Southeast Security Department Base: A symbol of resilience of the Eastern security forces

Alongside other nationally recognized relics of the War Zone D such as Central Bureau for Southern Vietnam base (1961–1962), Southeast Regional Party Committee Base (1962–1967), Suoi Linh Tunnels (1962–1967) - Southeast Security Department Base in Tri An Commune, Dong Nai Province, also stands as a “red address” for educating future generations about the revolutionary struggle.

Cadets of the Central Public Security School supporting Southern Security force take a commemorative photo at War Zone D, 1968. Photo: Archives

The Southeast Security Department Base marks the formation and development of the Eastern revolutionary security forces during the resistance war against U.S. imperialism for national salvation, contributing to the glorious chapter of “the arduous, yet heroic East”, nurturing the indomitable spirit of Dong Nai that remains everlasting in Vietnam’s great cause of national defense.

A nerve center in the forests of War Zone D

According to documents of the Institute of Public Security History: in mid-1960, under the directive of the Southern Regional Party Committee, the Eastern revolutionary security forces were established under the initial names of the Southern Party Committee Security Protection Department and all-level Security Protection Department. This laid the foundation for the development of the Southeastern security apparatus. In 1961, the Central Bureau for Southern Vietnam was founded to replace the Southern Regional Party Committee, with Nguyen Van Linh serving as Secretary. To strengthen leadership in each local area, in February 1961, the Eastern Regional Party Committee was established at Suoi Linh, with Mai Chi Tho as Secretary. Also in 1961, the Southeast Regional Security Protection Committee, a specialized organization responsible for monitoring the enemy situation and protecting the Regional Party Committee, was formed with comrade Nguyen Van Chi (Sau Chi), Deputy Secretary of the Regional Party Committee, as Head of the Committee, and comrades Muoi Den and Ho Thao as Deputy Heads.

At its inception, the organizational structure of the Security Protection Committee was simple, with only about 10 cadres - mainly former public security officers from the resistance war against French colonialism, supplemented by several cadres assigned from other sectors by the Southeast Regional Party Committee, along with five recruits tasked with production, guarding detention facilities, and protecting the agency. As battlefield demands grew, the unit expanded into a more structured organization with specialized subcommittees, including Political Protection, Intelligence, Internal Protection, and Armed Reconnaissance .…

As of 1963, the Southeast Regional Security Protection Department was renamed the Southeast Regional Security Department, becoming a nerve center of the regional security system. At the provincial level, between 1961 and 1962, the Security Protection Department was established in Tay Ninh, Phuoc Thanh, Thu Dau Mot, Ba Ria, Bien Hoa, Binh Duong, and Saigon…..

Representatives of leadership from the Ministry of Public Security’s professional departments, Dong Nai Police and related units conduct a field survey at the Southeast Security Committee Base Relic. Photo: Dong Nai Provincial Museum Archives

From 1961 to 1975, serving as the advisory body on security affairs for the Eastern Regional Party Committee, the Southeast Regional Security Department was not only a command center but also the venue used for hosting many key conferences and critical decisions on security operations. The Department advised the Eastern Regional Party Committee on building forces, organizing campaigns to suppress counter-revolutionaries, eliminate  hostile forces, break the grip of enemy’s control, and safeguard liberated zones. The Committee also built and directed a security system from provincial to grassroots levels.

Under the direct leadership of Party committees at all levels, the Southeastern security forces upheld the tradition of resilience and bravery, confronting head-on the professional intelligence and espionage units of U.S. imperialists and reactionary puppet forces, significantly contributing to major victories in Phuoc Thanh, Tua Hai, Dong Xoai, and Binh Gia.

Particularly, during the 1968 Tet General Offensive and Uprising, the security forces from the base closely coordinated with the armed forces to organize attacks on key enemy targets, making an important contribution to the strategic victory.

Provincial-level historical site

The fierce and courageous battles of the Southeastern public security soldiers thwarted the schemes of U.S. military intelligence and the Republic of Vietnam authority. Whether fighting openly or covertly, the Eastern public security soldiers remained absolutely loyal to the Party and the revolution, demonstrating steadfast courage, enduring great sacrifice and hardship, and contributing to the building of a regional security force that safeguarded the Party and revolutionary achievements.

On June 11, 2025, the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1890/QD-UBND recognizing the Southeast Security Department Base as a provincial-level Historical Relic. This important event paid tribute to the immense contributions and sacrifices of generations of public security officers for the revolutionary cause, and marked the 80th anniversary of the People’s Public Security Force (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025). It also enriched the list of key historical landmarks from the resistance war against the U.S imperialism, contributing to the very proud “Dong Nai spirit.”

After the Paris Agreement in 1973, the Southeast Security Department continued to play a leading role in commanding and reorganizing the security system, contributing to the defeat of the enemy counteroffensives during the dry season. It initiated the liberation of Phuoc Long and Xuan Loc, laying the foundation for the great victory of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the complete liberation of the South, and the reunification of the country in 1975.

In the course of 80-year history of the People’s Public Security force, the Southeast Security Department Base remains a vivid symbol of the spirit of staying ready to “sacrifice for the nation, serve the people” – as the eternal oath of the public security soldiers of the past. Honoring and promoting the value of this historical site is a continuation of the traditional legacy, nurturing courage, integrity, and a sense of responsibility for today’s and future generations.

 By: Nguyen Tri Nghi  

Translated by: Thu Cuc - Thu Ha