The Battle of Quang Tri Citadel was one of the fiercest battles in the history of the Vietnam War - dubbed the "fiery summer", with unprecedented mobilization of firepower. For 81 days and nights, from June 28 to September 16, 1972, the two sides fought for every meter of land, every house. Thousands of soldiers fell in this fierce battle. On September 16, 1972, our army proactively withdrew from the Citadel after causing heavy losses to the enemy. The 1972 strategic offensive to liberate Quang Tri province was a resounding victory of great historical significance; it contributed to the decisive victory of the diplomatic struggle, forcing the US to sign the Paris Agreement, paving the way for the great victory of Spring 1975, completely liberating the South, and unifying the country.

During those 81 days and nights of fire and smoke, veteran Ngo Xuan Chinh joined the 320B Division, with the main task of communication, transferring documents and orders from the commander to the combat units inside the Citadel. Every day, Mr. Chinh and his comrades faced death countless times.

CCB Le Xuan Chinh - Thanh Yen Commune, Dien Bien District , Dien Bien: Bombs and bullets day and night, artillery from the 7th Fleet fired in, planes above, tanks below, but with the spirit of protecting the ancient citadel, all units like the 48th regiment, our regiment is a heroic regiment, the 95th regiment, all units protect day and night, when one person dies, the other stands up.

Veteran Le Xuan Chinh is also one of the soldiers in the famous photo “Smile of Victory”. The chance of this photo being taken was when he received orders from the Regiment Command to lead photographer Doan Cong Tinh of the People’s Army Newspaper into the Citadel. His radiant smile amidst the rain of bombs and bullets seemed to engrave national pride into the 20th century.

CCB Le Xuan Chinh - Thanh Yen Commune, Dien Bien District , Dien Bien: At that time, whenever we saw a journalist, we wanted to take a photo. Who knows, when this photo was published in the newspaper, when the newspaper was published, who knows, maybe our parents would recognize us and our children would still be alive. That was the moment we thought like that. So when we told the comrades to laugh, everyone laughed and he took that photo.

Through the years of war, until now, the photo taken in 1970 when he was 18 years old, right before entering the battlefield, is the only souvenir that veteran Nguyen Xuan Chien, residing in Group 10, Tan Thanh Ward, Dien Bien Phu City, still keeps. In the years 1970-1972, Mr. Chien participated in the battle in Quang Tri battlefield under the 27th Regiment. There are not many souvenirs left, but the memories of the fierce war and the heroic fighting spirit of our army at that time are always engraved in his heart.

CCB Nguyen Xuan Chien - Tan Thanh Ward, Dien Bien Phu City: Regiment 27 was assigned to defend the North of the Citadel. The mission was to enter the key position to fight and stop the enemy. One day, they ate 3 meals of rice balls, and so on for 81 days and nights. When the Paris Agreement came into effect, the soldiers could not express their happiness that they were still alive. There were times when they thought about it and even shed tears that they were still alive, but their comrades who fought and ate with them yesterday were no longer there today.

The joy, happiness and cheers of millions of Vietnamese people on the great victory day of April 30, 1975 still resound to this day. The memories of soldiers who participated in the resistance war against the US to save the country like Mr. Chinh and Mr. Chien seem to be more vivid over the years. It is not only a proud memory of one person but also the pride of the whole nation, fueling the building and protection of the Fatherland for generations of Vietnamese people in the present.

Performed by: Dien Bien Radio and Television Station