Ta Thiet Base - A bridge between a glorious past and the present

The special national relic site of the Command Headquarters of the Liberation Army of Southern Vietnam (Ta Thiet Base) is located in Loc Thanh commune, Dong Nai province. The site witnessed many historic events, the pinnacle of which was the establishment of the Command of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign. It was also here that major policies and strategic plans were formulated and disseminated, guiding the army and people nationwide to move forward to the final decisive battle, contributing to the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country in 1975.

With its profound historical significance, Ta Thiet Base has become a “red address” of revolutionary landmarks, a place for educating younger generations about the heroic tradition of the nation’s revolutionary struggle.

Striking imprints of a glorious wartime

Looking back on history, on April 7, 1972 after the complete liberation of Loc Ninh district (in the former Binh Phuoc province), the headquarters of the Southern Command was relocated from Zone B of the Duong Minh Chau War Zone (Tay Ninh) to Ta Thiet. The base soon became the strategic center where many important congresses and conferences were held, earning it the name "the Government Forest." It also served as the venue for welcoming high-level delegations with directives consistently coordinated from the Central Government to the battlefields. From this very base, the path towards Saigon was planned, paving the way for the resounding victory of April 30, 1975.

Major General, Associate Professor, PhD Vu Quang Dao, former Director of the Institute of Military History of Vietnam under the Ministry of National Defence, noted that Loc Ninh district (in the former Binh Phuoc province) was the first locality in the entire South to be liberated. This achievement created both experience and resonance, encouraging officers and soldiers across the armed forces, as well as people in the South and the whole country. This victory also provided a springboard and valuable lessons for the armed forces of Southeastern Vietnam to continue their struggle. The liberation of Loc Ninh became even more significant when the headquarters of the Provisional Revolutionary Government and the Southern Command were relocated to Ta Thiet, where they enjoyed the trust, affection, protection, and support of the local people.

He further noted that with its special strategic location, close to residential areas and at the terminus of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the Ta Thiet Base had favourable conditions to receive and stockpile human and material resources sent from the Northern rear to support the southern battlefields.

Returning to the former battlefield, Dinh Quang Moi, a resident of Loc Thinh commune in Dong Nai province and former operations assistant of the Southern Command, could not hide his emotions. Despite his advanced age and frail health, memories of his years living and working at Ta Thiet remain as vivid as if they had just happened yesterday. He recalled that the base was once covered by primeval forest, with dense trees and thorny rattan bushes forming a natural “armour" that shielded soldiers. For him, Ta Thiet was not only a place to carry out missions but also a land that nurtured unwavering faith in victory, bearing witness to countless hardships, sacrifices, and the unbreakable bond of comradeship.

In 2015, Ta Thiet Base was restored with a total investment of more than 300 billion VND. Key components include a memorial house, a traditional house, a monument, and an exhibition area, turning the site into a centre for education and “return-to-the-root” tourism.

He said, "The time at Ta Thiet was harsh yet filled with immense pride. My comrades and I constantly faced bombs and the threat of death, but the bond between soldiers and people was unbreakable. What I remember most vividly was when we received the order to launch the general offensive on Saigon from the Politburo, the General Staff and the Central Office for Southern Vietnam, ultimately securing victory, liberating the South and reunifying the country. When we heard Duong Van Minh announce the surrender declaration over the radio, the entire base burst out emotionally; we embraced each other, unable to hold back our tears."

Returning to the root to nurture patriotism

More than half a century ago, Ta Thiet served as a revolutionary base, while today it has become a “red address” for educating younger generations about the heroic tradition of the nation’s revolutionary struggle. Upon entering the relic site, visitors still feel the atmosphere of the fierce wartime. Restored structures such as A-shaped bunkers, command trenches, Hoang Cam stoves, and thatched-roof meeting halls… reconstructed in their original form, reminded people of the sacrifices, wisdom, and determination of the army and people. Ta Thiet Base is not only a historical site but also a reminder that peace, independence and freedom were won at the cost of the blood and bones of countless generations.

Each year, tens of thousands of students visit Ta Thiet Base to study and gain firsthand experience. The “learning history from historical relics” model has proved effective, helping to revive historical memory among the younger generation.

Teacher Le Dinh Quoc from Binh Long High School for the Gifted emphasised that a visit to Ta Thiet is not a mere excursion but a journey back to the roots, helping the youth understand that independence and peace were not achieved without sacrifice. He emphasized that from the memories of Ta Thiet, both teachers and students draw greater motivation to carry on the legacy, transforming their pride into practical actions in their studies, work, and dedication.

“Learning history should not be confined to books but must be associated with vivid evidence. At Ta Thiet, students not only listen to stories but also see, touch and feel them. This is the most effective way of education, helping students deeply appreciate the merits of their forefathers, thereby nurturing their sense of responsibility towards the nation,” teacher Le Dinh Quoc shared.

Vu Nguyen Thao Dan, a national excellent student in history from class 12D11 of Binh Long High School for the Gifted, said that visiting the Ta Thiet Base was an opportunity for her to view history more objectively and vividly: "This is my first time coming to the Ta Thiet Base. I had read many books and articles about the site. I even memorised some passages, but being able to visit and listen to the explanations in person moved me deeply and gave me a better understanding of the relic. I hope such visits to ‘red addresses’ will be maintained and expanded so that more students can take part in and experience them.”

Sharing the same sentiment, Nguyen Vo Phuoc An, a student from An Loc ward in Dong Nai province, expressed his pride at setting foot in the “Government Forest”. “I was impressed by the solid system of trenches and the creativity in building the base. Seeing with my own eyes the meeting hall roofed with the thatched leaves called Trung Quan leaves, which was both fire-resistant and durable, I admired even more the resilience, ingenuity, and resourcefulness of our forefathers," Phuoc An said.

Covering 3,500 hectares in Loc Thanh commune, the Ta Thiet Base was once the headquarters of the Southern Command during both resistance wars against French colonialism and U.S. Imperialism. On December 23, 2015 the Prime Minister signed a decision recognising Ta Thiet Base as a Special National Relic Site. This is a well-deserved recognition of the historical value and the symbolic significance of this legendary land.

Throughout history, Ta Thiet Base has stood as both a historical evidence and a bridge between past and present. Once a revolutionary stronghold in wartime, it has today become a symbol of people's trust, national unity, and a red address for patriotism education. The Return-to-the-roots programs are not only opportunities for everyone, especially the younger generation, to recall the nation’s glorious history, but also foster patriotism, gratitude, and responsibility among younger generations. Through such meaningful journeys, visitors are inspired with pride in their heroic homeland of Dong Nai and motivated to contribute more actively to national construction and defence in the new era.

By: Dao Bang

Translated by: My Le – Thu Ha