Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates light candles to pay tribute to heroic martyrs at Hang Duong Cemetery - Photo: VNA

This is a program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Con Dao (May 1, 1975 - May 1, 2025) directed by the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committee, coordinated by Vietnam Television and Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and many leaders of the Central Government, provinces and cities of the Southeast region attended, along with the presence of 600 former political prisoners from across the country, as well as a large number of people from Con Dao.

Con Dao: A sacred and heroic land in the middle of the East Sea

Half a century has passed since Con Dao was completely liberated, but the tragic memories, indomitable spirit and resilient will of the elite people here still endure with time.

Opening performance of the program Con Dao - Heroic song of Vietnam's will. Photo: DONG HA

The program Con Dao - Heroic Song of Vietnam's Will is organized not only to pay tribute to previous generations, but also to engrave in the hearts of each person today the sacred Con Dao - a place that used to be "hell on earth", but is also a shining symbol of patriotism, indomitable will and aspiration for freedom.

The sacred scenery of Hang Duong Cemetery and songs about revolution, freedom, and heroine Vo Thi Sau moved many people.

Stories about the days of imprisonment by the enemy of former political prisoners make many people love freedom, peace, an independent homeland, and a unified country more.

Con Dao - has long evoked in many Vietnamese people tragic and sacred emotions. Because this is the place where many patriotic soldiers were imprisoned, people with great ideals in their hearts, ready to sacrifice for freedom.

But amidst the prison, Con Dao not only has chains and pain, but also has a resilient spirit, immortal heroic songs echoing from the dark prison.

Former political prisoners watch a program in Con Dao on the night of May 3. Photo: DONG HA

And among the countless stories of struggle, the image of Vo Thi Sau - the first death row prisoner here, the heroine who went to the execution ground with a proud smile - has become a shining symbol of the spirit of Con Dao.

Revolutionary soldiers, communists, people who love Vietnam and freedom have turned Con Dao from a dark prison into a great revolutionary school. And in that prison, love still blossoms, life still grows.

Performance of the song "Grateful to Ms. Vo Thi Sau" in the program. Photo: DONG HA

The value of freedom, independence, and a unified country

Today, Con Dao has risen to become a green pearl in the middle of the East Sea. Con Dao is not only an outpost of the Fatherland, but also a land rich in potential, with fresh, beautiful natural scenery, with eternal historical values ​​of the nation.

Coming to the program, viewers will understand more deeply the value of freedom and independence through the stories told by former political prisoners in Con Dao.

A group of young people presented a reconstructed photo of martyr Nguyen Minh - who died in Con Dao in 1961 - to his son and grandson. Photo: DONG HA

The moral of drinking water and remembering its source is spread through the story of Nguyen Chi Hien (born in 1976, from Binh Dinh) looking for his grandfather Nguyen Minh - a revolutionary soldier who died in Con Dao prison in 1961.

A group of young people used technology to restore a photo of martyr Nguyen Minh to present to Nguyen Chi Hien's family on stage.

In his closing remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent his sincere gratitude and regards to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, Heroes of the Armed Forces, veteran revolutionaries, and former political prisoners.

The Prime Minister affirmed that Con Dao is a manifestation of patriotism and a burning desire for freedom and independence.

"Despite all the insidious tricks, the harshest and most brutal torture and forced labor, revolutionary soldiers and patriotic compatriots still shine with integrity, steadfastly fight for the country, for independence and freedom, becoming noble symbols of patriotism and heroism of the Vietnamese people" - the Prime Minister emphasized.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the program. Photo: VGP

Talking about the development of Con Dao today, the Prime Minister noted that the island is increasingly reviving with a new vitality with a system of seaports and modern, well-invested infrastructure. The people's lives have been improved, creating a solid foundation for a new stage of development.

Con Dao, once a "hell on earth", is now considered by the world to be a "tourist paradise" for exploring and experiencing ecology.

"The heroic history of Con Dao is not only to be kept in memory but also to be a responsibility, pride and become strength and motivation to continue to develop the homeland and country even stronger.

The Party and State always pay attention to and create all conditions for the comprehensive development of places with special meaning and value such as Con Dao to be worthy of the merits and sacrifices of our predecessors and generations of fathers and brothers," the Prime Minister affirmed.

Singers and dancers perform in the program. Photo: DONG HA

Dance group reenacts the liberation day of Con Dao 50 years ago. Photo: DONG HA

DONG HA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thu-tuong-du-chuong-trinh-con-dao-hung-ca-y-chi-viet-nam-20250503233704722.htm