Tazeen Akhtar
48 years ago, the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising, culminating in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, achieved complete victory. April 30, 1975 went down in the history of the nation as a brilliant milestone, leading our country into a new era, an era of national independence and socialism.
In late 1974 – early 1975, realizing that the comparison of forces in the South was changing rapidly in favor of the revolution, the Central Political Bureau of the Party set out a plan to completely liberate the South in 1975 and 1976.
At 5 p.m. on April 26, the army fired the first shots to open the campaign, five of the army’s wings crossed the enemy’s defense line to advance into the center of Saigon, capturing their headquarters. At 10:45 a.m. on April 30, the tanks and infantry entered the Independence Palace, arresting the entire Saigon Cabinet, Duong Van Minh, who had just taken office as president on April 28, had to declare unconditional surrender to our army. By 11:30 a.m. the same day, the revolutionary flag flew over the Independence Palace, signaling the complete victory of the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign.
In this background “Pakistan in the World” Interviewed H.E. Mr. Nguyen Tien Phong, Ambassador of Viet Nam on the occasion of 49th anniversary of the Liberation Day of the South and the reunification of the country. Here it is the interview in question answer format for the information of our readers.
Q- What is the historical significance of the Dien Bien Phu Victory and the Geneva Agreement?
A- Throughout history, first and foremost, I would like to share the historical significance of the Victory of Dien Bien Phu and then the Geneva Agreement.
Historical significance of the Dien Bien Phu victory:
Firstly, it was the pinnacle of the resistance war against French colonialism, creating the basic and decisive basis for the signing of the Geneva Agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Viet Nam.
The Dien Bien Phu victory marked the end of the stubbornness and aggression of the French colonialism and American imperialism at the conference table, forcing the French Government and the participating parties to sit at the table and sign the Geneva Agreement. (except the US) stopped fighting in Viet Nam on July 21, 1954. This is also our decisive victory on the diplomatic front, enhancing Viet Nam’s position in the international arena, contributing to ending the war of invasion by the French colonialism in Viet Nam.
Second, open a new revolutionary period, bring the North to socialism, and serve as a solid base for the struggle to completely liberate the South and unify the country.
The Dien Bien Phu victory led to a successful end to the resistance war against the French colonialism, creating fundamental changes in all fields: economy, politics, military, culture, diplomacy… .for the Vietnamese revolution and opened a new period: the North moved towards socialism, the South continued the people’s national democratic revolution. The achievements in building socialism as well as the contributions of the Northern rear to the great Southern front line have strengthened the confidence of the people of the two regions in the final victory of the resistance war.
Promoting the spirit of the Dien Bien Phu victory – “independence, self-reliance, determination to fight, determination to win”, creatively applying Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s thought, we have achieved many great victories, defeated the war strategies of the US imperialism and its vassal army, liberated and unified the country, and led the whole country towards socialism.
Third, affirming the Party’s correct and creative resistance line and the growth and maturity of the Viet Nam People’s Army.
The Dien Bien Phu victory has proven the truth: In today’s era, a small country with a slow-developing economy can still defeat any enemy, even one with much greater economic and military potential, if it has a genuine Marxist-Leninist party leading it with the correct political and military line, and if it can mobilize the strength of the entire nation and gain the sympathy and support of the world’s people.
The historic Dien Bien Phu victory also demonstrated the remarkable growth of the Viet Nam People’s Army. From 34 soldiers with rudimentary weapons in 1944, under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, our army has grown stronger and stronger, and has matured with each battle. This was the foundation for the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army to later fully promote revolutionary heroism, to be confident, to dare to fight, to know how to fight, to be determined to fight and to defeat the American invaders, to completely liberate the South, and to unify the country.
Fourth, ending the domination of French colonialism in the three Indochinese countries, marking the beginning of the collapse of the old colonialism on a global scale.
The Dien Bien Phu victory awakened and inspired oppressed peoples around the world to rise up and fight for independence and freedom; forced the French government to end its colonial rule and grant independence to many countries in Asia and Africa; and to reconsider its position and policies towards its former colonies.
Viet Nam was a pioneer, a shining symbol in the movement for national liberation, defeating the old colonialism, opening a new chapter in human history, and contributing to changing the world situation.
Guyon Rocha, a journalist and historian, and a former colonel in the French expeditionary force, stated: “Dien Bien Phu’s fall caused a terrible shock throughout the world. O’Auteuil had not previously made such a noise. It was one of the greatest defeats of the West, heralding the collapse of the colonial empires and the end of a republic”
Historical Significance of Geneva Agreement
The Geneva Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities in Viet Nam, along with the Preliminary Agreement of March 6, 1946, and the Paris Agreement of 1973, became the three most important diplomatic documents in the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism of our nation.
The Geneva Agreement marked the end of a stage in the long and arduous struggle for national independence and freedom. The signing was based on and somewhat reflected the correct correlation of forces between us and the enemy on the battlefield, but “signing the Geneva Agreement was timely, ending the resistance war against France was appropriate, reflecting the correct comparison of forces on the battlefield and the international situation at that time”.
Dien Bien Phu Victory of Vietnam Echoes, 70 Years on………………
The Geneva Agreement is an important international legal document. For the first time, the basic national rights of Viet Nam were recognized by major powers at a multilateral conference.
France and the countries participating in the conference “committed to respect the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity”, “absolutely not to interfere in the internal affairs” of Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia. France was forced to cease hostilities and withdraw all troops from the territory of the three Indochinese countries.
Nearly 20 years later, the Paris Agreement of 1973 reaffirmed these important legal bases: “The United States and other countries respect the independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Viet Nam as recognized by the 1954 Geneva Agreement on Viet Nam”.
Together with the Dien Bien Phu victory, the Geneva Agreement ended the long and heroic resistance war of the Vietnamese people against the invading French colonialism and American interventionists, liberating the North of our country, creating conditions for building the North into a large, strong rear base for the struggle to liberate the South and reunify the country in 1975.
The Geneva Agreement demonstrated the mettle of Vietnamese revolutionary diplomacy. Participating for the first time in a multilateral conference in the context of a complex world situation, the major countries participating in the conference all had their own goals and interests, but our negotiating delegation capitalized on the victory on the battlefield, promoted the just cause of the nation, and was steadfast in principle but flexible in tactics to achieve important results at the conference table.
Q- What Viet Nam will commemorate on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory?
A- Viet Nam will solemnly organize a national parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. In addition, in cities across the country, movements will be launched to mobilize the strength of both the political system and the people in order to successfully achieve the goals and tasks of economic, cultural, and social development.
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Q- Almost Half Century after Historical Re-Unification & Independence, Where the State of Viet Nam is standing? I mean what is the spirit of the new generation now? They are carrying the same spirit as were their heroes of Re-Unification?
A- As I mentioned above, the victory on April 30th, 1975 will forever be a shining milestone in the history of nation-building and preservation for the Vietnamese people. Every year, as the anniversary of the historic event approaches, which marked the complete liberation and reunification of the country’s southern region, every patriotic citizen shares a common sentiment and a sense of pride in Viet Nam’s glorious and magnificent triumph.
For the younger generation, born after the liberation day and living in peace, the imprint of the April 30th victory remains indelible and serves as a driving force to live, work, and contribute in a manner worthy of the noble sacrifices made by our previous generations.
In the subconscious of many young people, they forever proud and grateful for the great sacrifices made by heroic fighters for the cause of national liberation and reunification. They are even prouder and have full confidence in the correct, insightful, and talented leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, as well as in the indomitable spirit of Vietnamese army and people.
The 1954 Geneva Agreements – A historic milestone of Vietnam’s diplomacy – Article by Mr. Bui Thanh Son, Foreign Minister
With pride and unwavering belief, the young generation of Viet Nam continue to uphold the revolutionary heroism, self-reliance, self-strength, and all-people unity. They are determined to strive and successfully fulfill all targets and tasks according to the Party’s guidelines and orientations.
This is clearly demonstrated through vibrant activities of Municipal and provincial Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union such as Determined to Win Emulation Movement, Candlelighting ceremony for Heroes and Martyrs, Advanced youth follow President Ho Chi Minh’s wills, Study and follow President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and style, Youth toward/ Youth act for the country’s sea and islands journey, “Building the value of Vietnamese youth model in the new period” campaign.
History is not only what has passed but also a teacher that teaches young generations to appreciate the present and nurture the future by utilizing their youthfulness and intellect to integrate into an increasingly prosperous and powerful national environment. We will achieve the lofty goals set by the Party: a prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, fairness, civilization, and steady progress towards socialism.
Q – 30 April 1975 is the day of the reunification of Viet Nam, please share a brief history of the day with our readers?
A- On the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the Liberation Day of the South and the reunification of the country, I would like to share about the victory on April 30, 1975 as follows.49 years ago, the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising, culminating in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, achieved complete victory.
April 30, 1975 went down in the history of the nation as a brilliant milestone, leading our country into a new era, an era of national independence and socialism. From now on, our entire Party, our entire people, and our entire army will concentrate our strength and intelligence on healing the wounds of war, building a new life, and building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.
The victory of April 30, 1975 is a great achievement in the cause of national liberation, social liberation led by our Party and President Ho Chi Minh; it is a heroic, brilliant page in the thousands of years of history of our nation’s construction and defense.
Our army and people have defeated the most powerful and ferocious enemy of progressive mankind; gloriously ended the 30-year struggle for independence, freedom, and reunification for the Fatherland; ended more than a century of domination by old and neo-colonialism in our country; it is a typical victory of the world revolutionary forces, contributing to promoting the struggle of the world’s people for the goals of national independence, peace, democracy, and social progress; encouraging and motivating the nations that are carrying out the cause of national liberation, against neo-colonialism throughout the world.
In late 1974 – early 1975, realizing that the comparison of forces in the South was changing rapidly in favor of the revolution, the Central Political Bureau of the Party set out a plan to completely liberate the South in 1975 and 1976.
The Politburo emphasized that “the whole of 1975 is an opportunity” and pointed out that “if the opportunity comes at the beginning or end of 1975, then immediately liberate the entire South in 1975”.
The Politburo also emphasized the need to seize the opportunity to win quickly in order to reduce human and material losses for the people, preserve the economic infrastructure, cultural works, and reduce the devastation of war.
After the victory of our army in the Tay Nguyen Campaign and the Hue – Da Nang Campaign, the Politburo assessed: “the strategic opportunity has come, we have the conditions to complete the determination to liberate the South soon” and made the decision: “must concentrate the fastest forces, military equipment, and materials to liberate the South before the rainy season”, at the same time, the campaign to liberate Saigon-Gia Dinh was decided by the Politburo to be named “the Ho Chi Minh Campaign”.
Before attacking to liberate Saigon, our army attacked Xuan Loc and Phan Rang, which were important defensive bases of the enemy to protect Saigon from the east.
At 5 p.m. on April 26, our army fired the first shots to open the campaign, five of our army’s wings crossed the enemy’s defense line to advance into the center of Saigon, capturing their headquarters.
At 10:45 a.m. on April 30, our tanks and infantry entered the Independence Palace, arresting the entire Saigon Cabinet, Duong Van Minh, who had just taken office as president on April 28, had to declare unconditional surrender to our army.
By 11:30 a.m. the same day, the revolutionary flag flew over the Independence Palace, signaling the complete victory of the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign.
The great victory of the spring of 1975 demonstrated the intelligence and military strategy of our Party in leading and directing the revolutionary war, as well as demonstrating the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people in the struggle against foreign invasion.
The victory ended the domination of imperialism and the feudal regime in our country, completed the people’s national democratic revolution, unified the country, and at the same time opened a new era for the nation, the whole country advancing towards socialism. This victory has gone down in the history of our country and the world, as a brilliant page in the 1970s of the 20th century, with profound international and epochal significance.
Q- What lessons this day conveys to the new generations of Viet Nam?
A- First lesson: Strive to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors.
The historic victory on April 30, 1975 is a shining milestone in the history of our nation, marking the triumph of the Vietnamese army and people. The memories that “go along with the years” are always a source of pride for our ancestors as they are part of the glorious history of our nation.
For the younger generation, living in peace, the imprint of Victory Day has become a motivation to live, work, study, and contribute in a way that is worthy of the great sacrifices made by our previous generations and the aspirations of President Ho Chi Minh:
“Whether Viet Nam becomes beautiful or not, whether the Vietnamese people step onto the stage of glory to stand shoulder to shoulder with powerful nations around the world, largely depends on the education and learning of future generations of our country.”
Second lesson: Trust in the wise and visionary leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, and uphold the spirit of national unity to achieve the goals of national development and protect our homeland.
Every Vietnamese citizen remains eternally proud and grateful for the immense sacrifices made by our heroes, the generations of our forefathers who fought valiantly for the independence, freedom, and unification of our homeland.
We are filled with pride and confidence in the wise and brilliant leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, in the indomitable spirit and intelligence of our people and our military. Every Vietnamese citizen vows to continue upholding revolutionary heroism, the spirit of self-reliance, self-strengthening, and national unity, determined to rise up and successfully achieve economic, social, defense, and security development targets.
INTERVIEW Ambassador Nguyen Tien Phong : “Viet Nam is a friend, a trusted partner and a responsible member of the international community”
