The iconic photograph of a Việt Nam People's Army tank going through the gate of Sài Gòn’s Independence Palace on April 30, 1975 is included in the episodes. — Photo tuoitre.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam People’s Army Cinema has produced five documentaries to mark the 45th anniversary of the liberation of South Việt Nam and the national reunification.

They are part of an ongoing 22-episode series entitled Con Đường Đã Chọn (The Chosen Path) being produced by the unit.

The series aims to tell the complete story of the country’s liberation, beginning with President Hồ Chí Minh’s quest overseas to find ways for national salvation.

The 30-minute episodes, directed by veteran filmmakers such as Lê Thi, Phạm Huyên and Lưu Quỳ focus on the US's bombardment of the North in 1972 and the military campaigns in early 1975 that brought the Vietnamese people’s war against US forces and those of the US-backed Sài Gòn regime to the ultimate victory, leading to national liberation and reunification.

The first episode, entitled Tiến Công Chiến Lược (Strategic Attack), will cover the year 1972.

At that time, the forces on the southern battlefield underwent many changes while at the Paris Conference, the American side still advocated negotiations.

Facing this situation, the Politburo and the Central Military Commission decided to launch a strategic attack throughout the South.

The next episode, entitled Đòn Thăm Dò (The South Liberation Plan), is to focus on the Road 14 - Phước Long campaign. This is the first province in the South to be liberated, which helped the Politburo conclude that the Americans could not send troops back to South Việt Nam.

The next two feature battles in Buôn Ma Thuột to force the Sài Gòn army to withdraw from the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands), Huế and Đà Nẵng, thus facilitaing the libaration of the central provinces.

The last episode highlights Hồ Chí Minh campaign which is the biggest of Việt Nam People’s Army history.

The Hồ Chí Minh campaign victory ends more than 100 years of colonial rule in Việt Nam.

These episodes use old images from Sài Gòn military’s 16mm-footage. This is the first time the footage has been shown. 

Hundreds of people welcome the Việt Nam People's Army entering Sài Gòn. — Photo tuoitre.vn

The five episodes will be aired on Việt Nam National Television from April 26 to 30. — VNS