50th Anniversary of the Opening of the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail

(Baonghean) -On the morning of October 12, at Squadron 137 (Region 1 - Navy Command), the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail took place.

Attending the ceremony were Rear Admiral Dinh Gia That - Deputy Political Commissar of the Navy, Comrade To Hong Hai - Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, representatives of Ha Tinh province's leaders, nearly 60 veterans and relatives of martyrs of the No-numbered ship (Ho Chi Minh trail at sea) of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces.

On behalf of the veterans of the No Number Ships, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Sin recalled the heroic memories of the No Number Ships. On October 23, 1961, the General Command of the Vietnam People's Army decided to establish the 759th Water Transport Group (the predecessor of today's 125th Brigade), which was also the day the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail was opened.

From its inception to the day of national reunification, the Ho Chi Minh Trail at sea has completely and exceptionally fulfilled its strategic support mission for the Southern battlefield with hundreds of ships setting sail, transporting thousands of tons of weapons, goods, medicine and tens of thousands of people from the Northern rear to the Southern front, directly contributing with the entire people to bring the resistance war against the US to save the country to complete victory.

On behalf of the Navy Command - Rear Admiral Dinh Gia That highlighted the great contributions of the No Numbered Ship, the glorious tradition, the will of independence, self-reliance and self-strengthening of the army and people of the whole country; the good nature, bravery and determination to fight and win of the entire Party, army and people that created the Ho Chi Minh Trail at sea, a legendary road, demonstrating the correctness, creativity and uniqueness in the art of directing the revolutionary war of the Party. At the same time, honor and acknowledge the great sacrifices as well as the great contributions of the cadres, soldiers and people of the coastal localities where the legendary transport route passed through during the resistance war against the US to save the country. The 50th anniversary of the opening of the Ho Chi Minh Trail at sea is of great significance, aiming to continue to raise the responsibility of cadres, soldiers and people of the whole country for the cause of building and defending the Fatherland, especially the implementation of the Vietnam Maritime Strategy in the new situation.

Rear Admiral Dinh Gia That speaks at the ceremony.



Veterans and relatives of martyrs of the No Number train at the meeting





Rear Admiral Dinh Gia That presented commemorative medals and donated money to build gratitude houses for veterans.



Veterans present a photo of the ship without a hull number 2, built in Nghe An, to the Navy Command.



Representatives of Nghe An Provincial Youth Union presented savings books to veterans.



Leaders of the Navy Command, Nghe An province and veterans of the No Numbered Ships at the meeting.

At the meeting, representatives of the Navy Command presented the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea medal and 20 gratitude houses (each worth 60 million VND) to veterans; the Central Youth Union presented 14 savings books to some families of veterans in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Sin, representative of veterans of the unnumbered ship fleet, presented the Navy Command with a photo of a double-hulled ship built in Nghe An while recalling heroic memories.

The celebration at Squadron 137 is the first celebration in the state-level program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the traditional opening of the Ho Chi Minh Trail at 12 locations nationwide.

A state-level rally to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail will be held in Hai Phong city on October 21.

Tran Hai - Duc Chuyen