The spirit of the Declaration of Independence – Vietnam rising into a new era (Part 3)

On the morning of September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh solemnly read the Declaration of Independence – an immortal epic that shattered the chains of colonial and feudal slavery, gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, granted the people independence, freedom and happiness to implement the aspiration of national strength, advancing into a new era, the era of the nation’s rise.

Leader Nguyen Ai Quoc and the cadre delegation bid farewell to the people of Pac Bo (Cao Bang) to leave for Tan Trao (Tuyen Quang). Photo: Truong Ha

The spirit of the Declaration of Independence was lit by President Ho Chi Minh from the revolutionary cradle of Pac Bo, Cao Bang (1941-1945) – a “red address” in the journey of National liberation. Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television (DNNRTV) proudly presents a five-article series titled: “The spirit of the Declaration of Independence – Vietnam rises into a new era”, portraying the history of struggle for national liberation ignited by President Ho Chi Minh at Pac Bo, Cao Bang, leading to the sacred moment of reading the Declaration of Independence and the enduring lessons for building and defending the nation in the new era.

Part 3: From Pac Bo to Tan Trao – The autumn epic of independence

Sitting by the clear Lenin stream, Vi Thi Thoa, a tour guide at the Pac Bo Special National Relic Site (Cao Bang), slowly recounted: For nearly five years (1941-1945), leader Nguyen Ai Quoc built the revolutionary base, developed the Viet Minh movement, trained cadres, organized armed forces, and nurtured the aspiration for independence. By May 1945, as the global situation shifted and Japanese fascism was on the brink of defeat, “a once-in-a-thousand-year opportunity” had arrived. Leader Nguyen Ai Quoc decided to leave Pac Bo for Tan Trao (Tuyen Quang) to directly command the general uprising.

Map of the journey of leader Nguyen Ai Quoc and the delegation of cadres from Pac Bo (Cao Bang) to Tan Trao (Tuyen Quang). Photo: Truong Ha

Thoa paused, her eyes glowing with pride. Amid the mountains and forests of Pac Bo, I seemed to hear Uncle Ho footsteps echo, marking the beginning of the historic journey from Pac Bo to Tan Trao – the epic that opened the autumn of independence for the nation.

The journey from Pac Bo to Tan Trao – a decision that changes the nation’s destiny

In May 1945, as the world situation changed rapidly, the national liberation movement in Vietnam surged. Leader Nguyen Ai Quoc clearly saw the “once-in-a-thousand-year opportunity.” He decided to leave Cao Bang – the cradle of the revolutionary movement in the new phase – for Tan Trao (Tuyen Quang), the new central revolutionary base, to directly join the Party Central Committee in preparing for the general uprising.

Ha Van Ton, from Tong Chieu hamlet, Phuong Vien commune (formerly Bac Kan province, now Thai Nguyen), son of revolutionary veteran Ha Van Tuong, recalled how his father, a Viet Minh cadre, once received a secret letter from leader Nguyen Ai Quoc to change the working delegation’s route when Japanese troops were patrolling on May 16, 1945. Photo: Truong Ha

At the entrance to Pac Bo village, Thoa pointed out: Right here, on the morning of May 4, 1945, Uncle Ho and a delegation of revolutionary cadres bid farewell to the villagers to leave for Tan Trao. Everyone was reluctant to part, filled with fondness and attachment. Villagers gave them clothes, canvas shoes, hats, scarves, rice and rice balls for the journey.

Following Uncle Ho’s historic journey, today, we took a car from Pac Bo (Cao Bang) to Tan Trao (Tuyen Quang) in just half a day. But in May 1945, Uncle Ho and the delegation of cadres spent 18 days traversing over 400 kilometers through 10 districts of Cao Bang, former Bac Kan and Tuyen Quang, with 13 overnight stops. The road was treacherous, high mountains, deep rivers, and many sections close to enemy posts, especially Phja Booc mountain range shrouded in fog and wilderness with wild beasts. To evade Japanese patrols, the group traveled by night and hid in forests by day. Despite their poverty, ethnic groups such as Nung, Tay, Dao, and Mong sheltered and protected them, placing absolute trust in leader Nguyen Ai Quoc and the revolution, helping the delegation reach Tan Trao safely and on time for the historic moment.

Hoang Thang Bac, former Head of Ba Be district Party Committee’s Propaganda Department, recalled the memories of his father, comrade Hoang Van Dam, provisional Chairman of the Viet Minh in Trung Vuong district, about the afternoon of May 13, 1945, when they welcomed Uncle Ho upon his arrival. At that time, the Viet Minh movement there had already spread widely, establishing a provisional Committee since March 30, 1945. Uncle Ho instructed comrade Vo Nguyen Giap to gather the people at Tong Luyen to address them. When asked about new currency and the French and Japanese weapons, Uncle Ho gently explained: in order to win power, the people must unite under Viet Minh and prepare for the uprising. Although the French and Japanese troops had modern weapons, they could not defeat the united people, guerrilla tactics, and international support. Uncle Ho’s words, “Modern weapons are no match for the united people,” became a guiding principle forever remembered by people.
 

Upon their arrival at Nghia Ta commune (formerly Bac Kan, now Thai Nguyen), leader Nguyen Ai Quoc and the working delegation stay at the house of Ma Van Khang (also known as Thai Bo) in Na Pay, Na Kieng hamlet. Photo: Truong Ha

On May 16, 1945, when the working delegation passed Ban Pit, they were suddenly met with Japanese gunfire. Comrade Dinh was pursued to raise the alarm. Leader Nguyen Ai Quoc promptly directed the delegation to disperse into the Khuoi Luong forest, then follow the forest path to Lang Van Quan’s house for lunch, about 3 kilometers from Cho Don. There, Uncle Ho instructed the Viet Minh to strengthen the great unity bloc. Comrades Ha Van Tuong and La Dinh Soi received Uncle’s secret letters, delivered them safely to Ly Quy’s house in Duong hamlet, and returned before the delegation resumed its journey.

At every location that Uncle Ho and his working delegation passed through, locals secretly guarded their resting places, guided them through forests, and diverted spies. This voluntary and absolute protection stemmed not only from affection but from complete faith in the Party and revolution, ensuring the group’s safe arrival in Tan Trao.

Tan Trao – the heart of the general uprising

We arrived at the Tan Trao Special National Relic Site (Tuyen Quang), where under the bright afternoon sun, tour guide Lo Thi Mai welcomed us warmly and said: On May 21, 1945, the Party Central Committee and Viet Minh General Committee also gathered in Tan Trao. Tan Trao quickly became the revolutionary headquarters, the capital of the liberated zone, and the convergence point of the national movement. Before Uncle Ho’s arrival, this place had already become a secure revolutionary base. The entire Son Duong district, including Tan Trao commune, was under Viet Minh control, with a provisional Revolutionary Committee in place while the people were brimming with revolutionary fervor. Everything was ready for Uncle Ho to set up a safe headquarter to prepare for the nationwide uprising.

Leader Nguyen Ai Quoc and delegation of cadres arrived in Tan Trao, Son Duong, Tuyen Quang province, working and staying at the house of Nguyen Tien Su until the end of May 1945. Photo: Truong Ha

From May to August 1945, in a small palm-leaf hut in Na Nua forest of Tan Trao, the burning desire for independence guided leader Nguyen Ai Quoc and the Party Central Committee as they made the right decisions and seized the “once-in-a-thousand-year” opportunity to launch the general uprising. Local people were brimming with revolutionary fervor. Some houses hosted agencies in charge of printing newspapers, others radio transmitters or Liberation Army units, respectively. Every household in the village served as lodging for the delegates attending the National Congress. An anti-Japanese fascism training school was opened, and Kim Long field became the site to receive aid dropped by Allied planes to the Viet Minh Front.

In the village, Viet Minh Front organized cultural and educational activities at the “National Salvation House” near Tan Trao banyan tree, led by Tran Thi Minh Chau: plays, singing, bonfires, literacy classes. A new future unfolded, something villagers under French and Japanese rule had never seen, now longing for the day of seizing power.

On Na Nua mountain, a “General uprising command center” was formed. Besides Uncle Ho’s hut, there were huts for allies, radio, guards, and national conferences. Despite simple working conditions, leader Nguyen Ai Quoc and the Party Central Committee issued bold, timely, and wise decisions. He closely followed international and domestic developments, maintained contact with Allies, and received weapons and ammunition to strengthen the Viet Minh force.

The Tan Trao National People’s Congress issues the order for a general uprising, resounding across the country

Following Mai, we went from Na Nua hut to Tan Trao communal house – where in the autumn of August 1945, the “Dien Hong Conference” of the new era took place. She explained: On August 12, 1945, amid the favorable international context and ripe domestic situation, leader Nguyen Ai Quoc proposed convening a National Party Conference in Na Nua forest (August 14-15, 1945). After making thorough analysis, the conference confirmed: “The opportunity for independence has come,” and decided to launch the general uprising to seize power before Allied forces arrived. A National Uprising Committee was formed, headed by Truong Chinh. Immediately after that, Ho Chi Minh signed the Order for General Uprising. The appeal affirmed: "The conditions for an uprising were ripe. A very good opportunity for us to gain independence had come.” On August 13, the Committee issued Military Order No.1, commanding a nationwide uprising. From the small communal house, the cry “Independence! Independence!” echoed across Tan Trao’s mountains and forests, becoming a rallying call for the entire nation.

Hoang Ngoc, son of revolutionary veteran Hoang Trung Nguyen, who served as liaison for leader Nguyen Ai Quoc in Tan Trao. Photo: Truong Ha

Hoang Ngoc, son of revolutionary veteran Hoang Trung Nguyen, who served as liaison for leader Nguyen Ai Quoc in Tan Trao. Photo: Truong Ha

The Tan Trao National People's Congress opened at the communal house from August 16-17, 1945, with the participation of 60 delegates from all social groups, ethnicities, and overseas Vietnamese. It ratified the General Uprising Order, the 10 major policies of Viet Minh, and elected the National Liberation Committee headed by President Ho Chi Minh. On the afternoon of August 16, under the Tan Trao banyan tree, comrade Vo Nguyen Giap, on behalf of the Uprising Committee, read Military Order No.1. The Liberation Army then marched, first liberating Thai Nguyen and advancing toward Hanoi. On the morning of August 17, the National Liberation Committee was inaugurated, with Ho Chi Minh reading the oath before Tan Trao communal house: “Even if we must sacrifice our last drop of blood, we will never retreat. We swear.”

From the Conference held in Huong Cang (now Hong Kong, China) on February 3, 1930, marking the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, to the revolutionary flame at Pac Bo in 1941, it was an arduous yet glorious journey, reflecting leader Nguyen Ai Quoc’s strategic vision. It was a thorough preparation in terms of ideology, political line, organization, and forces, seizing the revolutionary opportunity and culminating in the victory of the August Revolution in 1945, which gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. LE VAN YEN, Member of the Editorial Council, National Political Publishing House.

Mai emotionally shared: “That oath moved more than 20 million hearts, urging the entire people to rise. Within just half a month, from August 14 to 28, 1945, across the Northern, Central, and Southern regions, people rose like a storm, joining the armed forces to seize power.” In Hanoi on August 19, tens of thousands of people joined protests to seize control of the government. This was soon followed by victories in Hue, Saigon, and other provinces across the country. By August 30, power was entirely in the hands of the people.

Tan Trao was the place that issued the historic command, turning the aspiration for independence into action. The August Revolution was the triumph of great national unity under the Party’s banner and President Ho Chi Minh, putting an end to centuries of colonial rule and opening an era of national independence and freedom. Standing under the Tan Trao banyan today, the oath and the cry of “Independence” from years ago still echo. From this place, the entire nation rose to seize its destiny, making the autumn of 1945 an immortal epic in Vietnam’s history.”

By: Truong Ha

Translated by: M.Nguyet-Thu Ha