“The Great Victory of Spring 1975: A Remarkable 50-year Journey”

On Mar 13, a commemorative event titled “The Great Victory of Spring 1975: A Remarkable 50-year Journey” was held at Đinh Tiên Hoàng Campus. The event was organized by the Youth Union of USSH, VNU-HCM and Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-HN), in collaboration with “Mãi mãi tuổi 20” Club. 

Attending the event were Lieutenant General Đoàn Sinh Hưởng – Doctor of Military Science, Hero of the People’s Armed Forces, former Commander of Military Region 4 and former Commander of the Armored Corps; Ms. Trần Hồng Dung, Standing Vice President of the Mãi mãi tuổi 20 Club; Colonel Chu Trọng Cát, Hero of the People’s Armed Forces; veteran Trương Công Đạo, Vice President of the Mãi mãi tuổi 20 Club; Ms. Đặng Kim Trâm, family member of martyr, younger sister of Dr. Đặng Thùy Trâm; alongside other war veterans, families of martyrs, and members of “Mãi mãi tuổi 20” Club.

Representatives from USSH, VNU-HCM included Prof. Dr. Ngô Thị Phương Lan, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Rector of the university; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lưu Văn Quyết, President of the University Trade Union and Dean of the Faculty of History; Ms. Hoàng Thị Hiền Thương, MA, Deputy Head of the Office of Communication and Corporate Relations; Mr. Nguyễn Huỳnh Minh Phúc, Secretary of the Youth Union; Mr. Lai Duy Long, Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union; Ms. Nguyễn Cẩm Tú, President of the Student Association; Mr. Lê Tuấn Kiệt, Vice President of the Student Association; as well as faculty members, university staff, and student representatives from various departments.

Nguyễn Cẩm Tú, a student representative, expressed heartfelt gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility. Coming from a family of soldiers, Tú was inspired by stories of wartime sacrifice that her grandparents told her. “These stories of sacrifice and loss have become a compass guiding and encouraging me to carry forward the spirit inherited from our forefathers,” she said. Meanwhile, Phạm Hoàng Anh, another student representative, shared a moving story about his father, who died during a landslide at the Rào Trăng hydropower plant. He emphasized that younger generations have their own ways of contributing, “I hope today’s youth will live with purpose, contribute, give back, keep their head high, and devote themselves to the greater good.”

Nguyễn Cẩm Tú hopes that future generations inherit the traditions passed down from previous generations - Photo by: KHÁNH MY

During the event, students also had the opportunity to listen to emotional wartime stories shared by veterans. Lieutenant General Đoàn Sinh Hưởng recalled the arduous years of combat, when he and his comrades marched from North to South under harsh conditions. Despite exhaustion, their unwavering patriotism and aspiration for national independence fueled their resilience. “We accepted that once we stepped onto the battlefield, we could only return home when the South was liberated,” he stated.

The aspiration for national independence has given Lieutenant General Doan Sinh Huong strength and helped him stand firm in the face of all challenges. - Photo: KHÁNH MY

That spirit continues to resonate across generations. Ms. Đặng Kim Trâm, doctor Đặng Thùy Trâm’s younger sister, urged young people to live to the fullest with ideals and responsibility. “Be accountable to yourself, to your friends, and cherish the people around you while you can,” she said.

Mrs. Đặng Kim Trâm gets emotional when talking about her late sister Đặng Thùy Trâm - Photo by: KHÁNH MY

With the view to spreading gratitude among the youth, Mrs. Trần Hồng Tơ has spent 20 years participating in meaningful activities. The fact that countless fallen soldiers are unidentified and many veterans still have to cope with war trauma motivates her continued work. “My friends sacrificed their youth for the nation’s liberation,” she shared.

Mrs. Trần Hồng Tơ shares during the ceremony - Photo by: KHÁNH MY

These wartime recollections help pass down the resilient spirit and unwavering commitment of previous generations. The pain of war, while profound, also became the driving force for others to carry on unfinished missions. Veterans Nguyễn Đăng Dũng and Phan Trọng Sơn, whose brothers were lost in battle, were motivated to continue the fight. Veteran Trương Công Đạo reflected on the deep bond between comrades-in-arms with a heart-touching story: “In the worst days of malaria, my comrades caught a softshell turtle and gave it to me so I could regain strength and keep fighting.”

Such camaraderie fortified their courage, as they believed that if one fell, another would step up to carry the torch.

Veteran Nguyễn Đăng Dũng và Phan Trọng Sơn carry on their brothers’ wishes - photo by: KHÁNH MY

Veteran Trương Công Đạo recalls the days he caught malaria on the battlefield - photo by: KHÁNH MY

The spirit of gratitude and volunteerism remains alive today, reflected in countless acts of kindness and community support. Ms. Trần Hồng Dung, who has long been involved in humanitarian work, noted that nowadays, many families of war invalids and martyrs remain under-supported. Her field trips allowed her to better understand these hardships, inspiring her to continue the journey of remembrance with fellow veterans. “After retirement, I have more time to walk this meaningful path and stand beside them,” she said.

Mrs. Trần Hồng Dung shares about her journey - photo by: KHÁNH MY

Today, the spirit once embodied by past generations is being continued by today’s youth, particularly in national development. Prof. Dr. Ngô Thị Phương Lan emphasized that volunteerism has long been a tradition at USSH, exemplified through programs like “Mùa hè xanh” and “Xuân tình nguyện”. Generations of students and lecturers have traveled to remote areas, living and working alongside locals to provide them with timely support. “These experiences show students that making contributions to society is not some lofty ideal, but real, tangible actions,” she said. “Our veterans fought for the peace we enjoy today. They led meaningful lives. This spirit does not end with war, nor with retirement—it continues through acts of goodwill and gratitude.”

Prof. Dr. Ngô Thị Phương Lan reminds students about the meaning of volunteerism and the responsibility to contribute - Photo: KHÁNH MY

With its core values of Creativity – Leadership – Responsibility, USSH, VNU-HCM continues to innovate in education, integrating knowledge with practical experience. The event serves as a bridge between past and present, invoking patriotism and sense of duty in the youth through heart-touching narratives so that they can continue the legacy of national development.

Some of the event’s highlights:

Source: KHÁNH MY
Translated by: Nhu Quynh Ly