Vietnamese Footsteps recreates the nation's heroic history on the occasion of April 30th

Veterans (from left) Vu Dang Toan, Ngo Sy Nguyen, Nguyen Van Tap talk about driving tank 390 to crash the gate of Independence Palace on April 30, 1975 - Photo: THANH HIEP

On the evening of April 11, the Vietnam Veterans Association , Ho Chi Minh City Television in collaboration with other units organized the first season of the inspirational art exchange program Vietnam's Footsteps , with the theme Road to Peace .

This is one of the activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day.

Attending the program were Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Loc - Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Be Xuan Truong - Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Association along with veterans and people of Ho Chi Minh City.

Recreating the heroic milestone of the nation

The program Vietnam's Footsteps consists of three main parts, recreating historical stages in the journey to fight for independence and national unification.

Chapter 1 - The Pioneers tells the story of brave soldiers who created important milestones in the struggle to protect the Fatherland.

Chapter 2 - Footsteps on the Gravel Road introduces historical milestones where soldiers faced hardships and difficulties, step by step building a bright future.

And chapter 3 - Peace and Prosperity tells about a unified, united and prosperous country, becoming a solid foundation for future generations.

Within the framework of the program, veterans, People's Armed Forces Heroes... shared about the arduous but heroic fighting years of the nation, along with the sacrifices and contributions of veterans to the Fatherland.

People's Armed Forces Hero Pham Tuan - Photo: THANH HIEP

They are Lieutenant General, Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Hero of Labor, Hero of the Soviet Union Pham Tuan who shot down an American B52; Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Van Nghia - the first pilot to shoot down an American F-4 in the Dien Bien Phu campaign in the air;

Senior Lieutenant Pham Duy Do - a soldier waving the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam on the 2nd floor of the Independence Palace at noon on April 30, 1975;

Captain Vu Dang Toan - former political commissar, former commander of tank 390; Lieutenant Ngo Sy Nguyen - former gunner number 1 of tank 390; Sergeant Nguyen Van Tap - the soldier who drove tank 390 that crashed into the gate of Independence Palace on April 30, 1975...

All the stories, "footsteps", and marks of the guests help the young generation be proud and appreciate the sacrifices and losses of our ancestors.

Senior Lieutenant Pham Duy Do - a soldier waving the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam at the Independence Palace at a historic moment - Photo: THANH HIEP

Young generation proud, follow in step

The program also depicts the journey of dedication and contribution of Vietnamese people, and is a gift of gratitude from today's generation to the heroes who sacrificed for independence and freedom.

Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Association Be Xuan Truong - Photo: THANH HIEP

Mr. Be Xuan Truong - Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Association - shared: "Veterans always preserve and promote the good nature of Uncle Ho's soldiers' traditions, actively participate in building and protecting the Fatherland, protecting the achievements of the revolution, resolutely fighting against the wrong and reactionary thoughts and viewpoints of hostile forces...

Be exemplary in implementing and effectively carrying out patriotic emulation movements and campaigns launched by the central and local governments.

Veterans always do a good job of educating history, fostering ideals, revolutionary ethics, and the will to be self-reliant and rise up for the young generation of Vietnam.

Editor Lan Nhi - author of the project Vietnam Footsteps - hopes that the program will become a community event, where everyone can share, learn and show gratitude to the soldiers and veterans who lived and fought for the cause of liberating the South and unifying the country.