HCM CITY — The HCM City Television (HTV) on Sunday organised a live broadcast to celebrate the 88th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (Feb 3, 1930) and the 50th anniversary of the Mậu Thân General Offensive and Uprising in Spring 1968.

The broadcast, titled Bản hùng ca mùa xuân: Chân Trần – Chí Thép (The Spring Saga: Bare Feet – Iron Will), was held at three locations significant to the historic event, including Thống Nhất (Reunification) Conference Hall in HCM City’s District 1, Tân Nhựt Ward in Bình Chánh District, and Bình Mỹ Ward in Củ Chi District.

Politburo member and Secretary of the HCM City’s Party Committee Nguyễn Thiện Nhân, together with former leaders, seniors, and officials from the HCM City People’s Council, People’s Committee and Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee, among other agencies, attended the event.

Other participants included Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, veterans and representatives of forces that took part in the offensive, as well as locals.

The event comprised three sections, including “Chân Trần” (Bare Feet), “Chí Thép” (Iron Will), and “Khát vọng hoà bình” (The Desire for Peace).

Speakers during the broadcast praised the significant contributions, strong will and commitment to peace of the soldiers who took part in the historical offensive in Spring 1968, one of the largest military campaigns launched by the northern People’s Army of Việt Nam and the southern National Liberation Front during the Vietnam war.

Among other people interviewed during the live broadcast were: Đỗ Thị Kim Liên, Đỗ Mạnh Hùng, Đỗ Anh Chiến, Đỗ Thị Thơm and Đỗ Thành Công, who are the children of Đỗ Văn Căn, builder of an armoury in 183/4 Trần Quốc Toản Street in District 3 (now 3/2 Street, District 10); Trần Kiến Xương, a son of Trần Văn Lai, builder of an armoury in 287/70 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Street in District 3; and Phan Văn Hôn, former member of Unit 5 under the Sài Gòn – Gia Định Liberation Army Commandos.

Though 50 years have passed, the General Offensive and Uprising in Spring 1968 remains a significant milestone that emphasised revolutionary heroism, providing valuable historical lessons for today’s society. — VNS