Relive Hanoi's wartime memories

THE HANOI TIMES — As the country is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Reunification [April 30], veterans recalled the moments of the remarkable occasion that are engraved in their memories. 

For veteran Nguyen Van Tap, driver of the tank that crashed into the gate of Independence Palace on April 30, 1975, it was the best turn of his life.

"During the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, we had to go through many battles and travel on many winding and tough roads, but the turn that led to our tank smashing into the gate of the Independence Palace was the most beautiful in my life. It's also a crash against a pro-American government to regain independence," said Tap.

Tap was one of the historical witnesses present at the Hanoi Museum on April 9 to share the emotional and heroic stories of the collapse of the Saigon regime, the complete liberation of the South, and the reunification of the country.

"Many comrades fell, but we succeeded in breaking down the main gate of the Independence Palace, paving the way for our units to enter, capture the entire Duong Van Minh cabinet and force their unconditional surrender. We then raised the National Liberation Front flag over the palace, marking the complete victory of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign," said Tap.

The talk show "Hanoi - Will and Faith in Victory" covered the period 1954-1975 with three themes: The North - a solid rear; the air victory of Dien Bien Phu in 1972, and the Great Spring Victory in 1975 - the unification of the country.

The program told emotional stories of the war through the accounts of historical witnesses who directly participated in important events of the war for national liberation. In the emotional and proud atmosphere, the common denominator in each of the witnesses' stories is a deep love for Hanoi. Whether they were born in Hanoi or not, they all have a deep love for the capital, the heart of the whole country.

At the talk show, Dang Thi Ty (born in 1947, Dan Phuong District) said that in February 1965, she and 11 other women aged 18-19 were assigned to duty at the Day Dam, also known as the Phung Dam, to regulate water for Hanoi when the tide rose.

"When we first started practicing shooting, we found it very difficult. But at that time, all the young men were on the battlefield, while there were mainly women and children at home. So we encouraged each other to be determined to practice and to protect the Phung dam site. Because this is a very important flood diversion project to protect Hanoi," said Ty.

Such was their love for Hanoi that her third child was named Bui Ha Noi.

Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Dinh The Van was one of the special witnesses of the discussion, as he fought in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in 1954 and the "Dien Bien Phu Victory in the Air" in 1972.

He shared that the 1972 victory symbolizes courage and sacrifice as the army and people of Hanoi fought with determination to die for the Fatherland. With their strong will and excellent air defense tactics, they achieved the glorious victory of "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the Air."

"What makes Hanoi unique, distinctive, and courageous is its culture. Despite the war, bombs falling, blood flowing, houses burning, trees and grass in disarray, people dying, Hanoians always carry the sacred independence and freedom in their hearts," said Colonel Dinh The Van.

Speaking at the program, Bach Lien Huong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, said that this is an opportunity to revisit heroic memories and express gratitude to the previous generation who sacrificed for national liberation and reunification.

This will help the younger generation better understand the patriotic tradition and the steadfast and indomitable fighting spirit of revolutionary soldiers through the authentic testimony of historical witnesses.

"The capital bore a great responsibility for the cause of liberating the south and reunifying the country, always being a solid rearguard, always looking at the south with the most affectionate feelings, wholeheartedly encouraging and supporting the resilient struggle of the southern people and soldiers, and supporting the south to the final victory," said Huong.

On this occasion, the Hanoi Museum organized an exhibition to showcase valuable documents and artifacts that reflect the resilience, perseverance and undying faith of the Hanoi people in the resistance war against the French and Americans to save the country from 1954 to 1975, as well as to honor the great achievements that contributed to the victory of the nation.