The scientific conference entitled ‘Victory of Don Nhat - Hai Van Gate’ (September 25, 1952 -2022): Historical imprints, experience in building the people’s war posture’ is taking place in Da Nang on Friday.

The event was jointly organised by the municipal Party Committee, the Institute of Military History under the Ministry of Defence, and the city-based Military Region 5.

It saw the attendance of State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, leaders of the Party, State, central ministries, Military Region 5, plus some military experts and scientists nationwide.

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attending the scientific conference entitled 'Victory of Don Nhat - Hai Van Gate'. Photo: NGOC PHU

Don Nhat Victory created a great resound of encouragement for the revolutionary movements in locality

In his opening speech delivered at the scientific conference, municipal Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang affirmed that the Don Nhat Victory had entered the heroic history of the resistance war against the French colonialists on the Quang Nam - Da Nang battlefields.  It represented the will and the revolutionary spirit of the Zone 5’s residents and soldiers under the correct and ingenious leadership of the Party Central Committee, led by the great late State President Ho Chi Minh.

Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Van Quang (center) and Lieutenant General Thai Dai Ngoc (second, left) and other city leaders co-chairing the conference. Photo: NGOC PHU

According to Secretary Quang, Quang Nam - Da Nang was one of the Inter-zone 5’s hot battlefields in the anti-French resistance war. In order to support the resistance movements in the area, strengthen the guerrilla zone, and break the enemy's grip, the High Command of the Inter-Zone 5 decided to open the Summer-Autumn Campaign in 1952 on the Quang Nam - Da Nang battlefields.

After winning many other battles and destroying the Phu Ky administrative area, and the strongholds of Xuan Dai, Van Ly, Tuy Loan, Thuong Phuoc and Le Son, the Command of the Regiment 803 decided to attack the Don Nhat military base on the top of the Hai Van Pass.

After 2 hours of brave and resilient fighting, the Battalion 59 completely destroyed the Don Nhat military base.

The victory at the Don Nhat - Hai Van Gate left a lot of valuable experience and lessons for the Inter-Zone 5’s armed forces during the resistance war against the French colonialists and the American imperialists.

Not only that, the victory was an ideal model for the military art of attacking outposts of the Zone 5’s military troops and people, thereby opening a new way of fighting in the difficult mountainous terrain conditions, and the enemy's strong shelter position with strong firepower, as well as affirming the smooth combination between military and political activities, and between the armed forces and local residents.

The victory increased fighting strength and determination for armed forces and people to continue to attack the enemy to gain greater victories, helping to bring the anti-French resistance war to success, and leave a lot of experience in building the people's war posture today.

Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang speaking at the event.

Da Nang Party chief Quang emphasised the conference was an opportunity to review the heroic fighting tradition of the Inter-zone 5 armed forces, as well as to commemorate soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Summer-Autumn Campaign 1952.

It provided the opportunity for the participants to review valuable lessons in the country’s two long-term resistance wars, and clarify the role of military art of people's war in the cause of national defence, added he.

Applying the Don Nhat Victory to build a national defence posture

In his remarks at the conference, Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Le Huy Vinh emphasised that discussions and opinions presented at the event will contribute to supplementing information and documents to deeply affirm the value of the feat, and honour and pay gratitude for the cadres and soldiers who made the victory, thereby contributing to strengthening the people's confidence in the national renewal process initiated and led by the Party.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Le Huy Vinh speaking at the event

Importance should be attached to educating revolutionary ideals, patriotic traditions and national pride to younger generations, and at the same time encourage people from all walks of life to follow good examples of their forefathers to study, work and devote their energies to building prosperous, beautiful and civilised country.

Deputy Minister Le Huy Vinh suggested a number of issues that need to be discussed at event, including clarifying the process of building, fighting and maturing the Battalion 59 - the direct cause of the victory of Don Nhat - Hai Van Gate, and analysing the military art of directing, organising and directing battles.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc giving spiritual encouragement to some historical witnesses. Photo: NGOC PHU

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and some delegates at the scientific conference. Photo: NGOC PHU

Reporting by NGOC PHU, TRONG HUNG - Translating by M.DUNG