Editorials

Exactly 50 years ago, during the "Vietnam War", the U.S. imperialists played an "all-in" game as carrying out the strategic air raid mainly by their strategic air force on Hanoi, Hai Phong and other neighbouring provinces. It was the largest, most modern and brutal air raid in the history ever conducted by the U.S Air Force, with the involvement of hundreds of B-52 strategic bombers and thousands of tactical aircraft, aiming to destroy the morale of the North Vietnamese army and people, strangle the southern revolution, win a decisive victory, earn an advantage for the negotiating table, and force the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to sign the Paris Agreement with conditions in favour of the United States, while threatening the national liberation movement in the world. It was thought that this was an asymmetric confrontation between the U.S with superior air force and Vietnam with much inferior air defence force, hence America's ambition of a victory was understandable.

However, contrary to all expectations, glory, finally, came to the Vietnamese people; American imperialism lost the game miserably. Vietnam did not "return to the stone age" and there was no "holiday" for the U.S. Air Force in the sky of North Vietnam as they had expected. Instead, nearly a hundred aircraft of different types, including dozens of B-52 "flying fortresses" were shot down after 12 nights and days of combat. "Dien Bien Phu in the air" Victory defeated the highest level of war, the last military effort, especially the will of invasion of the U.S. imperialists. It was a miracle of our nation in the resistance war against the U.S. for national salvation - a brilliant symbol of the power of revolutionary heroism, creativity and intelligence of Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh era.

State President Ton Duc Thang visited and encouraged militia of Hanoi when they shot U.S. aircraft in the air defence campaign in 1972

With sound lines, sharp and ingenious strategic direction, at a high intellectual level, our Party applied and created miraculous power to organise the Air Defence Campaign at the end of 1972, completely defeating the strategic air raids of the enemy. That strength was the convergence of Vietnam's bravery, will and wisdom in the Ho Chi Minh era based on the thought of "nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" which had been thoroughly grasped by party organisations at all levels throughout the campaign. As a result, it has fully brought into play the intelligence of cadres, soldiers and the whole people, making them both resilient and courageous, master modern weapons and equipment, be proactive and creative in choosing the right combat method, and hit the enemy's key weaknesses to win.

The victory was also attributed to the preeminence of the socialist regime; the synergy of the whole country, directly air defence forces, in which the Air Defence - Air Force was the core. Another determinant of the victory was the strength of the people's war with the motto that all people shoot planes, all people take shelter and evacuate, and all people do the work of transportation. Our strength in the Air Defence Campaign at the end of 1972 was created by the leadership and commanding talents of officers at all levels; at the same time, it is also the combined strength of the whole nation, making the enemy shocked and terrified. That victory also originated from the nation's indomitable tradition and mettle; from the determination and solidarity of the entire Party, people and army, creating great strength of the whole country to defeat the invaders.

The victory also came from the solidarity in fighting against the common enemy of the people of the three Indochina countries, namely: Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia; great support both spiritually and materially of the peace-loving forces in the world, of international friends, of the socialist countries, especially the Soviet Union and China. The Party, State and People of Vietnam will never forget that kind and sincere help.

The meaning of the historic "Dien Bien Phu in the air" Victory has gone beyond the boundary of the nation to make it a significant one of the times. With the recognition of the world's people, including the American people, Vietnam has become a typical example against imperialism, oppression and enslavement. Vietnam became a symbol of aspiration for peace, independence, freedom and democracy; the conscience of the times.

As far as the resistance war against the U.S. for national salvation is concerned, "Dien Bien Phu in the air" Victory was the culmination of one of two strategic blows that played an important role in promoting and harmonising with the victory on the diplomatic front, contributing to the implementation of the Party's strategic determination, successfully completing the national liberation cause of our army and people during the past 30 years of revolutionary war full of hardships and sacrifices.

Half a century has passed, but the echo of the "Dien Bien Phu in the air" Victory - a symbol of the will and intellectual strength of Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh era still resonates like an immortal song of the world in the twentieth century. That feat in the resistance war against the U.S for national salvation is forever the pride of the Vietnamese people. The 50th anniversary of this great victory is an opportunity for the entire Party, people and army to deeply absorb valuable lessons learned from this strategic decisive battle to continue researching and applying creativity into practice for building the army and strengthening national defence. At the same time, the victory creates a great spiritual motivation for us, especially today's young generation, to continue working new miracles, in all fields, into the heroic history of the nation in the cause of renovation, construction and protection of the Vietnam socialist Fatherland.