Reunion Program for Former Political prisoners and War prisoners of Ho Chi Minh City and The celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam at TDTU
As part of the nationwide series of events in 2025 - a significant milestone in the development journey of Ho Chi Minh City and the entire country - welcoming the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025), Ton Duc Thang University is honored to co-host the Reunion Program for Former Political Prisoners and War Prisoners of Ho Chi Minh City in celebration of this historic occasion.
The event took place on February 17, 2025, at the main campus of Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) in Tan Phong Ward, District 7. It is jointly organized by the Liaison Committee for Former Political Prisoners and War Prisoners of Ho Chi Minh City (Liaison Committee) in collaboration with TDTU.
The event welcomed nearly 800 delegates from 22 districts and Thu Duc City in Ho Chi Minh City. Among the attendees are five Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, one Hero of the Renovation Period, four former prisoners who were sentenced to death, 118 former prisoners from Phu Quoc and Phu Tai, 378 former political prisoners from Con Dao, and 404 others who were imprisoned in various detention facilities. Notably, the event was honored by the presence of distinguished guests, including former political prisoners and war prisoners who previously held high-ranking leadership positions in the Party and the State. Among them were Mr. Truong Tan Sang, former Politburo Member, former President of Vietnam, and former Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; Mrs. Truong My Hoa, former Secretary of the Central Party Committee, former Vice President of Vietnam, and former President of the Vietnam Women’s Union; Mr. Truong Hoa Binh, former Politburo Member and former Standing Deputy Prime Minister; Mr. Huynh Dam, Former Member of the Party Central Committee and Former Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee; Mr. Dang Ngoc Tung, Former Member of the Party Central Committee and Former Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour; Mrs. Le Thi Thu, former Minister and Chairwoman of the National Committee for Population, Family, and Children; Mr. Duong Quang Ha, former Member of the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Resistance Club; and Mrs. Hoang Thi Khanh, former Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, former Member of the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, former Chairwoman of the Inspection Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, former Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labour, Chairwoman of the Founding Council of Ton Duc Thang University, and Head of the Liaison Committee for Former Political Prisoners and War Prisoners of Ho Chi Minh City; among other esteemed guests.
Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Loc, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, attended the event on behalf of the Party Committee, the People’s Council, and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. Also in attendance were leaders from the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Committees of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labour, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, the Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Union, as well as Secretaries, Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons of the People’s Committees, and representatives from the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs from Thu Duc City and 21 districts across Ho Chi Minh City.
Representing TDTU, the event was attended by Dr. Vu Anh Duc, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the University Council; Dr. Tran Trong Dao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the University; along with members of the University Council, the Presidential Board, Faculties and Departments, and nearly 500 students currently studying at TDTU.
At the reunion event, the Liaison Committee presented appreciation plaques and commemorative gifts to 86 delegates who have dedicated themselves to the committee at the city, district, and ward levels for 10, 15, 20, and 25 years.
In his speech at the event, Dr. Tran Trong Dạo, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the University, shared: “The remarkable achievements we enjoy today would not have been possible without the immense sacrifices of previous generations who dedicated their lives to the nation’s independence. It is a great honor for the lecturers, staff, and students of TDTU to welcome the distinguished leaders and former leaders of the Party, the State, and Ho Chi Minh City, along with former political prisoners and war prisoners - living witnesses of a tumultuous era marked by bloodshed and warfare. This event holds profound educational significance for the younger generation.”
The reunion event was deeply emotional and carried great educational significance, fostering patriotism, revolutionary ethics, and humanitarian values among the younger generation. It provided an opportunity for them to gain a deeper understanding, express gratitude, and learn from the extraordinary examples of selfless sacrifice and unwavering dedication to the nation. The event honored veteran revolutionaries and former political prisoners who endured imprisonment, torture, and hardship but remained steadfast in their loyalty to the country, continuing their struggle for the revolutionary cause and the liberation of Southern Vietnam even under the harshest and most life-threatening conditions.
