The Truong Son trail, which played a vital role in Vietnam’s past military victories, has been recognised as special national heritage.

The certificate recognising the route, better known as the Ho Chi Minh trail, was presented at a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Defence on May 16 in Hanoi to mark the 55th anniversary of the historical route and the Truong Son Soldiers’ Day (May 19).

Addressing the event, Senior Lieutenant General Ngo Xuan Lich, head of the General Department of Politics, reiterated that on May 19, 1959, a “special military mission” with an initial 500 members was assigned the task of opening the route and transport military supplies to assist the southern battlefield during the US war.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam hands over the special national heritage certificate for Truong Son trail to the Army Corps 12 and representatives from the 11 provinces along the route. Photo: qdnd.vn

The team later became Communications Squad 301, also in charge of transferring officials, soldiers and documents from the north to the south and vice versa, he said.

After half a year, the Truong Son route has become an important bridge linking the great northern rear and the southern front line. Millions of soldiers travelled the route to reach the battleground, he said.

General Lich stated that during 16 years of resolute struggle against uncountable hardships and difficulties, Truong Son soldiers recorded many resounding victories and the route became one of the decisive factors in the final victory of the nation, completely liberating the south and reuniting the country.

At the ceremony, Le Hong Anh, Politburo member and standing member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat, presented the Military Exploit Order, first class, to the Army Corps 12, which was formed on the basis of the Truong Son engineer forces, in recognition of its excellent contributions to national construction and defence.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam also handed over the special national heritage certificate for Truong Son trail to the Army Corps 12 and representatives from the 11 provinces along the route.

On the occasion, former Party General Secretary Do Muoi, former President Le Duc Anh and Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung also sent floral greetings to Truong Son soldiers on their special day.

Source: VNA