The day of April 30, 1975 remains for ever a memorable moment in the contemporary history of Vietnam and the world, and in the hearts and minds of every Vietnamese today, a moment of national independence and freedom of the reunified Vietnam marching on the path toward the goal of a prosperous people, a powerful nation and an equitable, democratic and civilized society.
On this occasion, Vietnam Pictorial has the pleasure to present the emotions in words and pictures of the soldiers, reporter-photographers and cameramen, who had the honour and happiness to eye-witness the historic moments in the city of Saigon then – now Ho Chi Minh City.
In my military career, I took part in numerous campaigns, including the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign of which I had an unforgettable memory. Joining in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, my Regiment 66 was the reserve of the deep-thrust multi-division group of Army Corps II.
It was tasked to capture the IndependencePalace, the radio station, the Navy Command and some other targets in the inner city of Saigon.
On April 30, 1975 troops marching into the last stronghold of the Saigon regime represented a magnificent and heroic picture ending the resistance war for national independence and reunification.
Yet, behind those troops millions of people quietly made their contributions to the resounding victory. Two Vietnamese heroic mothers from Cu Chi – an “ iron land”- are among them.
The four war veterans, Le Van Phuong, Vu Dang Toan, Nguyen Van Tap and Ngo Sy Nguyen, rode Tank 390 on April 30, 1975 and crashed down the main gate of the Independence Palace, the general headquarters of the Saigon puppet administration, making a contribution to the glory of the grand Spring victory of the entire nation.
At war, they were ready to take up arms to defend the Fatherland; in peace, they lead an unassuming, quiet life, without claiming rewards for their merits but returning to normal life like so many others.
Author and Professor Wayne Karlin, an American veteran who fought in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, has tried to find peace within his own soul through his own writings and by bringing the books of writers from Vietnam to the United States.
I was born in Melbourne, Australia. In my youth, I was a draft resister and anti-war activist against the American War in Viet Nam, and Australia's participation in it. I 'dropped out' of a teacher training course to work full-time against the war and for peace, a life-changing decision. Later, I lived for 19 years in Cassilis, East Gippsland for an alternative country lifestyle. In 1996, I came to Viet Nam on an adventure holiday with Intrepid Travel, which became another life-changing event. I found my new home here in Viet Nam, and worked as a tour group leader for nearly 27 years, travelling up and down this amazing and beautiful country. In Viet Nam, even my name changed to "Lemon Juice" Bruce, but really I am still the same Bruce McPhie. What an inspiring country this is. The anti-Vietnam propaganda and misinformation of the past sometimes continues today. It's not easy to clear the mind of a lifetime of this, but when you discover the true magic of Viet Nam you are richly rewarded, enlightened, and understand the world in a whole new way. "Come to Viet Nam, and visit the world!"
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