On the occasion of the grand ceremony on April 30, the Vietnam Military History Museum welcomed a large number of visitors. Notable in the exhibition area is the 843 tank - a historical witness associated with the decisive historical moment of the Ho Chi Minh campaign.
According to the Heritage List of the Department of Cultural Heritage, in the Ho Chi Minh campaign, tank number 843 always leads the company, breaking the enemy's blocking lines, contributing with our army and people to completely liberate the South and unify the country.
50 years ago, at the historic moment at 11:00 a.m. on April 30, 1975, two tanks with the numbers 390 and 843 entered the Liberation Army, marking the collapse of the Saigon government and the victory of the Ho Chi Minh Campaign.
At 5:30 a.m. on April 30, 1975, the Liberation Army simultaneously launched a general offensive into the inner city of Saigon from five directions.
tank T-54B number 843, belonging to Company 4, Battalion 1, Brigade 203, Army Corps 2, led by Captain Bui Quang Than, with a team of artillery officers including Thai Ba Minh, Nguyen Van Ky and driver Lu Van Hoa, leading the attack.
Following that was the T-59 tank with registration number 390, commanded by Political Commissar Vu Dang Toan, with a crew of artillery officers Ngo Sy Nguyen, Technical Vice-captain Le Van Phuong (replacing the injured artillery officers) and driver Nguyen Van Tap.
On the way to the center, tank 843 destroyed three enemy tanks and armored vehicles. At 11am, the motorbike entered the Dinh Doc Lap side gate but the engine failed.
Immediately afterwards, tank 390 rushed up, breaking the main gate, paving the way for the force to enter.
Captain Bui Quang Than immediately left the car, carrying the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam and planting it on Dinh peak. That moment marked the glorious end of the resistance war against the US to save the country.
After the national reunification day, tank 843 was ordered to take over Nha Be port (now Nha Rong port) and depart for Long Binh General warehouse before being brought to Hanoi for the exhibition to celebrate the national reunification day.
At the end of the exhibition, the 843 tank returned to serve as a training mission at the 203 Brigade until 1979. tank 843 was recognized as a National Treasure in 2012.
50 years after the historic moment, the legendary tank was kept carefully as a living witness. 843 tanks are currently on display at the Vietnam Military History Museum. As for the National Treasure 390 - the car hit the main gate of the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975, was located at the Museum of Tank - Armor Museum (Cau Giay District, Hanoi).
In addition to the 843 tanks, the display area at the National Military History Museum also introduces many other valuable artifacts associated with the Ho Chi Minh campaign, such as the Jeep No. 15770 take President Duong Van Minh to the Saigon Radio to declare the surrender, the map has the word "Determined Ho Chi Minh Campaign" of the campaign command, the emergency of General Vo Nguyen Giap, and the Vietnam Liberation Flag in the Vietnam National Flag, and the Vietnam Liberation Front in the day 30.4 History.
The Vietnam Military History Museum is a meaningful destination for every historical anniversary. Especially on holidays like April 30, the number of visitors increased sharply, including students, university students, veterans and international tourists.
A visit here is not only a journey to find history, but also an opportunity for each person to appreciate the values of independence and freedom exchanged for the blood of many generations of ancestors.
