Comrade Le Hong Quang, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of An Giang Provincial Party Committee; Comrade Le Van Nung, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Comrade Ho Van Mung, Alternate Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; other members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee; Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Heroes of Labor during the Renovation period; Leaders of departments, branches, mass organizations; Leaders of districts, towns, and cities in the province, party organizations under the Provincial Party Committee; Armed Forces; Revolutionary veterans, outstanding revolutionary contributors, armed forces; and youth delegations throughout the province attended.

At the meeting, Comrade Le Hong Quang, Secretary of the An Giang Provincial Party Committee, recalled the tradition of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the Reunification of the Country (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025). He emphasized that the Spring Victory of 1975 was a heroic chapter in the history of the nation’s construction and defense, fulfilling the glorious historical mission of liberating the South and reunifying the country. This monumental victory ended the aggressive war of imperialist America and its puppets, opening a new era for the nation – an era of independence, freedom, unity, and socialism. 

During the difficult years of the anti-American resistance war, An Giang was a province with a complex terrain. It not only fought against enemy sweeps and pacification operations but also safeguarded its forces, ensuring that the border routes were clear for transport and supplies to the frontlines. The remarkable victories of the military and people of An Giang, such as sinking enemy ships in Long Xuyen, raiding Chau Doc town, repelling fierce bomb and artillery attacks on the O Ta Soc base, and defeating enemy attacks at Tuc Dup Hill, contributed to affirming the important role of the Party organization, military, and people of An Giang in the entire Southwest Campaign.

Thanks to the leadership of the Party Central Committee, with the strength of “rapid, bold, surprise, and certain victory,” our army and people won the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, and at 11:30 AM on April 30, 1975, the flag of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam flew over the roof of the Independence Palace.

On the momentum of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign’s victory, the Provincial Party Committee directed the armed forces to liberate Ha Tien and Long Xuyen. On May 1, 1975, our forces liberated Long Xuyen and surrounding areas. By 8:00 AM on May 6, 1975, the entire enemy force surrendered, and from May 6 to May 10, 1975, we took over the remaining communes. The provinces in the Long Chau Tien area were completely liberated, marking the end of the long and arduous resistance war, contributing significantly to the victory of the General Offensive and Uprising of Spring 1975, the complete liberation of the South, and the reunification of the country. 

In this sacred and emotional moment, the Party Committee, government, armed forces, and people of all ethnic groups in An Giang respectfully remember and express eternal gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh – the genius leader, national liberation hero, and world cultural celebrity – who made our nation and our land shine. We also remember and honor the revolutionary predecessors, martyrs, veterans, and heroic mothers, heroes of the armed forces, and all comrades and people who have contributed their blood, intellect, talents, and efforts to the resistance for independence, freedom, and national reunification.Secretary Le Hong Quang also noted that after the country’s reunification, like the entire nation, An Giang faced many difficulties and challenges. 

However, under the leadership of the Party and the government, the people and armed forces of An Giang united and worked hard to overcome the severe consequences of the war, protect the southwestern border, and embark on a renewal process, striving to develop the economy, ensure national defense, and foreign relations. After nearly 40 years of implementing the renewal policy, An Giang has achieved significant, historically meaningful accomplishments, becoming a key province in the Mekong Delta economic region, a center of agriculture with key products like rice and pangasius, contributing importantly to national food security and exports. 

Special attention has been given to building and strengthening the Party, ensuring the political system is clean and strong, improving efficiency, and protecting the rights of veterans, policy beneficiaries, and the poor. Traditional cultural values and heritage have been preserved and promoted. National defense and security are ensured; the great national unity is reinforced; and the material and spiritual life of the people has improved. Secretary Le Hong Quang emphasized that these remarkable achievements are the continuation of the glorious tradition of past generations and the result of the diligent efforts of Party members, soldiers, and the people, as well as the creative and flexible application of the Party’s renewal policy to local realities. 

This serves as a vital foundation for An Giang to move forward in the new phase.Currently, in the context of many opportunities and challenges both internationally and domestically, An Giang, along with the entire country, is entering a stage of restructuring administrative units and building a two-tier local government model. Secretary Le Hong Quang called on all the Party, people, and armed forces of An Giang to continue uniting, striving with the highest determination, and being more dynamic and creative to achieve the set goals, ensuring social security and welfare for the people.

During the meeting, provincial leaders presented flowers and gifts to express their gratitude to outstanding revolutionary contributors in the province.The 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the Reunification of the Country is an opportunity for the Party, government, and people of An Giang to recall the glorious history of the nation and their homeland, reflect on the journey of building, striving, and maturing; while deeply understanding the values and lessons learned from practice to strengthen the determination in building and defending the country, turning past glorious achievements into motivation to complete the historic mission in the new era of Vietnam’s rise./.

Reported by NH-TC
Translated by Kim Thuan