The Trail became a secret transportation route of the Vietnam People’s Army to transport troops, weapons and equipment to the Southern theater.
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The K15 Relic Site in Do Son district, Hai Phong city was a place where the "no-number ships" of the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea started their journey. (File photo) |
The opening of the trail displayed the strategic vision of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh in the resistance war against U.S. invaders. In early 1961, the Central Military Commission determined that the revolution of the Southern Vietnamese people would need urgent support to gain victory. Therefore, the organ affirmed that the sea transportation would be an important and long-term mission to transport necessities to back the revolution.
The opening of the trail also arrived at the right time, contributing to gathering the strength of the whole people amid the hardest period of the resistance war against U.S. invaders.
The trail not only contributed to providing forces, weapons and equipment for the Southern revolutionary forces, but also helped them accelerate the people warfare and achieving resounding victories in Ap Bac, Dam Doi, Cai Nuoc, Cha La, Van Tuong, Ba Gia, Binh Gia, Dong Xoai, and so on. In addition, the modern weapons sent through the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea helped change the combat tactics of the Southern revolutionary forces and their balance of strength with the U.S. forces.
Thanks to the trail, the goods and troops were transported to the Southwestern theater within six days instead of many months if they had been transported on roads.
The Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea was a symbol of the strength of the people warfare and the firm political stance of the Vietnam People’s Navy. Even the trail was bombarded by the enemy day and night, troops of the “no-number ships” were determined to fulfill assigned missions, carrying ammunitions and supplies to the South.
The trail is a pride of troops of the Vietnam People’s Army and the Naval Service when remembering the resistance war against U.S. invaders. Troops of the “no-number ships” were always loyal to the Party, Fatherland, and people, and willing to sacrifice themselves to complete all assigned tasks.
The memories about the sea trail will last forever and become a legend in the Vietnam People’s Navy history.
Translated by Trung Thanh