Over thousands of years of history, the Vietnamese people have left their mark with glorious victories, demonstrating patriotism, indomitable will, and creative intelligence. Battles such as Bach Dang, Nhu Nguyet, Dong Bo Dau, and Chi Lang - Xuong Giang are not only military victories but also symbols of courage and determination to protect national independence.

Battle of Bach Dang (938): Symbol of National Rebirth

Ngo Quyen, born in 897 in Duong Lam village (now Son Tay town, Hanoi), is one of the outstanding heroes in Vietnamese history. From a young age, he was imbued with the spirit of patriotism from his homeland and family, where his father, Ngo Man, once held the position of Duong Lam Governor.

In 938, Ngo Quyen led the army and people of Dai Viet to defeat the Southern Han army on the Bach Dang River, ending more than 1,000 years of Chinese domination and opening a new era of independence and autonomy for the country. In the context of the collapse of the Tang Dynasty, the feudal groups of the North continuously fought for power and sought to expand to the South, where Vietnam was the main target.

The Southern Han King, Liu Yan, with his expansionist ambitions, invaded our country twice. The first time in 930, the Southern Han army captured Dai La, but was quickly defeated by Duong Dinh Nghe. In 937, after Duong Dinh Nghe was assassinated, Kieu Cong Tien asked for help from Southern Han, creating an opportunity for the second invasion.

Ngo Quyen, with his intelligence and courage, quickly defeated Kieu Cong Tien, and at the same time prepared for the resistance against the Southern Han army. He mobilized the people to cut wood, sharpen it, cover it with iron, and plant underground stakes on the Bach Dang River. When the Southern Han army led by Crown Prince Liu Hong Thao advanced, Ngo Quyen used a diversionary tactic, luring the enemy into the stakes when the tide was high, then suddenly attacked when the tide receded.

As a result, the enemy fleet was pierced by sharp stakes and sank. The Southern Han army was almost completely destroyed, and Liu Hongtao died in battle. The victory happened so quickly in one day that the Southern Han king had no time to react and had to retreat in panic.

The Bach Dang victory in 938 was not only a great military event but also an important milestone in Vietnamese history, marking the end of the Northern domination and the beginning of a long period of independence. Ngo Quyen, with his great contributions, was honored as the "reviving father" of the nation, the one who restored and affirmed the legitimacy of Vietnam.

In the spring of 939, Ngo Quyen proclaimed himself king, established the capital at Co Loa, continued the tradition of the Hung Kings and Thuc Kings, and opened a new page in the history of the nation. Historian Le Van Huu praised Ngo Quyen in "Complete Annals of Dai Viet" that: "The former Ngo King was able to use the newly raised army of our Viet nation to defeat the million troops of Liu Hong Thao, established the country and proclaimed himself king, making the Northerners not dare to come again."

Battle of Nhu Nguyet (1077): Heroic Song of National Independence

At the end of 1076, after the heavy defeat at Ung Chau, the Song Dynasty decided to invade Dai Viet with the ambition of territorial expansion. Under the command of Tong Than Tong, the Song army mobilized a powerful force of 100,000 elite soldiers, 10,000 war horses and 200,000 porters, led by Quach Quy and Trieu Tiet, to enter our country through two routes: the land route from Lang Son and the sea route to Bach Dang River.

Ly Thuong Kiet, a talented general of Dai Viet, accurately predicted the enemy's strategy. He did not block the enemy right at the border but proactively built a defense line on the Nhu Nguyet River (Cau River), taking advantage of the rugged terrain to wear down the enemy's strength. Ly Thuong Kiet also deployed a navy commanded by General Ly Ke Nguyen to prevent the enemy's navy from joining forces with the infantry.

In January 1077, the Song army crossed the Nam Quan Pass and entered Dai Viet. However, when they reached the north bank of the Nhu Nguyet River, they had to stop before the strong defense line of the Ly army. The Song navy was continuously blocked at the coastal area and could not advance deep to support.

The Song army tried many times to cross the river to attack but were fiercely counterattacked and pushed back by the Dai Viet army. After two failed attacks, the Song army fell into a miserable situation, lacking food and fighting equipment, and the soldiers were tired and discouraged.

Realizing that the opportunity had come, Ly Thuong Kiet organized a fierce counterattack. He sent twenty thousand troops from Van Xuan up the Nhu Nguyet River to attack Quach Quy's defense line. The battle was fierce, more than half of the Song army was destroyed, the rest fled in chaos.

To strengthen the soldiers' morale, Ly Thuong Kiet sent people to the temple of Truong Hong and Truong Hat, pretending to be gods and reciting the poem "Nam Quoc Son Ha", considered the "First Declaration of Independence" of Vietnam. The poem affirmed the sovereignty of the Southern country, encouraging the fighting spirit of our army and people.

The mountains and rivers of the Southern Kingdom belong to the Southern Emperor,

Absolutely determined in the book of heaven.

As the rebellious come to invade,

You all should act in a way that will not be defeated.

Roughly translated:

"The mountains and rivers of the South, where the King of the South resides,

Fate is clearly determined in the book of heaven.

Why did the bandits come to invade?

You will be beaten to a pulp.

Faced with an unfavorable situation, the Song army was forced to retreat in the dark of night, ending the invasion in failure. The victory at Nhu Nguyet not only firmly protected the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Dai Viet but was also one of the great battles in the history of the nation's resistance to foreign invasion. Ly Thuong Kiet, with his talent and excellent strategy, became the pride of the Vietnamese people, causing the Song Dynasty to not dare to invade our country for the next 200 years.

Battle of Dong Bo Dau (1258): Resounding Victory Over the Mongol Empire

In the 13th century, the Mongol Empire under the leadership of Genghis Khan became a powerful force, expanding its territory from Asia to Europe. After conquering Dali, the Mongols continued to expand southward, with Dai Viet being an important target in their invasion plan.

In 1257, the Mongol general Ngo Luong Hop Thai asked the Tran Dynasty to lend the Mongol army a road to attack the Song Dynasty, but King Tran Thai Tong firmly refused and imprisoned the envoy. Facing the threat of invasion, the Tran Dynasty made careful preparations, strengthened its military, and was ready to fight back.

In December 1257, Ngo Luong Hop Thai led his army across the border and entered Dai Viet. Faced with the strength of the Mongol cavalry, the Dai Viet army and people under the command of King Tran Thai Tong implemented the "empty house and garden" strategy, strategically retreating to preserve their forces and waiting for the opportunity to counterattack.

On January 17, 1258, the Mongol army advanced to Binh Le Nguyen, but was fiercely blocked by the Dai Viet army. Faced with the strength of the enemy cavalry, King Tran Thai Tong decided to retreat to Phu Lo, creating conditions for our army to consolidate its forces.

At Dong Bo Dau, the Mongol army camped, but food supplies were exhausted and morale was low. Realizing that the opportunity had come, King Tran Thai Tong and generals such as Tran Quoc Tuan, Tran Thu Do, and Le Tan decided to counterattack. On the night of January 28 to 29, 1258, the Dai Viet army suddenly attacked, destroyed, and pushed back the Mongol army.

The Battle of Dong Bo Dau ended with a resounding victory for the army and people of Dai Viet. Ngo Luong Hop Thai was forced to withdraw his troops to Dai Ly in a humiliating defeat. This victory not only firmly protected national independence but was also the first defeat of the Mongol Empire in its long campaign to conquer the world.

With the victory of Dong Bo Dau, Dai Viet affirmed the truth that a small but united and intelligent country can completely defeat a powerful empire. This is a source of pride and a valuable lesson about patriotism and the indomitable fighting spirit of the Vietnamese people.

Battle of Bach Dang (1288): Triumphal Arch on the River of History

In the spring of 1288, the Battle of Bach Dang went down in history as one of Vietnam's greatest naval battles, completely defeating the third invasion of the Yuan army. Under the command of the retired Emperor Tran Thanh Tong, King Tran Nhan Tong and the National Duke and Commander Tran Hung Dao, the people of Dai Viet dealt a fatal blow to the mighty army of the Yuan empire.

At the end of 1287, the Yuan army under the command of Tran Nam Vuong Thoat Hoan, with a force of up to 92,000 soldiers and 500 warships, advanced into Dai Viet. However, the Tran Dynasty king and mandarins cleverly implemented the "empty house and garden" strategy, retreating from Thang Long, putting the Yuan army in a difficult situation due to lack of food and facing harsh weather.

Meanwhile, the Yuan army's food transport fleet was destroyed by King Nhan Hue Tran Khanh Du at the battle of Van Don, making the enemy army even more miserable. Faced with the unfavorable situation, Thoat Hoan decided to withdraw his troops to China, but he did not expect that he was falling into the trap that Tran Hung Dao had set.

On March 30, 1288, Thoát Hoan ordered Ô Mã Nhi and Phạn Tiếp to lead the navy to retreat first. However, this fleet was continuously blocked by Đại Việt troops, forcing them to advance down to the Bạch Đằng River, where the ambush site had been carefully prepared.

On the morning of April 9, 1288, when the tide was high, the Tran army pretended to lose and run away, luring the enemy into the underground stake field. When the tide receded, O Ma Nhi's fleet hit the stakes, was cornered and attacked by Dai Viet troops from both banks. As a result, hundreds of warships were destroyed, tens of thousands of Yuan troops were killed or captured, including many important generals such as O Ma Nhi and Phan Tiep.

The Battle of Bach Dang was not only a resounding military victory but also a symbol of patriotism, intelligence and solidarity of the Vietnamese people. This victory affirmed the strength and indomitable will of Dai Viet, forcing the Yuan Empire to abandon its ambition of invasion.

After the victory, the retired Emperor Thanh Tong and King Nhan Tong held a ceremony to honor the heroes who contributed to this glorious victory. In front of the tomb of King Thai Tong, Tran Nhan Tong was moved to write two verses: "Xa tac luong hoi lao thach ma/ Son ha thien co dien kim au", expressing his pride and gratitude to those who sacrificed for the country.

The Battle of Bach Dang in 1288 will forever be a heroic page in history, a source of pride for the Vietnamese people, affirming the truth that a small but united and resilient nation can defeat any enemy, no matter how powerful.

Battle of Chi Lang – Xuong Giang (1427): Triumph of Lam Son Rebellion

"Corpses filled the streets, blood flowed red in the water" - the words in "Binh Ngo Dai Cao" by Nguyen Trai have engraved deeply into the minds of the Vietnamese people about the glorious victory at Chi Lang - Xuong Giang. This was the decisive battle, ending the war of national liberation under the leadership of hero Le Loi in the early 15th century.

Chi Lang, a dangerous pass in Lang Son, was the site of many glorious victories in the history of the nation's resistance against foreign invaders. In October 1427, the Ming army decided to mobilize a large reinforcement force to enter Dai Viet through two routes: Lieu Thang led 100,000 troops from Guangxi to Lang Son, while Moc Thanh commanded 50,000 troops from Yunnan to Lao Cai. Their goal was to surround and destroy the main force of the Lam Son insurgents at Dong Quan.

Faced with the critical situation, Le Loi and Nguyen Trai skillfully applied the tactic of "surrounding the city and destroying reinforcements", focusing on destroying Lieu Thang's army first, while restraining Moc Thanh's army. On October 8, our army under the command of Tran Luu and Le Boi lured the enemy into an ambush at Chi Lang. Here, Lieu Thang was destroyed by our ambush, the enemy army panicked, their formation was in disarray and more than ten thousand were destroyed.

After Liu Sheng was killed, the Ming army continued to be fiercely blocked at Can Tram and Xuong Giang. On November 3, our army launched a general attack, destroying and capturing more than 60,000 enemy troops, including all commanding generals. Moc Thanh's army was also pursued and defeated at the border.

In just 27 days, the Lam Son insurgents completely destroyed two reinforcements of the Ming army, forcing Vuong Thong to surrender and withdraw his troops. The victory at Chi Lang - Xuong Giang not only regained independence and freedom for the country but also proved the ingenious military art of the Lam Son insurgents.

The Battle of Chi Lang – Xuong Giang has gone down in history as a symbol of patriotism, intelligence and solidarity of the Vietnamese people. This feat will forever be a source of great pride, a valuable lesson in military art, providing us with a basis for research, development and creative application in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland today.

Battle of Rach Gam – Xoai Mut (1785): Triumphal Arch on the Tien River

The Battle of Rach Gam - Xoai Mut, which took place on the night of January 18-19, 1785, was one of the largest naval battles in the history of the Vietnamese people's resistance against foreign invaders. Under the skillful command of Nguyen Hue, the Tay Son army defeated 50,000 Siamese troops and thousands of Nguyen Anh's native troops, leaving a deep mark in the Tay Son uprising.

At that time, Nguyen Anh, after many defeats against the Tay Son army, asked for help from the Siamese army. The King of Siam, with his expansionist ambitions, sent 50,000 troops and 300 warships to enter our country. The Siamese army, under the command of Chieu Tang and Chieu Suong, committed many crimes in Gia Dinh land, causing resentment among the people.

Nguyen Hue, with his sharp strategic vision, decided not to confront the enemy directly at Tra Tan base but to lure them out of their defensive position and draw them to a terrain that was favorable to us. He chose the My Tho River from Rach Gam to Xoai Mut as the decisive battleground, where the Tay Son army could take advantage of the terrain to ambush and destroy the enemy.

With careful preparation, Nguyen Hue arranged naval and infantry forces to lie in ambush on both sides of the river and on the islands. When the enemy fleet entered the battlefield, the Tay Son army suddenly attacked from both ends, forcing the enemy into a siege. Cannon fire from both sides of the river and on Thoi Son island fired heavily at the enemy formation, causing them to panic and fall into disorder.

In just one day, the Tay Son army destroyed nearly 40,000 Siamese troops and thousands of Nguyen troops, sinking all enemy warships. The victory at Rach Gam - Xoai Mut not only wiped out the invaders from Gia Dinh land but also shattered the Siamese king's ambition for the southernmost territory of our country.

This victory demonstrated the military genius of Nguyen Hue, the "plain-cloth" hero of the nation. He skillfully used the strategy of annihilation, combining navy, infantry and artillery, creating a perfect battle in both strategy and tactics.

The Rach Gam - Xoai Mut battle brought the Tay Son movement to a new height, taking control of the entire Dang Trong region and creating conditions to advance to Dang Ngoai, overthrowing the feudal domination of the Le King - Trinh Lord group, re-establishing national unity and protecting national independence.

Battle of Ngoc Hoi – Dong Da (1789): Triumphal Song of Spring of the Year of the Rooster

The Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da victory in 1789 was one of the most glorious feats in the history of the Vietnamese people's resistance against foreign invaders. Within just the first 5 days and nights of the Spring of the Year of the Rooster, from the night of the 30th of Tet to noon of the 5th of Tet (January 25-30, 1789), under the outstanding leadership of the cloth-clothed hero Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue, our army and people swept away 290,000 Manchu invaders from our country, firmly maintaining national independence.

Previously, in July of the year Mau Than (1788), the Queen Mother of the Le Dynasty went to the Qing Dynasty to ask for help to restore Le Chieu Thong. The Qing Emperor Qianlong immediately mobilized soldiers from the four provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Guizhou to enter our country. On November 22, 1788, the Qing army divided into four columns and rushed into Dai Viet, but did not encounter any resistance due to the delaying tactic of Ngo Thi Nham, a shrewd strategist of Nguyen Hue.

Ngo Thi Nham advocated retreating to preserve his forces, while nurturing the arrogance and subjective thinking of the Qing army. Upon receiving the urgent news, Nguyen Hue calmly prepared for a counterattack. He mobilized all his troops in Phu Xuan to march straight to the North, stopping in Nghe An to recruit more soldiers, raising the total number of troops to 100,000, divided into 5 camps.

With a lightning-fast strategy, Quang Trung organized a large military parade in Nghe An, then continued to march to the North. He sent a letter pretending to surrender to Ton Si Nghi, causing the Qing army to be complacent and neglect defense. On the way, Quang Trung held the "Oath of Allegiance" ceremony in Tho Hac, Thanh Hoa, encouraging the soldiers' spirit with strong declarations, expressing the will for independence and self-determination and the determination to destroy the invaders.

When arriving at Son Nam town, Quang Trung divided the Tay Son army into five columns, attacking the Thang Long area. The main column commanded by Quang Trung attacked directly the enemy's main defense system in the south of Thang Long. The other columns coordinated attacks from many directions, creating a siege and dividing the enemy army.

On New Year's Eve of the year of the Rooster, while the Qing army was indulging in a banquet, the Tay Son army suddenly attacked and destroyed the enemy's outpost at Gian Khau. The enemy army panicked, broke down and fled. Quang Trung ordered a fierce pursuit, broke through the enemy's defense line, and advanced to Phu Xuyen, more than 30 km from Thang Long.

At midnight on the third day of Tet, the Tay Son army secretly surrounded Ha Hoi fort, scaring the Qing army into surrendering. On the morning of the fourth day of Tet, Ton Si Nghi received urgent news, but it was too late. The Tay Son army had fully assembled, ready for the decisive battle to destroy Ngoc Hoi fort.

With the strategy of surprise and complete annihilation, Quang Trung blocked information, concealed his attack, and took advantage of the element of surprise to win. The victory of Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da was not only a resounding military feat but also a symbol of patriotism, intelligence and solidarity of the Vietnamese people.

Dien Bien Phu Campaign (1954): Triumph on the Peak of History

The Dien Bien Phu campaign, one of the greatest feats in the history of the Vietnamese people's resistance against foreign invaders, took place through three fierce attacks, with fierce and decisive battles.

The First Bullets Open The Door

The first attack began from March 13 to March 17, 1954. According to the memoirs of General Vo Nguyen Giap, at 8:00 a.m. on March 13, the first artillery shells of our army were fired at Muong Thanh airport, setting fire to two French Dacota planes. At 5:05 p.m. the same day, following the General's command, 40 artillery guns simultaneously fired at the French positions at the Him Lam base, opening the Dien Bien Phu campaign that lasted for 55 days and nights.

Our army was clever and brave in completely destroying the Him Lam and Doc Lap strongholds, forcing the Ban Keo stronghold to surrender, breaking the northern gateway of the Dien Bien Phu stronghold, killing and capturing over 2,000 enemies, destroying 25 planes, wiping out 1 regiment, and threatening Muong Thanh airport.

The Second Offensive: The Long War

From March 30 to April 30, 1954, our army simultaneously attacked the strongholds in the East of the central sub-sector, tightened the siege, divided and continuously attacked, controlled Muong Thanh airport, and limited enemy reinforcements. This was the most persistent and fierce attack, when we and the enemy fought for every inch of land and every section of trench. Especially at hills C1 and A1, the tug-of-war lasted for dozens of days, causing the enemy to fall into a state of passivity and high morale loss.

The Third Strike: The Decisive Blow

Starting from May 1, 1954, the third attack aimed to capture the remaining high points in the East, focusing on Hill A1, destroying a number of strongholds in the West, further developing the offensive and siege positions, and promoting firepower to bombard the enemy's central area. Our army successfully applied the "sneak attack" tactic, digging trenches, secretly approaching deep into the enemy's fort, making the French army feel like our troops were "coming up from underground" right in the middle of the enemy's fort.

In dangerous circumstances, many heroic examples emerged. Regiment Commander Hung Sinh was brave and calm, directly fighting with his soldiers to repel many counterattacks of the French army. Radio soldier Chu Van Mui, alone on the top of the hill, without a grain of rice in his stomach, continued the strange fight. Company Commander Bao Sang (aka Quang Long), a young man from Hue with royal family background, commanded the company to fight to the last man and heroically sacrificed himself.

Triumphal Arch

On the night of May 6, 1954, at Hill A1, our troops rushed forward to destroy the bunkers and used explosives to destroy the enemy's fortified underground bunkers. At 5:30 p.m. on May 7, 1954, our troops occupied the enemy's command post. General De Castries and the entire General Staff and soldiers of the Dien Bien Phu stronghold had to surrender. The "determined to fight, determined to win" flag of our army flew on the roof of the enemy's command bunker.

That same night, our army continued to attack the Southern sector, forcing the enemy to flee to Upper Laos. By 24 hours, the entire enemy force had been captured as prisoners of war.

After 55 days and nights of brave, resourceful and creative fighting, our army and people completely destroyed the Dien Bien Phu stronghold, destroyed and captured 16,200 enemies, shot down 62 planes, seized 64 cars and all the enemy's weapons, ammunition and military equipment. The Dien Bien Phu victory became a symbol of patriotism, indomitable will and military intelligence of the Vietnamese people, opening a new page in the country's history.

The Air Battle of Hanoi (1972): Triumph Over the Capital

On December 18, 1972, Hanoi's sky was lit up by bombs from American B.52 aircraft, opening the 12-day and night campaign "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air". The fierce fighting of the three-service air defense force firmly protected the capital, creating a historic victory.

The First Fierce Days

At 20:18 on December 18, Battalion 59 (Air Defense Missile Regiment 261) launched two missiles, shooting down the first B.52 in the sky over Hanoi, falling into the fields of Phu Lo and Dong Anh. On December 19, missile and anti-aircraft artillery positions continued to destroy another F.4 aircraft and another B.52. The Politburo commended the air defense forces for these initial feats.

On December 20, from 7 p.m., the enemy mobilized 78 B.52 sorties and more than 100 attack aircraft to attack Hanoi. Battalion 93 shot down a B.52 at Yen Vien station, while Battalion 77 shot down another one in the suburbs. That night, the air defense missile force shot down a total of 7 B.52s, including 4 in just 9 minutes.

The Climax War

On December 21, the enemy continued to mobilize 180 tactical aircraft to attack key targets. In the early morning of December 22, the enemy mobilized 24 B.52s and 36 tactical aircraft to attack the airport, Bach Mai Hospital and other areas. Battalion 57 shot down a B.52 at Ben Market, My Duc. That night, our army and people shot down 5 more aircraft, including 3 B.52s.

On December 23, the enemy continued to attack the suburbs of Hanoi and Hai Phong. Our troops shot down four planes, including two B.52s. On December 25, the enemy temporarily stopped bombing on the occasion of Christmas.

On December 26, the enemy used 105 B.52s and 110 tactical aircraft to attack Hanoi, Hai Phong and Thai Nguyen. The battle that night lasted for more than an hour, and the three-service air defense force shot down 8 B.52s, causing a breakdown in morale at the White House and the Pentagon.

Triumphal Arch

On December 27, comrade Pham Tuan piloted a MIG.21 and shot down a B.52, marking the first time our air force shot down a B.52 during the campaign. During that day and night, our army and people shot down 14 planes, including 5 B.52s.

On December 30, Nixon was forced to declare a halt to bombing from the 20th parallel and proposed reopening the Paris Conference on Vietnam. The "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air" campaign ended with the complete defeat of the US empire.

During 12 days and nights, our army and people shot down 81 planes, including 34 B.52s, and killed and captured nearly 100 pilots. This victory forced the US to sit at the negotiating table and sign the "Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam" on January 27, 1973.

The 12-day and night victory at the end of 1972 has great historical value, similar to the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954, when it forced the enemy to negotiate and recognize the independence and sovereignty of our nation. This is the pinnacle of Vietnamese military science and art, once again affirming the strength and indomitable will of the nation.

Ho Chi Minh Campaign (1975): The Triumph of the Nation

The Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the pinnacle of the resistance war against the US to save the country (1954-1975), completely liberated the South, unified the country, and left a deep mark in the history of the Vietnamese people. Nearly half a century has passed, but this campaign remains a symbol of patriotism and the nation's indomitable will.

After the Paris Agreement (January 27, 1973), realizing that the balance of power had tilted in our favor, on January 7, 1975, the Politburo decided to liberate the South in 1975-1976, with the Central Highlands as the main direction of attack. The 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising began on March 4, 1975 with the victory of Buon Ma Thuot, followed by victories in the Central Highlands, Tri Thien - Hue, Da Nang and the Central Central region, completely changing the situation on the battlefield.

On March 31, 1975, the Politburo assessed: "The revolutionary war in the South has entered a period of leapfrogging development, the opportunity to launch a general offensive and uprising in Saigon - Gia Dinh is ripe." Determined to carry out a general offensive and uprising, the Politburo directed: "Speed, boldness, surprise, sure victory."

On April 7, 1975, General Vo Nguyen Giap ordered the units: "Fast, faster. Bold, more daring. Seize every hour, every minute, rush to the front, liberate the South. Fight with determination and win." This order was transmitted to all fronts, creating a vibrant atmosphere and high determination in the entire army and people.

On April 6, 1975, the Saigon-Gia Dinh Liberation Campaign Command was established, including comrades: Van Tien Dung, Pham Hung, Tran Van Tra, Le Duc Anh. On April 14, 1975, the Politburo approved the name "Ho Chi Minh Campaign", creating new strength, pride and great honor for every Vietnamese person.

By April 20, 1975, our army and people had surrounded Saigon - Gia Dinh from all directions. Five combined arms corps, armed forces of the South, the South Central Coast and Saigon - Gia Dinh city had occupied the starting position of the attack about 50km from the inner city. The logistics force serving the campaign reached 180,000 people, creating a new battle situation with overwhelming strength.

At 5:00 p.m. on April 26, 1975, the general offensive began. Artillery troops fired heavily at Tan Son Nhat and Bien Hoa airports, suppressing and destroying enemy artillery positions. Special Forces coordinated with city commando forces to capture major bridges. From all directions, deep penetration troops led by tanks smashed the enemy's outer defense areas.

On April 28, 1975, the Quyet Thang squadron of our air force used A-37 aircraft to bomb Tan Son Nhat airport, causing the enemy to panic. On April 29, 1975, our army launched a new attack, destroying and disintegrating most of the enemy's divisions in the suburbs of the city.

On the morning of April 30, 1975, our troops simultaneously attacked and captured targets in the city. At 10:45, tank number 390 of the 2nd Corps crashed through the iron gate of the Presidential Palace. At 11:30, Lieutenant Bui Quang Than planted the revolutionary flag on the roof of the Independence Palace, marking the complete liberation of Saigon - Gia Dinh. The Ho Chi Minh Campaign was a complete victory.

The 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising, culminating in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, successfully ended the resistance war against the US, saved the country, and reunited the country. This victory demonstrated the spirit of determination to fight and win of the entire Party, people, and army, leaving behind many valuable experiences for the cause of building and defending the Fatherland today. The Ho Chi Minh Campaign will forever be a brilliant milestone in the history of the Vietnamese nation.

The Battle to Protect the Northern Border: An Event That Didn't Just Happen in 1979

The border war between China and Vietnam, which took place from 1979 to 1989, was one of the most important historical events, leaving many deep impressions on the Vietnamese people. Although it is often mentioned with the 1979 time frame, in fact, this war lasted for a decade, with many stages and complicated developments.

Phase 1: The Massive Attack (1979)

On February 17, 1979, China mobilized 600,000 main force troops to attack Vietnam along the entire northern border, from Phong Tho (Lai Chau) to Mong Cai (Quang Ninh). The Chinese army advanced deep into Vietnamese territory, committing many crimes, sabotage and looting. Faced with that situation, the Communist Party of Vietnam led the army and people to rise up to defend the Fatherland. On March 5, 1979, the National Assembly Standing Committee issued a decision on General Mobilization, calling on all people to participate in the resistance war.

Faced with Vietnam's determination, on March 5, 1979, China announced its withdrawal. However, during the withdrawal, Chinese troops continued to sabotage, causing more damage. By March 18, 1979, China had withdrawn most of its troops from Vietnam, but it still illegally occupied some places, causing prolonged tension.

Phase 2: Local War (1979-1985)

After withdrawing its troops, China continued to be aggressive, using artillery and organizing many attacks to encroach on Vietnam's border. From April 1979 to December 1980, China fired artillery 282 times and made 157 armed incursions. In 1984, China launched a major attack on Vi Xuyen (Ha Giang), occupying many strategic high points. The 2nd Military Region Command organized a counterattack campaign called MB84, but encountered many difficulties due to unfavorable terrain.

Faced with that situation, Major General Hoang Dan changed tactics, shifting from "attacking against attack" to "defending and encroaching", helping our army repel large enemy attacks in 1985.

Phase 3: Fighting and Negotiating (1986-1989)

Since 1986, the war has shifted to a phase of both fighting and negotiating. Vietnam has shown its goodwill for peace and called for negotiations with China. In 1988, China did not launch any large-scale attacks, mainly using artillery to bombard our defensive positions. By October 1989, China had withdrawn all its troops from Vietnamese territory, ending the border war.

The Vietnam-China border war lasted for more than 10 years, from February 1979 to October 1989, causing heavy losses for both sides. Tens of thousands of Vietnamese people and soldiers heroically sacrificed their lives to protect the independence, freedom and territorial integrity of the country.

Research on the Vietnam-China border war is not to rekindle hatred, but to honor those who sacrificed and cherish the current peace. This is a valuable lesson about patriotism, resilience and solidarity of the Vietnamese people.

Southwestern Border Campaign: The War to Defend the Fatherland (1975-1989)

The Southwestern Border War was a series of military campaigns conducted by Vietnam in response to the Khmer Rouge's invasions from 1975 to 1978. This was a tumultuous period in history, with fierce battles and important strategic decisions.

Historical Background

After the end of the Vietnam War, tensions between Vietnam and Cambodia increased. On May 4, 1975, Khmer Rouge troops raided Phu Quoc Island, and six days later, they attacked Tho Chu Island, executing more than 500 civilians. These actions worried Vietnam, especially in the context of deteriorating relations with China.

Since 1977, the Khmer Rouge has launched many large-scale attacks on Vietnamese territory, causing many human and material losses. In response, on December 31, 1977, Vietnam launched a counterattack on Cambodia, but then withdrew, taking with it a number of important Cambodian figures, including future Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The Southwestern Border War

On December 13, 1978, the Khmer Rouge, backed by China, mobilized 10 of its 19 divisions to attack Vietnam along the entire border. The Vietnamese army fought back fiercely, holding back and wearing down the Khmer Rouge. From June 1977 to December 1978, Vietnam destroyed 38,563 Khmer Rouge troops and captured 5,800 others.

Combat Forces

• Vietnam:The campaign was commanded by General Le Trong Tan, with the participation of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th Corps, Military Regions 5, 7, 9 and the Marine Corps. The divisions were fully equipped with armor, artillery, anti-aircraft artillery and engineers.
• Cambodia:The Khmer Rouge force consisted of 19 divisions, well equipped with Chinese weapons, but each division had only about 4,000 soldiers.

Campaign Progress

From December 1978, the Vietnamese army launched counterattacks on the entire front, pushing back the Khmer Rouge. On January 7, 1979, the Vietnamese army captured Phnom Penh, overthrowing the Khmer Rouge regime. Vietnamese army units continued to hunt down the Khmer Rouge remnants, occupy strategic positions and establish a new government in Cambodia.

Consequences and Significance

The southwestern border war left heavy losses on both sides. However, Vietnam succeeded in defending its territory and helping Cambodia escape the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. The newly established Cambodian government, with Vietnam's support, gradually stabilized and developed.

The Southwestern border war was not only a war to defend the territory but also a testament to the patriotism, indomitable will and solidarity of the Vietnamese people. This was a valuable lesson in military and diplomatic strategy, helping Vietnam consolidate its position and protect peace in the region.