War always leaves severe consequences on people and society, especially in countries that have to endure prolonged conflicts. In 20th-century Vietnamese history, the Resistance War Against America (1954 – 1975) is a period of particularly vital significance, not only determining the cause of national reunification but also profoundly impacting multiple generations of Vietnamese people. Over more than two decades, the war altered the economic and social landscape as well as the lives of millions of citizens, especially children and adolescents.
Following the 1954 Geneva Accords, Vietnam was temporarily divided into two zones at the 17th parallel. The North entered a period of building socialism and became the vast rear base for the entire country, while the South was under the Republic of Vietnam government with the backing of the United States. According to the Accords, the two zones were to hold general elections to reunify the country in 1956, but this plan was never realized. Consequently, the political situation became increasingly tense, marking the beginning of the resistance war against America. During the 1954 – 1960 period, the United States gradually replaced France, increasing military aid and supporting the Ngo Dinh Diem administration. In the face of policies suppressing revolutionary forces, the struggle movement of the Southern people developed robustly, highlighted by the Dong Khoi (Concerted Uprising) movement in 1960. In the same year, the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam was established, creating a crucial turning point in the struggle to liberate the South.
From 1961 to 1968, the US successively deployed the “Special War” and “Local War” strategies, bringing expeditionary forces and numerous modern means of war directly into the conflict. Despite facing a military force with overwhelming superiority in weapons and equipment, the Vietnamese army and people still achieved many significant victories. In particular, the 1968 Tet Offensive and Uprising created a major political and diplomatic turning point, forcing the US to accept negotiations at the Paris Conference. After 1969, the US shifted to the “Vietnamization” strategy, gradually withdrawing troops but continuing to provide aid and conduct military operations in the South. On January 27, 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were signed, and the US committed to withdrawing all its troops from Vietnam. However, hostilities continued until the Spring of 1975 when the Vietnamese army and people launched the General Offensive across the South with the Central Highlands, Hue, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh Campaigns. On April 30, 1975, the Independence Palace was liberated, and the Saigon administration declared unconditional surrender, marking the complete victory of the Resistance War Against America and the reunification of the country.
Within the overall context of the war, Da Nang and its surrounding areas were among the most heavily affected regions. After the US officially sent expeditionary troops to the South in 1965, Da Nang became the landing site for the first US Marine units and was rapidly built into a large-scale military, naval, and air base. With its strategic location on the North-South transport axis, along with the Tien Sa seaport system, Da Nang airport, and a modern logistics network, the city served as a crucial command and supply center for the military operations of the US and the Saigon administration in the Central region. Consequently, Da Nang and neighboring areas such as Hoa Vang, Dien Ban, Duy Xuyen, or Dai Loc frequently became fierce battlefields with large-scale engagements, sweep operations, and bombing raids. Many residential areas were devastated, and infrastructure was severely damaged, while the lives of the people were upended by displacement, food shortages, insecurity, and the disruption of both production and education. The war caused not only material losses but also left profound impacts on the spiritual and psychological lives of the local communities.
Interviewee’s Background
Mr. Tran Kim Huy, born in 1955 (71 years old), was born and raised in a village in Hoa Lien Commune, Hoa Vang District (now part of Da Nang City). He comes from a family with a strong revolutionary tradition; both his parents participated in the revolution, serving as messengers and liaisons during the resistance war. It was this family environment that instilled in him a spirit of patriotism and a sense of responsibility toward his homeland from an early age.
At the age of 17, he officially engaged in revolutionary activities on the battlefields of Quang Da and Quang Tin provinces, under the command of Front 44, Military Region 5. He participated in combat and served the revolution until the country was completely liberated on April 30, 1975. Currently, in his retirement, he remains actively involved in social activities. He is a member of the Veterans Association of Lien Chieu Ward, Da Nang City, and frequently participates in movements and activities within his local residential area.
Figure 1. Mr. Tran Kim Huy (centre) with the researchers
Interview
Q: As a child at that time, how much did you understand about what was happening around you?
I was born while the country was still in the midst of the resistance war against the United States. Every day, we heard the sound of bombs and gunfire, and every day someone was killed. At that time, my family worked as farmers while also serving as couriers for the revolutionary movement, so we rarely interacted with other people.
Q: What was the area where you lived like back then?
Most of the houses were simple thatched or tiled homes. If bombs fell on them, the whole family could be killed. That was why people in the surrounding villages died almost every night because of the bombings.
Q: Did your family often warn you about what was happening at that time?
All the time. We were constantly told to be careful, stay alert, and never talk about revolutionary activities with strangers. As my siblings and I grew older and became more aware of what was happening, our parents carefully taught us what to do if we joined the revolutionary movement and how to respond safely if we were questioned by the enemy. Because of that, we lived very cautiously and kept to ourselves. We hardly spoke to anyone, not even our neighbours or friends.
Q: Since your family worked as couriers for the revolutionary movement, were you under surveillance by the South Vietnamese government?
Four of my paternal uncles were recognised as war martyrs, and the remains of two of them have never been found. Revolutionary service ran deep in our family. Because of that, we were constantly monitored and watched by the South Vietnamese authorities. A family involved in the revolution could never live in peace. There was one time when I was serving in the mountains, and the authorities discovered that someone in our family had joined the revolutionary forces. As a result, my father was arrested, imprisoned, and brutally tortured and beaten. He was only released after six months. It was truly a terrifying time.
Q: Did the war have a major impact on your education?
Yes, it did. I attended the village school, but because of the war, my education was repeatedly interrupted. I only studied until around Grade 6 or Grade 7 before I had to stop. When I was in Grade 6, my two younger siblings, Hoang and Trang, were in Grade 3. One day, while they were on their way to school, they were stopped by the South Vietnamese authorities, who would not let them attend class. Instead, they questioned them about where I had gone because they were investigating people suspected of supporting the Communist movement.
They detained my younger sister and even forced her to open her mouth in an attempt to make her reveal information. However, she remained strong and refused to say anything. If she had disclosed any information, my entire family would have been arrested and imprisoned, and the punishment would have been severe. My father was afraid that she might eventually give in under pressure and put the whole family in danger, so he decided that she should stop going to school and stay at home.
Q: What made you decide to join the revolutionary movement?
I grew up during the war and was raised in a family with a strong revolutionary tradition. Seeing my homeland devastated by the conflict, I felt that I had a responsibility to contribute my own efforts to protecting the country.
Q: What were your years of fighting like?
I fought on several battlefields in Quang Da and Quang Tin under Front 44 of Military Region 5 until the country was reunified in 1975. After that, I continued serving in the military until 1981. From the moment I entered the battlefield, I was determined to fight with all my strength and was prepared to sacrifice my life if necessary.
Q: Are there any memories from that period that remain especially vivid? Were you ever afraid?
Yes, many of them. One of the strongest memories is the loss of my comrades. In some battles, thirty soldiers would set out together, but only about fifteen returned. I felt hatred more strongly than fear. Every time a comrade fell, all I could do was endure the pain and keep fighting with my rifle. One memory that has stayed with me is the Battle of Thuong Duc in 1974. The battle lasted for many days under extremely harsh conditions. I still vividly remember seeing seriously wounded comrades. We had to enter local people’s homes and take the bamboo sleeping mats from their family altars to use as stretchers to carry the wounded out of the battlefield.
Many of those who were killed could only be wrapped in hammocks or raincoats and buried temporarily where they had fallen because there was no way to bring their bodies home for burial. Even today, many families have still not found the remains of their loved ones. That is one of the deepest wounds left by the war, not only for the soldiers who fought, but also for countless Vietnamese families.
Q: How did your life change after the war?
I left the military in 1981 and then started a family. In 2005, I retired and became involved in community activities in my local area. Whenever I meet my former comrades, we always talk about the past and remember those who never returned from the battlefield. Living in peace today is something I truly cherish. I consider myself fortunate to have survived, while many of my comrades remain forever in their twenties.
Figure 2. Mr. Tran Kim Huy with his comrade (left) and a portrait of himself (right) taken after the liberation of Da Nang. On the back of the portrait is the handwritten inscription: “In commemoration of the Liberation of Đà Nẵng, 1975.”
Q: After everything you have been through, do you still struggle with psychological trauma?
My philosophy in life is that once something has passed, I let it stay in the past, especially the painful and heartbreaking memories from the battlefield. Today, I simply feel grateful that the country is at peace and that the State and the Vietnamese people continue to remember and honour the comrades and revolutionary soldiers who sacrificed so much. That is enough for me.
Q: If you could leave a message for today’s younger generation, what would you like to say?
I only hope that young people today will remember history and appreciate what they have. Peace did not come by itself; it was bought with the blood and tears of countless people from earlier generations. In the past, we carried rifles to defend our country. Today, I hope young people will protect the nation through knowledge, unity, and a strong sense of responsibility toward their communities. Never allow the tragedies and suffering of war to happen again.
Editor’s note: The Historical Context passage (presented in grey italics) is editorial annotations added to help international readers better understand the historical background. It is separate from the interviewee’s direct testimony.
Figure 3. Several certificates of commendation recognizing Mr. Tran Kim Huy achievements and service during the resistance war against the United States, arranged from top to bottom: Certificate of Commendation for Outstanding Performance in Combat (January 28, 1973); Certificate of Commendation for Combat Achievements (July 29 to August 8, 1974); and Certificate of Commendation for Outstanding Performance in Duty (1974).
Reflections
The resistance war against the United States (1954 – 1975) left profound and lasting consequences for generations of Vietnamese people. Many children grew up amid bombings and gunfire, witnessed the separation and loss of loved ones, and were forced to shoulder responsibilities far beyond their age. These experiences compelled many young people to mature much earlier than they otherwise would have, while also fostering a strong sense of responsibility, patriotism, and a deep desire for peace.
Through the testimony of Mr. Tran Kim Huy, these impacts become more vivid, personal, and tangible than ever. We came to understand that the cost of war cannot be measured solely by the number of casualties or the extent of material destruction. War also robs children of their childhood, leaves dreams unfulfilled, and forces an entire generation to grow up before their time. Despite carrying painful memories throughout their lives, many survivors have maintained their optimism, gratitude, and unwavering belief in the value of peace. Mr. Tran Kim Huy’s message to today’s younger generation “…protect the country through knowledge, unity, and responsibility…” is not only the heartfelt advice of a war veteran but also a lesson of profound significance for modern society.
This interview has deepened our appreciation for the peaceful life we enjoy today. Every witness’s story represents a piece of history, helping younger generations understand that peace is not something to be taken for granted, but a precious achievement won through the blood, tears, and youth sacrificed by those who came before us. It is this understanding that can inspire gratitude, strengthen a sense of responsibility, and nurture the aspiration to build a future free from war.
References
Executive Committee of the Da Nang City Party Committee. (2014). Lịch sử Đảng bộ thành phố Đà Nẵng (1925 – 1975) [History of the Da Nang City Party Organization (1925 – 1975)]. NXB Đà Nẵng.
Military History Institute of Vietnam. (2013). Lịch sử Kháng chiến chống Mỹ, cứu nước (1954-1975) – Trọn bộ 9 tập [History of the Resistance War Against America, to save the nation (1954-1975) – 9 volumes]. NXB Chính trị Quốc gia Sự thật.
Nhat, P. (2014, August 5). Thượng Đức, những điểm nhìn – Bài 1: Trận chiến lịch sử [Thuong Duc, different perspectives – Part 1: The historic battle]. Báo Đà Nẵng. https://baodanang.vn/thuong-duc-nhung-diem-nhin-bai-1-tran-chien-lich-su-3035448.html
Turse, N. (2013). Kill anything that moves: The real American war in Vietnam. Metropolitan Books.
Researchers
Hello everyone! My name is Le Thuy My Y. I’m 21 years old and currently a final year student majoring in Culture and Tourism at the University of Science and Education – The University of Danang. I live in Da Nang, a beautiful coastal city in central Vietnam. As someone who is passionate about Vietnamese history and culture, I have always been interested in learning about the traditional values of my country. Through this project, I hope to share the story of Vietnam’s struggle for independence with people from around the world. I am very happy and honoured to be part of this meaningful project.
Hi everyone! My name is Tran Nguyen Hoang Anh. I’m 21 years old and currently in my final year of the Culture and Tourism program at the University of Science and Education, the University of Danang. Growing up in Da Nang has given me many opportunities to experience the rich cultural heritage of central Vietnam, which has inspired my passion for exploring and preserving traditional values. I believe that culture is not only a reflection of the past but also a bridge that connects people from different backgrounds. That is why I’m excited to join this project, where I can contribute my knowledge, learn from others, and help introduce the beauty of Vietnamese culture to an international audience. Thank you, and I’m delighted to be here with all of you.