Known in the West as the Tết Offensive, it was one of the largest military operations of the American War. It involved surprise attacks by the National Liberation Front force and North Vietnamese People’s Army of Việt Nam on South Vietnamese forces and the United States military and its allies. — VNA/VNS File Photo

HÀ NỘI — President Trần Đại Quang has written an article to mark the 50th anniversary of the Mậu Thân general offensive and uprising in spring, 1968.

Known in the West as the Tết Offensive, it was one of the largest military operations of the American War. It involved surprise attacks by the National Liberation Front force and North Vietnamese People’s Army of Việt Nam on South Vietnamese forces and the United States military and its allies.

The first attacks took place on the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, when Vietnamese generally relax and enjoy the companion of family. The offensive took place countrywide in a well co-ordinated manner, involving more than 80,000 National Front for the Liberation of Southern Việt Nam soldiers and North Vietnamese troops hitting more than 100 cities and towns across the Central and Southern region.

During the Battle of Huế, the month-long fighting has led to substantial destruction of parts of the old imperial city. 

In his article, President Quang highlighted the event as a milestone in Vietnamese people’s warfare and showed the staunchness of the people in the Hồ Chí Minh era.

He said five decades after the victory, Việt Nam had recorded significant growth in a fast-changing world. He said this required the whole Party, people and army to make greater efforts and turn challenges into opportunities for national development in politics, economics, culture, social, national defence, security and foreign affairs.

The President said there was a need to build a transparent and strong Party and political system, continue implementing strategic breakthroughs to speed up economic restructuring and increase productivity, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy.

He said it was also essential to actively respond to climate change, manage natural resources, protect the environment and intensify defence and security to safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"The great spirit during the offensive will continue to strongly encourage the Party, people and army of Việt Nam to overcome difficulties and challenges while seizing new opportunities to develop Việt Nam into a modern, industrialised country." 

The State leader called for combined efforts to uphold the spirit of patriotism, self-reliance, dynamism and creativity, and to develop Việt Nam into a powerful country with rich people living in an equal, democratic and civilised society, firmly advancing to socialism. — VNS