Veterans Honored on 50th Anniversary of National Reunification

On the morning of April 24, the Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People’s Council, Provincial People’s Committee, and the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Lang Son solemnly held a gathering with outstanding war veterans, former youth volunteers, and revolutionary soldiers who were imprisoned by the enemy, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025).

Attending the event were Mr. Hoang Van Nghiem, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial Delegation of National Assembly; Ms. Doan Thi Hau, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council; Mr. Nguyen Canh Toan, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; and Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee.

Also present were Members of the Standing Committee and Executive Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, leaders of provincial departments and agencies, retired military generals, and 159 distinguished delegates representing war veterans, former youth volunteers, and revolutionary soldiers who were imprisoned by the enemy in Lang Son.

Fifty years ago, under the rallying cry of “Swiftly — ever swifter; boldly — ever bolder” and under the leadership of the Party, the army and people nationwide overcame hardships and sacrifices to achieve the historic Spring Victory of 1975. The pinnacle of this victory was the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, which completely liberated the South and reunified the country—bringing to a close the longest, most difficult, and most glorious anti-foreign resistance in Vietnam’s history, uniting the nation and ushering in an era of independence, peace, and development.

In unity with the people across the country and with the spirit of “All for the beloved South,” Lang Son province contributed over 27,000 young men and women to military service and more than 4,600 youth volunteers to support combat operations. Among them, over 3,400 officials, soldiers, and youth volunteers heroically sacrificed their lives; more than 1,400 left parts of their bodies on the battlefield; 151 revolutionary soldiers were captured and imprisoned by the enemy; and over 700 resistance fighters were exposed to chemical toxins.

In recognition of the contributions of Lang Son’s military and civilians during the resistance war against the US imperialists, the Party and State awarded the title of “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces” to 19 individuals and the honorary title of “Heroic Vietnamese Mother” to over 200 mothers. On this occasion, 159 outstanding veterans, former youth volunteers, and revolutionary soldiers who had been imprisoned were presented with gifts from the province, each valued at 1.5 million VND.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Hoang Van Nghiem, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial Delegation of National Assembly emphasized that the 1975 Spring Victory was a triumph of patriotism, of the great national unity, and of millions of ordinary yet extraordinary individuals—those who willingly gave their youth, and even their lives, for the country’s peace, unity, and independence. He affirmed that the Party, State, and People will forever remember and honor the contributions and sacrifices of heroic martyrs, policy families, meritorious individuals, veterans, youth volunteers, and revolutionary prisoners.

On this occasion, the he also highlighted several notable achievements of Lang Son in recent years across various fields, including socio-economic development, culture, science and technology, digital transformation, national defense and security, Party-building, and political system strengthening. He expressed his hope that veterans, former youth volunteers and revolutionary prisoners would continue to uphold national traditions and strive to contribute to the successful implementation of goals set by the 13th National Party Congress and the 17th Provincial Party Congress.

He called on all levels and sectors within the province to continue to pay attention to improving the material and spiritual lives of veterans, former youth volunteers, and revolutionary prisoners. He also urged the younger generation in Lang Son to study hard and follow the example of their predecessors—to “nurture a pure heart, train a bright mind, and build great aspirations,” contributing their efforts to the prosperous development of their homeland.