Dak Lak (VNA) – A symposium themed “Tay Nguyen Victory in 1975 and half a century of Dak Lak’s growth and development” was held in Buon Ma Thuot city of the Central Highlands province on March 5, drawing more than 500 delegates, including veteran revolutionaries, hihg-ranking military officers, Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, and historic witnesses.

The event is part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) Victory, and heading to the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – 2025).

Opening the event, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Le Huy Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defence reviewed major milestones of the one-month Tay Nguyen Campaign, which was launched on March 4, 1975, liberating the whole Central Highlands region and some central-coastal localities.

The success of the campaign severely shook the enemy's defences in the South, creating unprecedented favourable conditions for the ultimate victory on April 30, 1975.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Vinh said that the event provides a platform for reflection on Vietnam’s history, honouring the sacrifices made for national liberation and celebrating Dak Lak’s achievements over the past 50 years, while sketching out strategies for the province’s continued growth and inspiring patriotism and self-reliance in the current generation.

Participants discussed key topics including reflections and lessons from the Tay Nguyen Campaign, the role of main force units and their relevance to the development of Corps 34, the art of deception used in the campaign, and the Buon Ma Thuot victory as a pre-emptive strike against the Saigon administration and army.

They highlighted the achievements of Dak Lak’s development over the past 50 years, emphasising the need to promote the spirit of the Tay Nguyen Victory and continue building Buon Ma Thuot into a regional urban centre. They also sought measures to strengthen the armed forces in Military Region 5 and developing high-quality human resources to drive socioeconomic progress in the region.

Deputy Secretary of the Dak Lak Party Committee Nguyen Dinh Trung said that lessons drawn from the Tay Nguyen Victory will continue to be amplified in building Dak Lak into a rich, civilised and culturally-rich locality.

༒ On the sidelines of the seminar, the Ministry of National Defence delegation visited and presented gifts to former provincial leaders and prominent individuals who contributed to Dak Lak’s construction. The delegation also provided funding for the construction of five houses for policy beneficiary households and 10 houses for the needy, while presenting gifts to poor households and policy beneficiary families, and paying tribute to fallen soldiers at the monument and cemetery for heroic martyrs in Dak Lak./.