Fearless in the face of sacrifice

Though 50 years have passed, the memory of the Battle of Buôn Ma Thuột, the opening triumph of the Central Highlands (Tây Nguyên) Campaign and a pivotal moment leading to the historic Great Spring Victory of 1975, remains vivid in the mind of war veteran Đồng Đức Vinh, now residing in Nam Thanh ward, Điện Biên Phủ city, Điện Biên province.

In June 1972, at 19 years old, the young man from Nguyên Lý commune (Lý Nhân district, Hà Nam province) volunteered for military service. After nearly two years fighting in Laos, his unit regrouped in Thanh Chương district, Nghệ An province, for further training in early 1974. By February 1975, he had been assigned to Company 3, Battalion 7, Regiment 98, Division 316, marching into the southern battlefield.

“We got on trucks heading south, not knowing what mission awaited us,” he recalled. “Only after a month-long march did we learn we were part of the Central Highlands Campaign, tasked with liberating Buôn Ma Thuột.”

At 2 a.m. on March 10, 1975, the general offensive was launched, and by noon the next day, Division 316 had fully secured the town, except for the heavily fortified Hòa Bình Airfield, the enemy’s final stronghold. On March 14, Regiment 98 received urgent orders to join a decisive assault on the airfield.

“It was surrounded by thick barbed wire, layered minefields, and defensive trenches. The enemy rained down bombs and machine-gun fire. We suffered heavy casualties. A bullet grazed my ear, I was lucky to survive,” said Vinh. “Yet we pressed forward. With covering fire, two comrades and I reached the fence, cut the wire, and cleared the way. On March 17, we liberated the airfield.”

After that, his unit advanced south, reaching Trảng Bàng (Tây Ninh province) on April 26. “By then, enemy forces were collapsing, fleeing in disarray. On April 30, we heard the news of surrender, the South Vietnam was liberated! We hugged each other, crying with joy. The country was finally united.”

Upholding the value of peace

“Freedom and peace don’t come easy, cherish them.” Those words, more than a veteran’s advice, express the enduring hope and trust of one generation in the next. Half a century after reunification, young Vietnamese continue the legacy of their forebears, protecting the hard-earned peace and independence, and striving to build a strong, prosperous nation.

“To win peace and independence, countless comrades laid down their lives,” Vinh emphasized. “War is full of pain and loss. That’s why I always tell my grandchildren about our heroic past, to ensure future generations never forget, and carry forward the dream of a self-reliant, resilient Vietnam.”

On April 19, the province held a solemn gathering to honor veterans, former public security officers, and youth volunteers who took part in the liberation campaigns. These living witnesses relived their “fiery youth,” sharing war stories that stirred deep emotions not only in themselves but also in the youth present.

Their words resonated with the younger generation, reminding them of the cost of peace and their duty to uphold it. Quàng Hải An, a student at Điện Biên Vocational College, said: “Meeting these veterans is a great honor. I am deeply grateful for their sacrifices. Because of them, we can live and study in peace. I will strive to study and contribute to our homeland’s future.”

Across Điện Biên and the nation, local governments are actively promoting “Gratitude to Those Who Served” initiatives, delivering gifts and visiting Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, People’s Armed Forces Heroes, war invalids, martyrs’ families, and former soldiers.

Candles of remembrance are being lit at war cemeteries and historical sites. In the digital age, young Vietnamese are bringing history to life through creative essays, photos, and videos, sharing powerful stories of patriotism and peace across social media. These efforts not only honor the past but also affirm the value of peace in today’s world.