"Defend the homeland's land and skies/Defend what we hold dear" - these lyrics were composed by musician Hoang Van when he was on the frontline in Quang Binh during the historic days of August 1964. A poem about martyr Dong Quoc Binh, who lost his life for the country 60 years ago, shares the same spirit of defending the seas and skies: "19 youthful years, sacrificing for the nation/His childhood dream was to serve day and night/As a wave beneath the nation’s ship/A soldier standing guard day and night/Keeping the homeland's skies and seas safe".
Inspired by the determination to defend the land, skies, and seas of those days, the production team from the Vietnam Television Entertainment Programs Production Department chose the theme "Defending the Homeland's Seas and Skies" for the program commemorating the 60th anniversary of the first victory of the the Vietnamese army and people in the fight against destructive warfare to protect the Socialist North (August 2 and 5, 1964 – August 2 and 5, 2024). The program will recount exemplary stories of ingenuity, creativity, and heroic spirit of our soldiers and people, including the glorious victories of the Navy, Air Force, and self-defense militia 60 years ago. This is also an activity to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22, 1944 - December 22, 2024).
Heroic Stories
To gather material for the program, the team traveled to various locations including Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Nam Dinh, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City to meet with veterans and historical witnesses. Although 60 years have passed, many witnesses still have vivid memories of the battles.
There was the moment when, faced with life and death, Captain Nguyen Xuan Bot accelerated his T333 torpedo boat towards the USS Maddox forcing it to retreat from the waters of the North on August 2, 1964. Or the unparalleled fighting spirit of gunner Pham Van Nam (No. 1 gunner, Company 141, Battalion 217, Air Defense Force), who manned the 14.5mm anti-aircraft gun and contributed to the downing of enemy aircraft at Hon Gai, Quang Ninh.
Additionally, there were stories of female militia members who bravely faced danger to fight, supply ammunition, and treat wounded soldiers. Notable figures include To Thi Dao, Hoang Thi Khuyen, and Vu Thi Tinh (Thanh Hoa province). The love between Vu Thi Tinh and the heroic Captain Le Van Tieu, who fought in the battle on August 5, 1964, blossomed under these circumstances.
One of the highlights of the program is the objective analysis by American historians who have deciphered classified documents on the "Gulf of Tonkin Incident." The VTV team conducted rare filming at the Turner Joy Museum in Bremerton, Washington, and exclusively interviewed Robert J. Hanyok, a historian with the National Security Agency (NSA) and author of the groundbreaking work "Skunks, Bogies, Silent Hounds, and the Flying Fish: The Gulf of Tonkin Mystery, 2-4 August 1964".
Epic Artistic Performances
Music also plays a key role, in connecting the stories in the program. The songs performed were composed from the intense emotions of the historic days in 1964, including Bam bien que huong (Pham Tuyen) and Giac den nha ta danh (Do Nhuan)... Many performances are staged in an epic style to help the audience better understand the fierce battles of the past.
The program will feature artists such as Le Anh Dung, Hoang Viet Danh, Duong Tran Nghia, Hong Duyen, Phuong Anh, Le Viet Anh, Khuc Xuan Duc, and cellist Le Thi Nga.
"Defending the Homeland's Seas and Skies", produced by Vietnam Television in collaboration with the Navy and Air Defense - Air Force, will be broadcast live at 20:10 on August 3, 2024, on VTV1. Please stay tuned!
