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Not only a key logistical route that contributed significantly to the Great Spring Victory of 1975, the legendary Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail also stands as a symbol of unwavering will, ingenuity, and extraordinary courage of the Vietnamese military and people in their struggle for national independence and reunification.

Party’s strategic vision: Establishing maritime supply route for the South

After the Geneva Agreement in 1954, the United States violated its commitments, dividing Vietnam and turning the South into a neo-colony and military stronghold. In response, the Party’s Central Committee recognized early on that safeguarding revolutionary achievements and liberating the South required more than peaceful solutions—it necessitated a long-term armed struggle.

After the historic victory at Dien Bien Phu, the Geneva Agreement on the cessation of hostilities in Indochina was signed. On October 10, 1954, troops of the 308th Division advanced through the city gates to liberate the capital, marking the victorious end of the arduous and sacrificial nine-year resistance war against the French. Photo: VNA

In May 1959, under the directive of the Politburo, the Central Military Commission established a research office dedicated to planning military support for the South, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive supply strategy to support national liberation. On May 19, 1959, the Special Military Task Force—predecessor of Group 559—was formed, launching the Truong Son supply route to transport weapons, equipment, and personnel to the South.

However, the rugged terrain and tight enemy control made land transportation extremely difficult. Recognizing this challenge, the Party Central Committee initiated a maritime supply route to enhance support for the Southern battlefield. This was a visionary strategic decision, demonstrating the Party’s foresight in organizing forces and maximizing Vietnam’s geographical advantages to serve the war effort.

After extensive research, trials, and thorough preparations, on October 23, 1961, the General Command established Military Transport Unit 759 (the predecessor of today’s Naval Brigade 125), officially opening the strategic Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail.

The formation of Unit 759 was a pivotal milestone, marking the birth of the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail—one of the most crucial supply routes in the resistance war against the United States. It was also a breakthrough in Vietnam’s military strategy, showcasing proactive and creative warfare tactics.

Meeting urgent supply demands in war’s most intense periods

The Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail consisted of five supply routes spanning nearly 12,000 nautical miles (over 22,200 km). It served as a crucial bridge connecting the northern rear base with the southern front lines, directly supplying the most remote and challenging battlefields such as Nam Bo, Central Southern Vietnam, and the coastal regions of Military Zone 5.

Due to its unique natural conditions, this maritime route enabled the transport of vast quantities of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment to the South, providing critical reinforcements for decisive military campaigns. Especially during the most intense phases of the war, when land transportation was severely hindered, the sea route proved vital in sustaining the resistance effort.

The HQ-505, the only ship that did not sink, became a living sovereignty landmark of Vietnam after Captain Vu Huy Le ordered it to run aground on Co Lin Island on March 14, 1988, despite being set ablaze by enemy fire. Photo: VNA

Beyond transporting weapons and military supplies, the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail played a crucial role in moving personnel, transferring cadres and soldiers from the North to fight in the South. This troop reinforcement was of strategic significance, helping maintain battlefield positions and initiative. During periods of severe hardship, the sea route facilitated the transport of weapons and supplies deep into enemy-occupied territories, ensuring that southern forces could continue fighting and advancing toward victory.

For 14 years (1961–1975), military transport units operating along the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail overcame immense hardships, heavy sacrifices, and relentless enemy blockades and attacks. Hundreds of ships navigated the perilous waters, successfully delivering vital resources to the southern frontlines during the most critical years of the war.

Alongside the Ho Chi Minh Trail on land, the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail transported hundreds of thousands of tons of weapons and goods and tens of thousands of troops from the North to reinforce the southern battlefield. Although the quantity of supplies transported by sea was smaller than that of the land route, its significance was monumental.

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