Emotional integrity

More than 50 years ago, the soldiers from the rice fields of Thai Binh, with their passionate patriotism, the desire for national independence and their indomitable will, cut across Truong Son to save the country. They contributed their blood and bones to the front lines, wrote heroic pages of history, and together with the whole nation created the great victory in the spring of 1975. Half a century later, in their hearts, the memories of those days are still intact... The victory on April 30, 1975 was a resounding triumph, closing a period of fierce war, opening an era of independence, unity and development of the country. In that overwhelming joy, there was blood, tears and the steadfast faith of the Thai Binh people - from peaceful villages to fiery battlefields.

With the spirit of "overweight rice, over-staffed soldiers", "all for the South" - Thai Binh has become a great rear base of the great front line. During the years of resistance against the US, saving the country (1959 - 1975), Thai Binh sent 178,114 young men to join the army, the number of families of soldiers going to B, going to C over the years (1966 - 1975) was 370,125 families. Thai Binh soldiers added to any battlefield, any unit, anywhere, always left good impressions and feelings, many people made outstanding achievements. By 1978, 26 people were awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the Party and State. Most of the southern provinces had young Thai Binh people who fought, were wounded, and sacrificed. The total number of martyrs of Thai Binh in the resistance against the US was 34,403 people.

Although the war has long since ended, in the minds of the soldiers of the past, the memories of the heroic fighting days are still as fresh as yesterday. Each battle, each land, each comrade who sacrificed... everything is like a slow-motion film, indelible. Veteran Pham Van Lai, Tu Tan commune, Vu Thu district, choked up as he shared: At 9:30 a.m. on April 30, 1975, I was assigned to plant the flag on top of the water tower in Davis camp (Tan Son Nhat airport) because this was the highest point, easy to report the victory to our army and people. Even more honorable, the next morning (May 1, 1975), I continued to be assigned to plant a larger, newer flag to replace the flag planted by comrade Bui Quang Than (because this flag was small and had faded) on the roof of the Independence Palace. When the red flag with yellow star fluttered in the heart of Saigon, amidst the cheers of the army and people, I felt extremely proud, tears welled up uncontrollably. At that moment, I understood that the blood and bones of many generations of fathers and brothers had not been wasted.

Veteran Le Viet Hung, Thuy Quynh commune, Thai Thuy district, recalled: At that time, we were assigned to attack Dong Du base. After many hours of arduous fighting, we took control of Dong Du, opening the way for the liberation army to attack and occupy the Independence Palace. When we heard the news that President Duong Van Minh surrendered unconditionally, the liberation flag flying over the Independence Palace, we were overwhelmed with emotion, our comrades hugged each other, crying like children. All the sacrifices and hardships seemed to be washed away in that moment. We knew that, from that moment, the country was truly united, the North and the South reunited under one roof.

Delegation of Thai Binh province visited Quang Trung Software Park.

Journey of gratitude and affirmation of responsibility for today's generation

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, in late April 2025, Thai Binh province organized a delegation of veterans - those who directly contributed to the great victory in the spring of 1975 - to return to the old battlefield. The trip was not only a journey back to memories, back to comrades and unforgettable years, an opportunity to pay tribute to those who devoted their youth to the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, but also a journey connecting history with the present, reminding today's generation of the responsibility to inherit and promote the traditions of their ancestors.

The delegation offered incense to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh at Ben Nha Rong, President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park; offered incense and flowers to commemorate heroic martyrs at Ben Duoc Temple; visited Ton Duc Thang Museum, Independence Palace, Cu Chi Tunnels - "red addresses" that recorded the heroic history of the army and people of the South in the resistance war against the US to save the country. Comrade Pham Van Nghiem, Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of Thai Binh Provincial People's Committee, emotionally shared: The trip is an opportunity for veterans and cadres who participated in the Ho Chi Minh campaign to return to the place that marked historical memories; at the same time, it is a meaningful gratitude activity of the Party Committee, government and people of Thai Binh province to the previous generation in general, including the outstanding children who directly contributed to the great victory in the spring of 1975 - a brilliant milestone in the history of the struggle for national liberation.

Joining the atmosphere of gratitude, Thai Binh veterans could not help but be moved when witnessing the miraculous changes of Ho Chi Minh City - the city named after Uncle Ho. From a land devastated by war, the city today has risen to become the leading economic, cultural and educational center of the country, symbolizing the will to rise and the strong vitality of the Vietnamese people. Veteran Nguyen Dinh Lich, Van Lang commune, Hung Ha district, emotionally shared: After 50 years of returning, we could not help but be overwhelmed by the miraculous changes of Ho Chi Minh City. The wide roads, skyscrapers, modern urban areas, all reflect the remarkable development of the city, not only in terms of infrastructure but also in quality of life. The city has kept pace with the general development of the world, achieving great achievements in many fields such as economy, culture, education.

50 years have passed since the total victory in the spring of 1975, but that spirit of victory still lives forever in the hearts of every Vietnamese person. The gratitude journey of the Thai Binh veterans is not only a profound reminder of the value of peace and independence, but also a message to today's generation: cherish the past, be grateful to those who have fallen and continue the heroic tradition with concrete actions in the work of building and defending the Fatherland. Lieutenant Colonel Dao Hong Duong, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Provincial Military Command, affirmed: This is a special journey of profound significance to the provincial armed forces. We came here to remember and show gratitude, but at the same time to affirm our determination to firmly protect the Fatherland in the new period. The revolutionary tradition is the solid spiritual foundation for the armed forces of Thai Binh province to continue to train, be ready to fight, and successfully complete all assigned tasks.

From the heroic memories of a time of war, the gratitude journey of the delegation of Thai Binh province during the historic April days has aroused national pride, reminding today's generation of the responsibility to preserve and promote the achievements of the revolution. It is not only gratitude, but also the aspiration to continue building, for a rich and powerful Vietnam.

Delegation of Thai Binh province took souvenir photo at Ben Duoc Temple.

Nguyen Thoi