Celebrating the 61st anniversary of the opening of the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail

Art performance by veterans to welcome the traditional meeting. Photo: Thanh Chung

At the meeting, veterans who are members of the Nghe Tinh Ship No-Number Tradition Association and delegates together reviewed the heroic history and glorious feats of "Train without numberAccordingly, 61 years ago, on October 23, 1961, the General Command of the Vietnam People's Army decided to establish the 759th Military Sea Transport Group - the predecessor of Brigade 125 (Navy Command).

Delegates attending the meeting to commemorate the heroic martyrs who died for the cause of national liberation and reunification. Photo: Thanh Chung

After its establishment, from the research and reconnaissance process, in mid-August 1962, the Central Military Commission passed the Resolution "Opening strategic shipping routes at sea" -Ho Chi Minh Trail at seaFrom here, Group 759 entered a new phase of transportation.

To ensure the secrecy of the special transport route, the ships of Group 759 had to be converted into fishing boats, without fixed numbers, interspersed with and mixed with the fishing boats of local fishermen at sea. The name “Ship without numbers” was also born like that.

During 14 years of carrying out the mission, nearly 2,000 ships and boats were mobilized, traveling more than 4 million nautical miles. Group 759 transported 80,000 people, more than 150,000 tons of weapons, ammunition and tens of thousands of tons of goods, providing effective support to many battlefields.

Nghe Tinh Association of Unnumbered Ships Traditions reviews the glorious feats of the "Unnumbered Ships". Photo: Thanh Chung

The Ho Chi Minh Trail at sea and the "Train without numbers" are forever the pride of the Vietnamese Army and people, a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism, intelligence, courage, and iron will, contributing to the complete liberation of the South and national reunification.

Promoting the heroic tradition of the Ho Chi Minh Trail at sea and the “Unnumbered Ships”, the Nghe Tinh Unnumbered Ships Tradition Association was established in 1998. Over the past 24 years, the Nghe Tinh Unnumbered Ships Tradition Association has united, built and developed the association to become stronger and stronger; done a good job of comradeship; visited and helped cadres and members in difficulty.

During this meeting to celebrate the 61st anniversary of the opening of the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail (October 23, 1961 - October 23, 2022), veterans of the Ship Without Numbers recalled memories together; shared sorrows and joys of life; encouraged each other to live happily and healthily; and had many activities to educate children and grandchildren about the glorious traditions of their ancestors./.