During the historic days of April, along with the general joy of the whole country, the people of the Mining Area always remember and engrave an event of extremely important significance – the Liberation Day of the Mining Area, April 25, 1955. That historical event still has its value today, reminding every person in Quang Ninh to promote tradition and continue writing epic poems on their beloved mining land.
Just 69 years ago, at exactly 8:30 a.m. on April 25, 1955, at a rally in Hon Gai town, the Hong Quang Military Affairs Committee appeared before the entire people. Military representatives read the daily order of the General General Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People’s Army Vo Nguyen Giap and Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Dam, Chairman of the Hong Quang Military Affairs Committee at that time, read President Ho Chi Minh’s letter to the people of the Hong Quang area: “Areas occupied by the French army.” Previously occupied areas have been liberated one after another, the people of Hon Gai and Quang Yen can live freely again” – That is the affirmation in the letter of President Ho Chi Minh, which is also the joy of many people in the Mining Region. .
69 years have passed, but to the soldiers who joined the army that took over the Mines that day, it all seems like it just happened. Although Mr. Le Ngoc Lam is 91 years old this year, he is still very lucid. 69 years ago, Mr. Lam was the one who directly participated in taking over the Mining Area as a soldier of Regiment 244. He and many of his comrades were assigned special tasks, entering in front of French positions stationed in the Mining Area to protect the people, fight enemy sabotage, and ensure infrastructure so that when the regular army takes over, it will be intact.
Remembering the early days of taking over the mining area, Mr. Lam shared: On July 20, 1954, the Agreement Geneva was signed, ending the war and restoring peace in Indochina. In that historical context, the Party Central Committee and the Ministry of National Defense decided to establish the 350th Infantry Division including 5 regiments: 600, 254, 53, 94 and 244. These are units gathered from the previous wars. Schools and localities in the Northern inter-regions returned to take over and protect the newly liberated areas including large cities, industrial parks… Among them, Regiment 244 was established with 3 battalions, with the task of take over the Mine Region. From the morning of April 22, 1955, the unit took over the areas of Cua Ong, Coc 6, Deo Nai, then went to Quang Hanh, Ha Tu and returned to Hon Gai town to escort the last French soldier onto the ship in Hon Gai ferry terminal on April 25, 1955.
“The atmosphere in the mining area before our troops took over was quite quiet. But when the last soldier stepped on the ship, the whole Mine seemed to wake up with flags and flowers. Fishing boats and people rushed out, the boats had flags, people on both sides waved flags, flowers and chanted “Support the Viet Minh” – Mr. Lam emotionally recounted.
Time has passed, but the historical memory of the days of liberation remains intact, reminding each person of Quang Ninh about the tradition of indomitable struggle, to determine to build the mining region more and more prosperous. Continuing that heroic tradition, in the reform process, the Party Committee and government of Quang Ninh province have made efforts to unite and promote the combined strength of the entire political system, the will to be self-reliant and self-reliant; steadfast and consistent in goals; Persevere, make efforts, and proactively overcome all difficulties and challenges to maintain stability, innovation, and develop more sustainably and effectively.
Looking back 69 years after liberation, Quang Ninh today has taken steady and confident steps on the journey of innovation and outreach. From a poor mining area where people’s lives were extremely difficult in the early days of liberation, now after nearly 40 years of reform, Quang Ninh has become a growth pole of the Northern region; always ranked among the top in the country with 9 consecutive years of 2-digit GRDP growth rate. Scale ranks third in the North (only after Hanoi and Hai Phong). GRDP per capita in 2023 is estimated to reach over 9,500 USD, 2.23 times higher than the national average and ranked 2nd nationwide…
Mr. Tran Sy Nhi (group 3, area 4, Bai Chay ward, Ha Long city) affirmed: Completely different from the past, the lives of people in the mining area have changed a lot now. Electricity, roads, schools, and stations were built very synchronously. People’s material and spiritual lives are increasingly improved. Quang Ninh has now taken very long and steady steps, achieving many outstanding results in socio-economic fields. As citizens of the Mining Region, we believe that in the coming time, under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, Provincial Fatherland Front Committee and the solidarity of the people, Quang Ninh will certainly have a breakthrough development. further, becoming one of the most livable places in the country.
