Phuoc Long Victory’s historical significance highlighted at scientific conference

The Dong Nai City Party Committee (CPC), in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST), held a scientific conference on the historical significance of the Phuoc Long Victory and the preservation and promotion of local historical and cultural relics on the afternoon of October 22.

Huynh Thi Hang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC and Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Dong Nai, speaks at the conference. Photo: My Ny

The conference was chaired by Hoang Dao Cuong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Huynh Thi Hang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC and Chairwoman of the Dong Nai VFF Committee; Duong Minh Dung, Head of the CPC’s Commission for Information and Education; and Le Truong Son, Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee.

The victory’s historical and strategic significance

In his opening remarks, Head of the CPC’s Commission for Information and Education Duong Minh Dung said the Phuoc Long Victory on January 6, 1975, marked a significant turning point in Vietnam’s resistance war against the U.S. imperialism. The complete liberation of Phuoc Long provided the Party Central Committee, the Politburo and the Central Military Commission with valuable practical evidence for assessing the Saigon puppet regime's ability to respond, the likelihood of renewed U.S. intervention and the potential course of the war in South Vietnam.

Head of the CPC’s Commission for Information and Education Duong Minh Dung delivers the opening remarks. Photo: My Ny

The conference aimed not only to revisit a historic victory but also to establish a stronger scientific basis for assessing its significance and historical stature. The site commemorating the Phuoc Long Victory was identified as a historical focal point for linking and enhancing the value of historical and cultural relics in the area. The conference also assessed the management, preservation, repair, restoration and promotion of these relics, while seeking evidence-based and legally grounded solutions to support traditional education, cultural and tourism development, and the city’s socioeconomic growth.

The organizing committee received 89 submissions and selected 80 papers for publication, grouping them into three main parts: the victory’s historical value, stature and strategic significance; the formation, historical and cultural value, authenticity and interrelationships of relics in Phuoc Long; and an assessment of the current situation, together with proposed directions and solutions for preserving, restoring and promoting the value of these sites.

Major General Nguyen Hoang, former Deputy Commander of Military Region 9 and former Commander of Corps 4, presents a paper at the conference. Photo: My Ny

At the event, experts, scholars, researchers and officials discussed the historical significance of the Phuoc Long Victory and proposed ways to preserve and promote the value of local relics. They also outlined further research and management priorities to be pursued after the conference.

Toward a national-level heritage complex in Phuoc Long

In his concluding remarks, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong said the conference had further clarified the historical significance of the Phuoc Long Victory and provided a scientific and practical basis for studying how to link and elevate the system of relic sites in Phuoc Long into a unified heritage complex. The site commemorating the Phuoc Long victory would serve as its centerpiece, connecting it with surrounding sites while ensuring that each retained its own historical value and distinctive characteristics.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Dung, former Director of the Institute of Political Science II under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, speaks at the conference. Photo: My Ny

In the coming period, the MoCST will direct relevant agencies to work with Dong Nai City and provide guidance on preparing the scientific documentation and plans needed to preserve and promote the value of local relics. The city should designate a lead agency, establish timelines and clearly assign implementation responsibilities. It should also translate the conference’s findings into planning documents, projects and practical management measures, with the aim of developing Phuoc Long revolutionary heritage area that preserves its revolutionary history and serves long-term cultural and educational purposes.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong delivers the concluding remarks. Photo: My Ny

In her remarks, Huynh Thi Hang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC and Chairwoman of the city’s VFF Committee, praised the thoughtful and responsible contributions made by the participating scientists, experts and researchers. She asked the CPC’s Commission for Information and Education to review the conference findings, recommend follow-up measures and draft a concluding document for the CPC’s Standing Committee to issue. The Party Committee of the City People’s Committee was tasked with directing relevant agencies to turn the conference findings into concrete programs and plans for the relics in Phuoc Long and Ba Ra Prison.

The MoCST and the Department of Grassroots Culture were also asked to work with the city to assess the feasibility of establishing a nationally recognized heritage complex in Phuoc Long and provide guidance on preparing dossiers for the repair and restoration of relics in accordance with the Law on Cultural Heritage.

Delegates pose for a group photo at the conference. Photo: My Ny

Deputy Secretary Huynh Thi Hang emphasized that the city would use the conference findings to develop practical measures that translate historical heritage into educational value and a driving force for socioeconomic development. Preserving and promoting local relics is not only a responsibility but also an important way to educate people about the nation’s traditions, nurture revolutionary ideals and strengthen cultural identity and aspirations for development among present and future generations.

By M.Ny – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha