1. In front of me is a stack of time-worn newspapers called the People's Army (QĐND). Half a century ago, printing techniques were still difficult, the words, photos, and maps printed on the newspapers were not as sharp as they are today, but the presentation style, the article titles were still eye-catching and especially the propaganda information about the Victory Day event of April 30, 1975 was extremely sharp, timely, vivid, and attractive to readers.

On the issue of the People's Army Newspaper published on Thursday, May 1, 1975, the front page was framed in bold red. On the left, right below the newspaper's cuff, was the headline "The historic campaign named after the great Uncle Ho has been completely victorious", next to it was a photo of "Uncle Ho with the heroes and warriors of the South" presented solemnly, prominently, rich in political meaning and full of pride. The most impressive thing on page 1 was the large, prominent red headline: "Ho Chi Minh City has been completely liberated" and the editorial entitled "The pinnacle of glorious victory". The map depicting the 5 wings of the Liberation Army with a bold red arrow advancing into Saigon to surround the puppet government's Presidential Palace, along with the liberation flag flying on the roof of the Independence Palace, was presented in an easy-to-understand manner, attracting viewers.

The most attractive article in this issue is the editorial "The pinnacle of glorious victory". These are political lines written tightly, coherently, concisely and filled with the excitement and pride of the victors: "The miraculous revolution of our nation has reached a great historical moment. On April 30, 1975, at exactly 11:30 a.m., the great victory flag of our compatriots and soldiers flew over the Presidential Palace of the puppet government, signaling that Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City, resplendent with its golden name, had been completely liberated. The enemy had surrendered unconditionally. The last American invaders had left our country. The puppet army and government had collapsed... The campaign named after President Ho Chi Minh liberated Saigon with complete victory!"...

On the front page of the People's Army Newspaper (issued on May 1, 1975), there was bold information about the Victory Day of April 30, 1975.

The words of political speech have a strong appeal like "waves crashing, waterfalls pouring" into the hearts and minds of readers, making anyone moved with honor and pride for our soldiers and compatriots after 30 years of long-term fighting with countless hardships and sacrifices. Commenting on the significance of the Liberation Day of the South on April 30, 1975, the editorial wrote: "The victory of our nation has an epochal significance; is a brilliant victory of the correct revolutionary line and the wise leadership of our Party and the great President Ho Chi Minh; is a victory of the art of skillful war direction, far-sightedness, determination, boldness, knowing how to create opportunities, seize opportunities to win the greatest victory; is a victory of the whole country joining hands to fight the enemy with the will to win and win completely". The editorial concludes with the bright belief of the entire Party, people and army in the bright future of the nation: "Our nation is growing up with historical achievements, determined to bring the Vietnamese revolution forward with new spirit and new strength in a new glorious period!"

The jubilant atmosphere of victory and the joy of the entire nation were vividly expressed in the People's Army Newspaper on May 1, 1975 through the outstanding articles: "This morning is extremely beautiful" (essay by Dan Hong), "5 p.m. April 30: Hanoi welcomes the news of a great victory" (quickly recorded by the reporter), the photo series "The joy of victory on the streets of the capital" by Le Dieu-Nguyen Thanh-Khac Xue. Along with that were hot news: "Puppet President Duong Van Minh announced unconditional surrender", "Phoenix, Kissinger announced the defeat of the US in the war of aggression against Vietnam", the review article "Through Western news agencies: Saigon, April 30"...

2. Following the mainstream of information on Victory Day, April 30, 1975, the People's Army Newspaper, issued on May 2, 1975, continued to highlight this event with the entire page 1 framed in bold red along with information filled with jubilant atmosphere: "The general offensive and uprising was completely victorious", "Morning of May 1: The entire South was completely liberated, all remaining enemy military forces surrendered", "In Hanoi, a solemn rally to celebrate May 1, celebrating the extremely great victory of the whole country, Prime Minister Pham Van Dong read the opening speech", the military commentary "The miraculous development of the general offensive" by author Chien Thang. Pages 2, 3, 4 are hot news: "Congratulations on the great victory of our people", "The world congratulates our people on the complete victory", "Hanoi in the joy of great victory"...

The joy of victory, like an endless flow, continued to be deeply reflected in the issue of the People's Army newspaper published on May 3, 1975, in which the front page had the following outstanding news: "Congratulations on the great victory of our people", "The People's Armed Police force enthusiastically promoted emulation to celebrate the great victory of the South, implementing Uncle Ho's Testament, and excellently completing the mission" and the poem "Total victory is ours" composed by poet To Huu on May 1, 1975, which included the following passage: "Oh, this afternoon, the sun is absolutely beautiful/ Oh Uncle Ho! Total victory is ours/ We come, the green light of steel/ The city named after you is splendid with flags and flowers"...

The spirit of victory on April 30, 1975 spread inspiration and belief to everyone, every household across the country, and was promptly and enthusiastically reflected by the People's Army Newspaper in the following issues, expressed in prominent information solemnly posted on the front page, such as: "Emulation to win to celebrate the great victory of the South" (issue dated May 4, 1975); "Communication of the Command of the People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of South Vietnam: The great historical victory of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign" and the editorial "Great feat" (issue dated May 5, 1975); commentary "Glorious victory, liberating many islands in the sea of ​​the Fatherland" (issue dated May 6, 1975); "Directive of the Central Party Secretariat on the national holiday celebrating the great victory of the nation" and the editorial "Celebrating the Dien Bien Phu Victory - The Strength of Vietnam" (issue dated May 7, 1975)...

3. Thus, within just one week (from May 1 to 7, 1975), the People's Army Newspaper published dozens of news, photos, and articles every day, vividly reflecting and propagating the arduous journey of fighting, heroic sacrifices, and the great and glorious victory of our army and people in the resistance war against the US to save the country. Through phrases such as: "The pinnacle of glorious victory", "miraculous revolution", "extremely great victory", "total victory", "great victory", "historic victory", "great feat"... associated with the April 30, 1975 Victory, it shows the acumen, dedication, talent, and intelligence of the People's Army Newspaper journalists in portraying the message of this particularly great event.

Half a century ago, working conditions and journalism were extremely difficult. Therefore, the hot news and timely, sharp reviews, comments and editorials published in the People's Army Newspaper about the April 30, 1975 Victory event are not only valuable as military chronicles of the Ho Chi Minh era but also a valuable and useful source of journalistic history for generations of journalists and soldiers today and tomorrow.

Looking back, re-reading, and reflecting on the journalism time of our fathers and brothers in the resistance war against the US to save the country in general and in the April 30, 1975 Victory event in particular is also a way to return to our roots, to show gratitude to history, to show gratitude to our fathers and brothers - the journalists-soldiers who contributed their efforts, intelligence, and strength silently to help beautify the golden history of the nation's great victory, to shine forever.

THIEN VAN

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Source: https://baodaknong.vn/lan-truyen-tinh-than-chien-thang-va-niem-tu-hao-dan-toc-251149.html