Although the war has passed, memories of those heroic years and the comradeship shared in the fight for the Liberation of the South and National Reunification still live on in the mind of former soldier Phạm Thanh Tịnh, who now resides in Thanh Bình ward, and was the former President of the Điện Biên Phủ city Veterans’ Association in Điện Biên province.

After attending the 50th anniversary in celebration of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - 2025), organized by the provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Điện Biên Province on April 19, veteran Phạm Thanh Tịnh was still deeply moved and proud to represent 258 veterans, former police officers, and former youth volunteers at the ceremony.

Phạm Thanh Tịnh emotionally recalled: “At that time, the war in the South was extremely fierce. The American imperialists and the puppet forces of the Saigon government killed countless of our people. In anger at these atrocities, in 1974, I volunteered to fight in the South. Despite the many difficulties, the spirit and enthusiasm to fight was strong.”

At the time, Phạm Thanh Tịnh’s unit was the Regiment 148, Division 316. After training, his unit advanced to the Central Highlands and in March 1975, participated in the liberation of Buôn Ma Thuột before moving towards Tây Ninh province. By April 30, 1975, they coordinated with other units to liberate Saigon.

Phạm Thanh Tịnh said: “At that time, the Southern battlefield was fiery, where life and death were separated by a hair's breadth, but with the determination to defeat the enemy, we overcame all hardships to fight and win.”

Fifty years have quickly flied, and with the busyness of life, but when the historical event of the nation - April 30, 1975, the day of complete liberation of the South and national reunification - is mentioned, memories and national pride, as well as resentment towards crimes of the enemy, still remain vivid for veteran Nguyễn Xuân Quý, who currently lives in Thanh Trường ward, Điện Biên Phủ city. He shared, “While our troops were equipped with primitive weapons and with the people rising up against the world’s strongest military empire, we were not afraid. From the beginning of the Hồ Chí Minh Campaign, every soldier understood this was a special mission, so the spirit and enthusiasm were intense, and our hatred for the American invaders was at its peak. I was an artilleryman with Division 316. At one point, as we approached just 20km from the Independence Palace, we heard the news of our victory. The joy was indescribable. We all embraced and cried. We cried because many of our comrades sacrificed their lives for that victory, for the independence, freedom, and happiness of our country.”

Participating in the fight for the liberation of the South, veteran Nguyễn Xuân Quý was injured by enemy fire. While not life-threatening, the wound still reoccurs in certain weather conditions. During painful moments, he remembers his comrades. Fighting back tears, he said: “I feel so lucky to have returned to reunite with my family and experience the joy of living in a peaceful country. But they - my comrades - have forever fallen.”

The country is unified, with the North and South intact. April 30, 1975, stands as a brilliant milestone in Vietnam’s history, marking the end of the resistance war against the U.S. and the beginning of a new era - the era of peace and national reunification. Now, living in peacetime, these former soldiers frequently keep in touch with their old comrades, sharing memories of their youthful days of selfless battle to secure the peace and independence the country enjoys today.