In the solemn and exciting atmosphere towards the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), Brigade 96 (Artillery Corps) carried out a special and meaningful mission. Recently, a military convoy carrying 15 majestic 105mm howitzers moved from Dong Nai to Ben Bach Dang Park, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, ready to deploy a magnificent artillery battle, contributing to creating memorable moments on this important occasion.
Each 105mm gun, weighing approximately 4 tons, is not only a weapon but also carries the mark of history. To move each of these "war chariots" requires the smooth coordination and strength of six elite soldiers. In total, the powerful artillery team includes 233 elite officers and soldiers of Brigade 96, who will directly perform the saluting artillery firing ceremony.
15 105mm cannons were brought to Bach Dang Wharf by Brigade 96, preparing for the 50th anniversary of national reunification.
In addition, the Brigade also carefully prepared a fence with 250 posts and carpets about 90m long, ensuring security and aesthetics for the artillery area. The deployment location is placed on a solid flat surface, carefully surveyed by experts, promising to create uniform and resounding explosions.
Each cannon weighs about 4 tons, and was pulled from Dong Nai to Ho Chi Minh City. Each 105mm cannon required 6 soldiers to move it together.
During the historic anniversary, 18 105mm cannons (15 official cannons and 3 reserve cannons) will be deployed in the park, opposite Nguyen Hue walking street. This is an ideal location, chosen for its open view and solemn space, very suitable for people and tourists to fully admire this special ceremony in the series of activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of "the liberation of the South and reunification of the country".
The artillery position is placed on a flat, sturdy surface, when fired it creates a uniform explosion sound.
According to a Brigade technical officer, this 105mm howitzer was a valuable war trophy captured from the US army during the resistance years. Managed by Military Region 7 and then handed over to Brigade 96, these cannons were carefully and thoughtfully preserved, and are still weapons ready to serve combat missions and important ceremonies.
During the 50th anniversary of National Reunification Day, the artillery force will use 18 105mm guns (15 official guns, 3 reserve guns).
The 96th Brigade's ceremonial artillery site will be permanently set up at Bach Dang Wharf from now until the end of the April 30th ceremony. To ensure absolute safety and professionalism of the ceremony, the unit has assigned a 24/7 guard force and conducted daily artillery training. The training sessions include a preliminary rehearsal on April 25th, a general rehearsal on April 27th and the official performance of the celebratory artillery firing ceremony on April 30th. Notably, almost every day, artillery soldiers practice firing artillery with primer shells, creating loud explosions. The purpose of this training is to accurately assess the evenness and rhythmic uniformity of the artillery sound to the majestic background music of Tien Quan Ca.
During the official ceremony, 15 cannons will be divided equally among 5 platoons, each platoon will be responsible for 3 cannons. The ceremonial artillery is expected to fire a total of 21 rounds, with 3 shells (containing only explosives) fired simultaneously from 3 cannons in each round. Thus, the total number of shells used will be 63.
Each cannon weighs about 4 tons.
One of the biggest challenges for the artillery team is to ensure that all three cannons in each salvo explode at the same time, creating a consistent, unphased explosion. At the same time, each salvo must perfectly match the rhythm of the National Anthem. The Marching Song will play for about 54 seconds, and the artillery soldiers' task is to accurately fire 21 salvos during this time, creating a magnificent sound and visual display, expressing the spirit and heroic spirit of the nation on this important holiday.
Officers and soldiers of Brigade 96 are completing the remaining work at the artillery site.
The elaborate and meticulous preparation of Brigade 96 is not only a noble sense of responsibility of the artillery soldiers but also a profound act of gratitude for the blood sacrifices of generations of fathers and brothers who fell for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. The sound of artillery echoing along the banks of the Saigon River on the upcoming April 30th holiday is not only the sound of victory, of the joy of unification, but also a reminder of the value of peace and national unity.
This ceremonial artillery site, with its cannons that were once witnesses of a historical period, has now become a symbol of a peaceful Vietnam, steadily moving forward, respecting the past and looking towards a bright, prosperous future. It will be a special highlight, stirring up pride and emotion in the hearts of every Vietnamese person as they celebrate together a glorious historical milestone of the nation.
