Memories remain forever - Quang Ninh Electronic Newspaper

During the historic April days, along with the common joy of the whole country, the people of the Mining Region always remember and engrave an event of extremely important significance - the Mining Region Liberation Day, April 25, 1955. In particular, in the memories of those who participated in the takeover of the Mining Region, the sacred moment of the first day of liberation is still remembered. The past has gone far away, but until now, that historical event still has its original value, reminding every Quang Ninh resident to promote the tradition of "Discipline and Unity" to build and develop the homeland to become more and more beautiful.

Our troops took over Hon Gai town in April 1955. *Photo courtesy of Quang Ninh Museum*

Exactly 70 years ago, at exactly 8:30 a.m. on April 25, 1955, at a rally in Hon Gai Town, the Hong Quang Military Political Committee introduced itself to all the people. The military representative read the order of General Vo Nguyen Giap, Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People's Army, and Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Dam, Chairman of the Hong Quang Military Political Committee at that time, read a letter from President Ho Chi Minh to the people of Hong Quang: "The areas previously occupied by the French army have been liberated one after another, the people of Hon Gai and Quang Yen can live freely again" - That was the affirmation in President Ho Chi Minh's letter, which was also the joy of many people in the Mining Region.

From here, the Mining Area was taken over by the army and people, joy came as if bursting, giving people more strength to overcome the difficult years after liberation, to start restoring production. Then they worked "five times, ten times" to build the coal area, contributing with the whole North to support the South to fight the Americans.

Mr. Le Ngoc Lam (Zone 4, Hong Ha Ward, Ha Long City), former officer of Regiment 244, reviews souvenirs from his participation in the revolution.

70 years have passed, but for the soldiers who were part of the army that entered to take over the Mines that day, it all seems like it just happened. All the hard work of the miners and all the eagerness of the people were finally rewarded.

Mr. Le Ngoc Lam, former officer of Regiment 244 - a unit gathered from the northern battlefields to take over and protect the newly liberated areas , recalls: For me, time can forget everything, but the memories of the liberation day cannot fade in my mind. On July 20, 1954, the Geneva Agreement was signed, ending the war and restoring peace in Indochina. In that historical context, the Party Central Committee and the Ministry of National Defense decided to establish the 350th Infantry Division, consisting of 5 regiments: 600, 254, 53, 94 and 244. These were units gathered from the battlefields and localities in the northern inter-zones to take over and protect the liberated areas, including large cities and industrial zones. Of which, Regiment 244 was established with 3 battalions, with the task of taking over the Mining Area. From the morning of April 22, 1955, the unit took over the areas of Cua Ong, Coc Sau, Deo Nai, then went to Quang Hanh, Ha Tu and returned to Hon Gai town to escort the last French soldier onto the ship at Hon Gai ferry on April 25, 1955.

Mr. Le Ngoc Lam talks about his memories of the days he participated in taking over the Mining Area.

Although he is 92 years old, Mr. Lam is still very clear-headed when recounting that heroic historical moment to today's generation. Turning through each souvenir, each page of memory, Mr. Lam could not help but choke up, proud that he himself was one of the soldiers of Regiment 244 who directly participated in taking over the Mining Zone. He and many of his comrades were given a special mission, entering the French positions in the Mining Zone to protect the people, fight against enemy sabotage, and ensure the infrastructure so that when the regular army took over, it could be completely taken over.

Mr. Lam emotionally recounted: During those historic April days, the atmosphere in the Mining Region before our troops took over was quite quiet. But when the last French soldier boarded the ship, the entire Mining Region was filled with flags and flowers, people waving flags and flowers and shouting “Support Viet Minh”. The Mining Region was taken over by our troops and people, the people were the masters of their lives and their homeland.

Mr. Tran Van Cat (Zone 5A, Cua Ong Ward, Cam Pha City), former officer of Regiment 701, Division 351, and war veterans of the ward recalled memories of the early days of liberation of the Mining Area.

It has been 70 years since the Mining Region was liberated. Those who directly fought and contributed to Quang Ninh during those heroic days are now of a rare age. However, even though their eyes are dim and their legs are slow, the memories of the early days after liberation are still intact in them. Mr. Tran Van Cat, former officer of Regiment 701, Division 351, currently living in Zone 5A, Cua Ong Ward, Cam Pha City, shared: Although the population was not yet dense at that time, the scene was jubilant and the people were extremely excited.

“It has been 70 years, now the economic and social life has changed a lot and is constantly developing in all fields. However, for our generation, we will never forget the miserable life of the people who lost their country, the life of the miners... as well as the indomitable, brave and courageous fighting spirit of the people of the Mining Region at that time. It is that spirit that has absorbed and enlightened us, always reminding us to live up to the revolutionary tradition of our homeland, of our predecessors. As citizens of the Mining Region, we believe that under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Provincial Fatherland Front Committee and the solidarity of the people, Quang Ninh will certainly have further development" - Mr. Cat affirmed.

The past is far away, but in the memory of many people, especially those who participated in taking over the Mining Area, that sacred moment is still remembered. 70 years after the liberation, there have been many changes in the heroic mining land, but the history and significance of the first days of liberation always remind today's generation to promote tradition, continue writing the heroic epic in the beloved coal area of the Fatherland. In the country's renovation, the Party Committee, government and people of Quang Ninh province are making efforts to unite, promote the combined strength of the entire political system, the sense of self-reliance, self-strengthening, steadfastness, consistency in goals, perseverance, proactively overcoming all difficulties and challenges to maintain stability, innovation and increasingly sustainable and effective development.

Dinh Hang

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