PM attends celebration of 50 years since Con Dao liberation
Con Dao, once turned into a “hell on earth” by the colonialists and imperialists to suppress Vietnamese patriots and revolutionaries, became a sacred historical place and epitomised the fighting spirit, revolutionary heroism, and ardent patriotism of the Vietnamese people.
PM Pham Minh Chinh attends the programme in Con Dao on May 3. (Photo: VNA)
Ba Ria - Vung Tau (VNA) – A political music show marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Con Dao (May 1, 1975–2025) was held in the island district off the coast of southern Ba Ria - Vung Tau province on May 3 evening.
The event, held at Hang Duong Cemetery, saw the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, incumbent and former officials, along with over 700 former political prisoners and their relatives from nationwide.
Featuring television reports, stories shared by witnesses to history, and musical performances, the programme not only commemorated those laying down their lives for national independence and reunification but also affirmed the immortal patriotism and undauntedness that continue to light up the path for today’s and future generations.
A performance at the programme on May 3 (Photo: VNA)
In his remarks, PM Chinh described the liberation of Con Dao 50 years ago as a historic milestone that ended countless pain and losses over 113 years, during which the spirit, indomitability, and bravery of Con Dao also shone.
He expressed profound gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh as well as veteran revolutionaries, heroes, martyrs, war invalids, comrades, and compatriots who used to be imprisoned and maltreated at Con Dao Prison but showed indomitability to fight for national independence, freedom, peace, and unity, and for the people’s well-being.
Con Dao, once turned into a “hell on earth” by the colonialists and imperialists to suppress Vietnamese patriots and revolutionaries, became a sacred historical place and epitomised the fighting spirit, revolutionary heroism, and ardent patriotism of the Vietnamese people. It was also a “special school of revolution” helping train many leaders of the Party and State for the resistance wars in the past and the cause of national construction and development at present.
The PM noted that nowadays, Con Dao is a peaceful and tranquil land with strong vitality and considered a “tourism paradise”, adding its development has not only given a strong facelift to this historical relic site but also substantially contributed to the general achievements of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, which is now an economic engine of the southeastern region increasingly important to national development.
The pride-worthy history of Con Dao should not be kept only in memory but turned into a source of inspiration and an impetus for fast and sustainable development, he went on, saying the Party and State always create the best possible conditions for the localities with historical and spiritual significance like Con Dao to develop inclusively and comprehensively to deserve the sacrifice by former generations.
Candles are lit at Hang Duong Cemetery on May 3 evening in tribute to those who fell down for national liberation. (Photo: VNA)
At the programme, PM Chinh and other participants lit candles and offered incense at the graves of late Party General Secretary Le Hong Phong, revolutionary Nguyen An Ninh, Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces Vo Thi Sau and Tran Van Thoi, along with other heroes, martyrs, and compatriots who fell down for national liberation./.
At a working session with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee on May 3, PM Chinh instructed local authorities to finalise and implement the scheme for applying special mechanisms for Con Dao's development.
At the Hang Duong Cemetery, PM Chinh laid wreaths and offered incense in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh, heroic martyrs, and countless compatriots and comrades who laid down for the country’s independence and freedom, especially the 20,000 patriots and revolutionaries who perished in the Con Dao prison system over its 113-year history.
Located over 230km from the mainland, Con Dao island district was once a place where Vietnamese revolutionary activists and political prisoners were detained. On May 1, 1975, Con Dao was officially liberated, opening a new era of peace and development. After 50 years, Con Dao has undergone a remarkable transformation - from a “hell on earth” to a "paradise of eco-tourism, history, and spirituality."
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