VTV Special Documentary – The Historic Broadcast: Revisiting the Nation’s Unforgettable Days

The documentary VTV Special – The Historic Broadcast takes viewers back to the unforgettable days of 1975, highlighting the moment when Vietnam Television went on air throughout southern Vietnam using the broadcasting infrastructure previously operated by the old regime. Beyond recounting the remarkable journey of Vietnam Television’s special task forces during that historic time, the film symbolizes national reconciliation.

The two teams from North and South Vietnam united to operate as one.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025), Vietnam Television (VTV) has prepared several major special programs, mobilizing  the efforts of various departments with creativity, precision, and reverence. Among these efforts is The Historic Broadcast, an early-launched documentary under the VTV Special project. The film centers on the Vietnam Television broadcast on the night of May 1, 1975, in Saigon. At its core, however, is the visionary strategy of  the South's advance  led by the leadership of the Broadcasting and Television Committee to take over the Saigon Television Station. It also  chronicles the cross-country journeys of various VTV reporter groups  who  converged in Saigon on April 30, 1975,  in preparation for the historic broadcast.

“The documentary The Historic Broadcast takes a distinctive approach compared to many other programs commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification. The story not only highlights the role of Vietnam Television on April 30th but also captures the spirit and pride of this historic victory”, said Director, People’s Artist Nguyen Hoang Lam, Deputy Head of the Department of Special Features and Educational Programming at Vietnam Television (VTV).

Cameraman Trung Viet is out filming the campaign.

Before April 1975, amidst waves of troops heading South with a resolve to liberate the beloved region, there were special contingents from Vietnam Television. These teams, made up of skilled editors and technicians who had previously regrouped in the North, had a crucial mission: to ensure that  the programs produced at 58 Quan Su Street in Hanoi could soon be broadcast in the South. This bold and politically strategic vision was meticulously prepared by top leaders of the Radio and Television Committee. During their journey, the Vietnam Television task forces undertook specific missions: filming reports on the rapid military advances, taking over and turning over old regime broadcasting facilities   to local military management in liberated areas, constructing a transmission facility  on Ba Den Mountain (Tay Ninh) to broadcast Hanoi-based VTV programs directly to Saigon, and studying the technical infrastructure of Saigon TV for immediate takeover and use in broadcasting Vietnam Television content.

Ultimately, the teams succeeded in three out of four main missions. The only unfulfilled plan was the Ba Den transmitter, which became unnecessary withthe complete liberation of the South on April 30, 1975. Vietnam Television successfully took control of the  Hue transmitter  and the relay stations of the former Republic of Vietnam in Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Nha Trang.

Reporter Truong Nghia Tien was on his first day covering the campaign.

On the evening of May 1, 1975, Vietnam Television's signal was broadcast  throughout the South  over the old regime’s network. What were the efforts of those VTV task forces? How did the Saigon TV staff contribute? How did the people of Saigon at the time  react  to the arrival of national television and the Liberation Army? These questions are explored in depth in VTV Special – The Historic Broadcast documentary.

The story is told through historical archives, contemporary footage, and  testimony  from both sides, including cameraman Nguyen Van Vinh; journalist Huynh Van Tieng – former head of Vietnam Television; cameraman Pham Viet Tung – a member of the VTV team thatcrossed from North to South; and architect Nguyen Huu Thai – the creator of the first news bulletin broadcast on the Voice of Vietnam on April 30, 1975, who also helped students defend the Saigon TV station until revolutionary forces arrived.

VTV Special – The Historic Broadcast is scheduled to air at 8:10 PM on May 1, 2025, on VTV1.