dalat was a special victory because there was no bloodshed, no power outage, no water loss. The material, technical, and economic facilities were taken over intact.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tri Dien and his comrades, during the arduous years of struggle, Da Lat not only had outstanding sons who stood up to take up arms, but also had countless ordinary people who silently contributed. They were mothers, sisters, and grandmothers who quietly sheltered and protected revolutionary soldiers and patriotic students. They were fathers and uncles who silently supplied food and medicine, creating conditions for the revolutionary movement to develop.

There were those who fell, carrying with them their faith and hope for a brighter tomorrow. There were also those who, although standing on the other side of the battle line, still had their hearts turned towards their homeland, silently supporting the patriotic movement, fighting to unify the country. Their patriotism, their silent sacrifice, were nameless flowers, adorning the golden history of Da Lat. Their contributions, although not recorded in books, will forever be engraved in the hearts of patriots and freedom-loving people. They were silent heroes, contributing to the victory of the nation.

After liberation, Da Lat and the whole country entered a period of building and defending the Fatherland in peace. 50 years have passed, Da Lat has grown strongly, from a city mainly based on agriculture, it has now become a center of tourism, services, and high-tech agriculture. The transportation system has been upgraded and expanded, eliminating the "oasis on high". The economy has developed rapidly, tourism has become a key economic sector. High-tech agriculture has made Da Lat the "vegetable and flower capital" of the whole country. Da Lat today is also a place where knowledge converges, with more than 20 scientific research and technology application facilities.

Dalat today, a peaceful city, still retains its poetic beauty, but is more dynamic and modern, a testament to the strong vitality of the children of the Vietnamese people.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/xa-hoi/202504/chuyen-ke-ngay-giai-phong-a-lat-mot-trang-su-hoa-binh-df10945/