On April 24, 2025, in the joyful atmosphere of the whole country celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, those who were cadres and soldiers of the Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee Office during the resistance war against imperialism had an emotional return. Returning to Sa Lon - the place that was once the Provincial Party Committee base, where many years of hardship, blood and comradeship were nurtured in the deep forests and mountains. Returning is not only a geographical journey, but a journey of the heart - returning to the place where they entrusted their youth, blood, tears and belief in independence and freedom.

“Fifty years later I came back to visit…”

Starting with the solemn and emotional greetings of Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung - Head of the Provincial Party Committee Office Liaison Committee during the resistance war against imperialism, the atmosphere of the ceremony was brought closer by the touching lines of poetry written by a comrade who was moved when he returned to Sa Lon:

"Fifty years later I came back to visit again

The war zone forest is still green and endless.

The nine-bend stream remains faithful through the years

The water of the Salón River still ebbs and flows.

It is difficult to put into words the emotions of the children with gray hair, trembling hands, but still bright eyes when they set foot on the old place. Among the white hair, the faces marked by time, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Lua - former cadre of the Provincial Women's Union, now 85 years old, stands out with a checkered scarf draped over her shoulder, her short hair as white as frost. She has a strong figure, her back is slightly bent due to age, her steps are slow but her eyes are still bright and her voice is still warm and firm. "I was afraid I would not have the chance to return", she said, gently squeezing the checkered scarf. At that time, Mrs. Lua was in charge of the Women's Union work in the base area, every day crossing forests and streams to mobilize people to support the revolution, organizing the hiding of cadres, transporting rice, salt, and medicine to the Provincial Party Committee office. She also directly participated in digging secret tunnels, acting as a liaison, delivering news between revolutionary bases in the deep forest. The work was hard and dangerous, but she never faltered. “Because I believe the revolution will win, believe the country will have peace one day,” Mrs. Lua said quietly, her eyes shining with a faith that has endured for more than half a century. She looked up at the forest in front of her, where the old agency camp used to be: “I remember every tree, every slope. The forest is still green now, but so many people from the past are gone…” Mrs. Lua’s wrinkled, sunburned face flashed a smile. The smile was not for the present, but for a time of youth that spared no blood and bones, for those who had left, and for herself – the one who still had the strength to return to tell the story.

Among the faces returning to the Sa Lon base, Mr. Nguyen Van Hien - the former guard - still retains his strong features under his weather-beaten hair. Now 72 years old, Mr. Hien joined the revolution in 1968, coming from a mass base in the base area. Gradually maturing in the movement, he was assigned the task of being a bodyguard, directly protecting the Provincial Party Secretary during the fierce years of bombs and bullets. Not only taking on the important responsibility of a bodyguard, Mr. Hien also participated in logistics work: every day worrying about each handful of rice, each jar of water, building tents, supplying rice and salt to the leadership agency stationed in the middle of the deep forest.

During the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign, he was mobilized to participate in opening the campaign path, digging the ground, building bridges, clearing mines, transporting food, traveling day and night, just hoping for a day of total victory. "There were nights when I held my breath to listen for even the slightest noise. Every road, every tree I passed bore the traces of my brothers", he recalled. Currently living in Phan Rang, whenever he has the opportunity to recall the past, Mr. Nguyen Van Hien's eyes still shine with quiet pride. In the middle of the green forest of Sa Lon today, his figure still stands straight, like the indomitable years of a generation that devoted their whole lives to the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.

The day of return, not just to look back

The old Sa Lon base - once the place where the Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee stood the longest during the arduous years of resistance - has now been restored and embellished, becoming a red address in the journey of historical gratitude. Every meter of land here has been soaked with the blood, sweat and bones of many cadres and soldiers. Many people sitting here today once carried rice, carried radios, dug tunnels, and went to get salt in enemy territory. Many people once directly protected the agency, protected the Provincial Party Committee leaders - with their own lives.

The meeting was not only a reunion, but also a gratitude. More than 80 comrades sacrificed their lives in the resistance war. And since the country's reunification, more than 55 people have quietly passed away. Many people, such as Luong Minh Chau, Mai Hoang Dai... contributed to finding this very Sa Lon base, but did not have time to return. The moment of silence in the sacred forest made the whole meeting quiet. The sound of the stream and the wind in the forest suddenly turned into the calls of the deceased - calling out the names of their comrades, calling back to a time of youth when they did not retreat before bombs and bullets.

The day of return is not only to look back. It is also an opportunity to witness the transformation of the homeland. From the land that used to be the southernmost war zone, Binh Thuan today has become the southern growth pole, with sea tourism, modern economy, and developed infrastructure. The atmosphere of the meeting was solemn when comrade Dang Hong Sy - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee - on behalf of the provincial leaders delivered a speech of gratitude. He emphasized that it was this sacrifice and dedication that contributed significantly to the victory of the resistance war, contributing to the liberation of the homeland exactly half a century ago. And today, many of them - although retired - continue to contribute their efforts and intelligence to the development of the homeland. That is the pride not only of the uncles and aunts and their families, but also the honor of the entire Party Committee and the people of the province.

Comrade Dang Hong Sy also shared about the encouraging changes of Binh Thuan province after 50 years of liberation: Stable economic growth, GRDP in 2024 increased by 7.25%, budget revenue exceeded the estimate; administrative reform index, people's satisfaction both increased dramatically. These achievements - he said - have the shadow and merit of previous generations. In his conclusion, he expressed his belief in the continuation of tradition: "I hope that the former cadres and soldiers of the Provincial Party Committee Office will continue to promote tradition, set good examples, encourage their children and the community, and together build their homeland more and more prosperous". The applause resounded, not only as a compliment for the speech, but also as a silent thank you, a pride, an echo of history sent to today.

The meeting ended with tight handshakes, tearful eyes, and hugs that did not want to let go. The bus rolled away from Sa Lon, leaving behind the green forest and the whispers of the past. But in everyone’s heart, it seemed like time had stopped there – where Sa Lon was not only a place name, but also a part of the soldier’s soul, an unforgettable memory of a time of revolution.

Sa Lon - not just a place name. Sa Lon is where time stands still. Where memories come alive in every breath, every tree branch, every stream sound. A place that anyone who has ever passed through - will always carry in their hearts.