PART 5: THE HEROIC SPIRIT OF DONG NAI
During the resistance war against American imperialism for national salvation, the army and people of Dong Nai - the “hardship-stricken yet heroic” eastern region -always placed themselves in the close solidarity with fellow compatriots across the nation. Together, they achieved resounding victories, contributing to making the South “the Fatherland's iron bulwark”, joining forces with the entire Party, the people, and the army nationwide in the struggle that ultimately led to total victory and the joyful reunification of North and South.
 |
| Party General Secretary To Lam and Party and State leaders, both current and former, offer incense at the Memorial Stele House for revolutionary soldiers who sacrificed their lives at Ba Ra Mountain, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Phuoc Long (January 6, 1975 – 2025). Photo: VNA |
Patriotism fuels determination and willpower
Although under the control of the Saigon administration, the people of the South in general, and Dong Nai in particular, maintained a profound love for their homeland, unwaveringly supporting the revolution and fighting for national elections and the reunification of the country.
Cultural researcher Nguyen Van Quyet, M.A., Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association of Dong Nai Province, shared: “The people of Dong Nai witnessed colonialists and imperialists deliberately seizing their homeland, forcing them into slavery or military service. Yet, the people resolutely refused to follow them, except for a few who were captured and coerced. The heroic revolutionary soldiers, even when brutally tortured, would rather die than betray the cause. Today, the Tan Hiep Prison Historical Site in Dong Nai still stands as one of the enduring witnesses to this dark chapter of war”.
Throughout 21 years of resistance against American imperialism, to defeat the army that was considered “the most elite military force in the world”, the decisive factor was the brilliant and strategic leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, led by President Ho Chi Minh, who outlined the correct revolutionary path, directing and organizing the entire army and people to fight and ultimately triumph. The 15th Plenum of the Party Central Committee (Second Tenure), held from January 13 to 22, 1959, made this clear: “Outside of the revolutionary path, there is no other road to liberation”.
Landmarks engraved in the nation’s history
During the resistance war against the American imperialism, the Eastern Region, of which the majority comprised areas of the former Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc provinces, held a strategic position. It served as the base for main force units, a strategic corridor for revolutionary forces, and an important receiving point for troops, weapons, and supplies transported from the North along the legendary journey to “split the Truong Son Mountain Range to save the nation”. Throughout different periods of history, the Eastern Region underwent multiple administrative changes, including the merging and separation of provinces under various names. However, places such as Phuoc Long, Bien Hoa, Xuan Loc, Loc Ninh – Hon Quan, and Chon Thanh have been etched into the nation’s history, forever a source of pride, filled with glory, for the tradition of revolutionary heroism.
Especially, the Central Office for South Vietnam chose War Zone D – the Ma Da forested mountains, an area located at the intersection between the former Dong Nai Province and the former Binh Phuoc Province – as a revolutionary base during the period 1961–1962. This was also the headquarters of the Eastern Nam Bo Regional Party Committee during the period 1962–1967.
Stationed in an area with a strategic position, the army and people of the Eastern Region bravely endured numerous fierce bombardments from the enemy; they heroically clung to the land and forests, fought tenaciously, held their positions, and continuously expanded the liberated zones.
People’s Armed Forces Hero Le Duy Chin (a resident of Tri An Commune) - who achieved many remarkable feats on the Eastern battlefields during the resistance war against the American imperialism for national salvation - is now 95 years old, but when sharing about the hardship-filled, yet fierce years of struggle of our army and people, he still speaks with unfading pride: “We fought an enemy many times stronger than us, enduring brutal bombardments and relentless raids, but our soldiers never wavered. At that time, it was only our love for the Fatherland, our willpower, and our determination to defeat the American invaders that helped us overcome every hardship. Facing the harsh and ferocious battlefields of the Eastern Region, we always remembered Uncle Ho’s teaching: “…For Independence, for Freedom / Strike to drive the U.S. away, strike to topple the puppet regime / Forward, soldiers and compatriots / When North and South reunite, no spring will be happier!…”.
50 springs after the Liberation of the South and the Reunification of the country, on July 1, 2025, during the revolution of restructuring and streamlining the organizational apparatus of the Party and the State, the two provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc - which have long shared the same geographical location, climate conditions, soil characteristics, cultural identity, and once “stood shoulder to shoulder” on the fierce Eastern battlefield - have officially “come under the same roof”, joining hands to build a bright and prosperous future together.
Echoing heroic victories
Among the many heroic feats of the army and people of Dong Nai, there are outstanding victories that clearly demonstrate their heroic spirit.
With courage and boldness, the revolutionary forces in Dong Nai “fired the first shot”, launching the opening attack against the Americans on the night of July 7, 1959, at the Nha Xanh Villa compound in Bien Hoa, resulting in the deaths of the first two U.S. military advisors on the Southern battlefield.
Amid the great Southern uprising in the early 1960s was the glorious victory in Phuoc Long (now part of Dong Nai Province). In June 1960, the Southern Region Party Committee decided to establish Phuoc Long Province. During the two months of June and July 1960, through offensive attacks and uprisings, the army and people of Phuoc Long destroyed numerous land development zones and enemy outposts along Route 14, liberating an additional 3,000 residents in the newly established Phuoc Long Province.
The first artillery bombardment on the enemy’s military airbase in Bien Hoa on the night of October 31, 1964, was bold and unexpected, engulfing the entire Bien Hoa Airbase in flames. The attack shocked the international community, boosted the morale of the army and people nationwide, and was praised by President Ho Chi Minh with his famous verse: “Renowned across the five continents/ Mortar shells rain down, shattering the Americans’ heads”. This raid marked an important breakthrough in both combat quality and combat effectiveness, serving as a milestone that signaled the beginning of the unique and innovative tactics of the B2 Artillery Regiment - also known as the “Bien Hoa Artillery Brigade” - which proudly carried the tradition: “Bronze feet, iron shoulders, good combat, accurate shooting”.
A heroic Eastern Region showcased its resolute and indomitable spirit during the Phuoc Long – Dong Xoai Campaign, which took place from June 10 to July 22, 1965. This campaign was like a “powerful blow”, causing the Saigon main force troops to suffer heavy losses, leaving them increasingly confused, demoralized, and weakened in combat spirit. At the same time, it demonstrated the comprehensive growth and maturity of the revolutionary main force army, which proved capable of neutralizing the formidable firepower of the U.S. military.
With the Nguyen Hue Campaign in April 1972, our main offensive direction was along Route 13, with the decisive battlefield located in the Loc Ninh – Hon Quan area. This was the largest corps-level campaign up to that time. The Saigon regime’s army was extremely terrified by our powerful firepower and the first-ever appearance of Liberation Army tanks on the Southern battlefield.
All the people stood united and in solidarity, wholeheartedly supporting the revolution. Despite countless enduring hardships and sacrifices, the people across the entire country, including the people of Dong Nai and the Eastern Region, were always ready to give up everything in support of the revolutionary cause.
Cultural Researcher, M.A. NGUYEN VAN QUYET,
Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association of Dong Nai Province
In particular, the Phuoc Long Campaign in late 1974 and early 1975 held tremendous significance, being regarded as our “strategic reconnaissance strike” and also as the “warning bell signaling the impending collapse of the Saigon regime”. January 6, 1975 became a historic milestone in the nation’s struggle against U.S. imperialism when Phuoc Long became the first province to be liberated.
During the Spring 1975 General Offensive and Uprising, at the Dau Tieng – Chon Thanh front, the entire former Binh Phuoc Province was liberated on March 23, 1975. At the Xuan Loc front, the revolutionary forces fought fiercely and resiliently for 12 days and nights, smashing the enemy’s “last steel gate” and opening the path for the revolutionary army to advance triumphantly toward Saigon.
Worthy continuation of the revolutionary cause
The revolutionary spirit of the August 1945 Revolution, “attacking like a storm” and “seizing the opportunity”, was inherited and developed into “Rapidly, more rapidly - Boldly, more boldly” and “One day equals twenty years” during the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign of 1975, which liberated the South and reunified the country.
Looking back at the lessons learned from history, every citizen deeply remembers and cherishes the immense gratitude owed to the Communist Party - the leader and organizer of all the victories of the Vietnamese Revolution - and to President Ho Chi Minh, the founder, leader, and trainer of our Party. Throughout the immortal epic of national pride, every citizen perceives more clearly the value of great national unity, which is the source of strength that has enabled the country to rise to new heights.
In the days when the entire nation looks forward to the grand celebration, People’s Armed Forces Hero Le Duy Chin emotionally shared his heartfelt message: “80 years since the founding of the nation, 50 years of peace and reunification, having the independence and freedom we enjoy today is an immeasurable happiness. As a soldier who came out of those arduous years of resistance, I hope and always believe that the younger generation will uphold the revolutionary spirit, carry forward the heroic traditions of the Vietnamese people, worthily continue the revolutionary cause of our forefathers, and actively contribute to building and defending the Fatherland…”.
As the years go by, the “hardship-stricken yet heroic” spirit of the Eastern Region has become increasingly affirmed and fostered in the construction and development of the homeland, driving Dong Nai to become a shining star on the nation’s economic map. And now, this spirit will be even more profoundly embodied in the ongoing effort to “reorganize the land”, as the people stand united and step together into a new era of the nation’s history…
By: Lam Vien
Translated by: Quynh Nhu - Thu Ha
Thông tin bạn đọc
Đóng Lưu thông tin