The victory of April 30, 1975 will forever be a brilliant milestone in the history of the Vietnamese people and the world.

History lesson throughout

The 1975 Spring Strategic General Offensive, culminating in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, brought our army and people to a successful end to the long-term resistance war against the US to save the country, the North and the South reunited as one, and the country was filled with joy.

It is no coincidence that the Ho Chi Minh campaign or the April 30, 1975 Victory is one of the important lessons of History throughout the General Education program from the past to the present, from Primary to High School. Students of many generations have always been taught about the great significance of the Great Spring Victory of 1975 - an important event of great international significance and profound contemporary significance, which has delighted friends and progressive people all over the world.

Ho Chi Minh campaign map. Photo archive

The victory of April 30, 1975 has entered the history of the nation as one of the most brilliant milestones in the history of building and defending the country of our people, a symbol of solidarity and heroic fighting to preserve the country, a shining symbol of Vietnamese revolutionary heroism, the pinnacle of the spirit and intelligence of the Vietnamese people.

The out of tune trumpets

Yet, in the same period of time, since April 30, 1975, until recently, there have been “discordant trumpet sounds”, discordant voices… of those who once had a “golden age” living off the US dollar, or of those who say they have taken it, lacking heart and reason. It is still the same old arguments: downplaying the role of our army by saying “because the Republic of Vietnam’s military was too weak”, saying “the North invaded the South”, and some people even consider April 30, 1975 as “The Day of National Division” (!)

There is absolutely no such thing as “Northern invasion of Southern”.”. The Vietnamese people are one, so when foreign powers (no matter what excuse) invade, kill our people, destroy our villages... we must stand up to fight them, must "cut through Truong Son" to save our people, save our nation. No Vietnamese wants to hold a gun... but the highest thing is the independence and freedom of a nation, the freedom of an individual, the unity of the whole country. That is the most sacred thing. People cannot become slaves but must fight to the end to unify the country.

Liberation Army crossed the river to enter Saigon; Captured Tan Son Nhat airport; Tanks and infantry of the 4th Corps attacked Xuan Loc town and Nuoc Trong base (Bien Hoa). Documentary photo

Also said "because the Republic of Vietnam's military was too weak”Is that right? It is true that after the Paris Agreement on January 27, 1973, especially since 1974, aid from the US and its allies to the Saigon government decreased, affecting the salary payments for their army, fuel, ammunition were not as much as before... But it was not that "the Saigon army surrendered" (!). The truth is, the Saigon army in 1973 - early 1975 was still very strong. They resisted fiercely in the Central Highlands, in Hue, Da Nang... It took our army a lot of time and blood to break through the enemy's defense line in Phan Rang (April 16, 1975), Xuan Loc (April 21, 1975). Hundreds of our soldiers fell at the gateway to Saigon, on the runway of Tan Son Nhat airport, on the attacks into the city center to capture the enemy's headquarters such as: the General Staff, the Independence Palace, the Capital Special Zone, the General Police Department.

April 30, 1975 is not the “Day of National Hatred” (!) as some people have claimed. This is the day of national reunification. For every Vietnamese, April 30, 1975 is a day of great historical significance. It is the day when the war gradually fades into the past, the country is free of invaders, and peace returns to the whole of Vietnam. It is the day of reunion: The country is reunited, the North and the South are united from Lung Cu (Dong Van, Ha Giang) to Ca Mau Cape. Hien Luong Bridge on the Ben Hai River at the 17th Parallel is only a historical relic of a time…

The moment tank 390 crashed through the main gate of the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975. Photo archive

National Reconciliation Day - World History Day

April 30 is the day of national reconciliation, each family and the whole nation reunites under the roof of Vietnam, people of the same country look in the same direction, share the same path... The Provisional Revolutionary Government soon announced a lenient and generous policy towards puppet soldiers, puppet government employees and members of reactionary parties who registered to present themselves and study well (January 28, 1976). National reconciliation resolved conflicts, eliminated hatred, liberated internal strength to enter a new era together: an era of peace, unity, independence, freedom, together moving towards Socialism, building a more decent and beautiful country...

For 30 years since the success of the August Revolution in 1945, the whole nation has fought and sacrificed to achieve complete victory, "fighting to drive out the Americans and overthrow the puppet regime", so that "North and South can reunite, what spring is happier than this"...

People took to the streets to welcome the liberation army entering Saigon on April 30, 1975. Photo: Archive

The victory of April 30 was a victory of Vietnam's internal strength, of the national cultural tradition, of the talented and creative leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and our Party, and at the same time, of the wholehearted support and assistance of international friends, of fraternal socialist countries, of progressive people around the world, including the American people.

Vietnam’s victory on April 30, 1975 shocked the world because Vietnam’s opponent at that time was the most powerful country in the world. At that time and in the following years, speaking about the victory on April 30, 1975, foreign newspapers made many comments, emphasizing: “Vietnam is resilient and brave”… The New York Times also commented that Vietnam’s victory on April 30, 1975 was “A historic day for the world”.

Only after experiencing the years of war and witnessing the division of the country can we see the great significance of the April 30 victory, and fully appreciate the value of the years of peace and the unity and integrity of the Fatherland. For a peaceful life and territorial integrity, the entire nation waged a 30-year resistance war. Therefore, more than anyone else, the Vietnamese people cherish these days and the achievements gained after 33 years of national renovation in the context of a peaceful country and stable society.

Ho Chi Minh City today. Photo archive

The spirit of victory on April 30 is encouraging us in the work of building and defending the country today. The will to fight and win urges us not to accept poverty, backwardness, and slow development. Creativity, boldness, surprise, and seizing opportunities help our Party lead the entire people to turn challenges into opportunities, turn the situation around, overcome difficulties, stabilize, and make the socio-economic picture increasingly brighter... And furthermore, the lesson from promoting the strength of national harmony and solidarity tells us to continue to have policies to encourage talents, tap the resources of the whole society, and take better care of social security issues...

The further the war recedes, the more we preserve and promote to the fullest the spiritual values ​​that the April 30 victory day brings, so that the nation will forever be peaceful and prosperous, standing shoulder to shoulder with friends around the world.

The further the war recedes, the more we preserve and promote to the fullest the spiritual values ​​that the April 30 victory day brings, so that the nation will forever be peaceful and prosperous, standing shoulder to shoulder with friends around the world.