Victory of the power of great unity

That victory further demonstrated the strength of the great national unity bloc, as well as international solidarity. This was an extremely important factor creating the strength for our army and people to defeat the enemy known as the strongest in the world, liberating the nation and unifying the country.

Invading the South, the US imperialists carried out many war strategies with extremely sinister plots and tricks, from bribery, enticement to extremely brutal and barbaric terrorism. The enemy's purpose was to divide, prevent support and assistance from the people of the North as well as international friends to the revolution in the South, and permanently divide our country. With the tradition of solidarity and patriotism, the steadfast and indomitable fighting will of the entire people, under the wise leadership, especially the independent and autonomous domestic and foreign policies of the Party, the army and people of the whole country united as one, bravely stood up to fight, demanding that the puppet government implement the Geneva Agreement, and organize free general elections to unify the country. The struggle for just peace to realize the legitimate goal of the people of the whole country, was wholeheartedly supported and assisted by progressive friends all over the world. That success further strengthened the belief, encouraged and motivated our army and people to bravely stand up and fight.

Victory April 30, 1975. Documentary photo

In the South, although the enemy suppressed more and more fiercely, they dragged the guillotine everywhere to massacre patriots and peace fighters, but as a rule, the more the enemy suppressed, the more the people's struggle increased. The National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, then the Provisional Revolutionary Government, the Alliance of National, Democratic and Peace Forces in the South were established. The policies and platforms of the front and the Government, together with the appeal of the alliance of patriotic and peace-loving forces, increasingly consolidated the great unity of the entire people, ethnicities and religions, parties and classes, organizations, gentlemen and intellectuals... unanimously, heroically stood up to fight, overthrow the US imperialists and their lackeys, regain peace, independence, democracy and freedom for the people, and unify the country.

Soldier Bang Nguyen That (right cover) escorted Duong Van Minh to the radio station to read the surrender statement. Photo courtesy

The increasingly strong solidarity and determination to fight of the people of all classes in the South has encouraged the army and people of the North to boost production, devote all their efforts to supporting the battlefield, and always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the South to fight the enemy. The increasingly great and resounding victories of our army and people in both regions have delighted friends around the world and further increased the solidarity in fighting, the loyal attachment as well as the increasingly great support and assistance of international friends. These are extremely important factors to encourage, motivate, and increase the determination and strength for our army and people to fight and defeat all plots, tricks, and types of war strategies of the enemy.

Catholics in Ho Chi Minh City participate in a parade to celebrate the fifth anniversary of reunification on April 30, 1980. Photo: Philip Jones Griffiths

The increasingly great efforts and victories achieved in both regions, together with the wholehearted support and assistance of the people of progressive countries in the world, created the strength, position and opportunity for our army and people to launch the General Offensive and Uprising in the Spring of 1975, culminating in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign. During the process of organizing, preparing and practicing combat, the strength of the great national unity and international solidarity was developed to a new height.

The strength of the great national unity bloc was applied very creatively in selecting and successfully carrying out strategic combat methods as well as campaign fighting methods. We closely coordinated military attacks with uprisings to gain people's mastery. Closely combined military attacks with political, economic, and military struggles. Faced with the rapid, daring, and brave attacks of the armed forces, the people in the enemy-controlled areas heroically rose up to fight for power. The people also enthusiastically crossed enemy bombs and bullets, led the way, took enemy weapons, coordinated with the army to fight the enemy, mobilized puppet soldiers to lay down their weapons and return to the people, protected social infrastructure, etc. These were extremely important factors, increasing the strength of the great national unity bloc, defeating the enemy and achieving total victory.