31. Binh Gia Victory Historical Cultural Relic

The resilient red soil in the eastern region has witnessed numerous battles against invaders, some of which were so remarkable that they earned the respect of the enemy for the indomitable spirit of our soldiers and people. One such triumphant battle was the Binh Gia Victory in what is now Chau Duc district, Ba Ria – Vung Tau province. Over 50 years have passed, and the visible traces of this daring and intense battle have almost faded away. However, the echoes of the Binh Gia Victory persist, embodied in the Binh Gia Victory Monument.

From the revolutionary historical relic – Battalion 33, traveling along National Highway 56 for approximately 4 km leads to the Binh Gia Victory Monument, located in Ngai Giao town, Chau Duc district. This relic has been recognized as a national-level historical monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information under Decision No. 2754-QĐ/BT on 15th November 1994. Along the journey, rows of houses and lush gardens line the road. It’s hard to imagine that this place was once a battlefield where our forces fought fiercely against the falsely labeled American invaders, defending every inch of land to secure independence for our homeland.

The Binh Gia Victory Monument area is adjacent to the Martyrs’ Temple of Chau Duc district, underscoring the role of the Binh Gia battle as well as the gratitude of subsequent generations toward those who sacrificed for the people and the country.

The construction of the Binh Gia Victory Monument is documented in detail, starting from the time when the People’s Committee of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province issued decisions to build the monument. The various components include the garden, memorial temple, design by the artist, and inscriptions on the plaque erected on the right side of the monument.

Upon entering through the gate, the imposing figure of the Binh Gia Victory Monument stands tall amidst a vast and colorful flower garden, leaving a strong impression on first-time visitors. The monument’s grounds cover approximately 20,000 m², with a large flower garden featuring tall trees planted behind the monument. This green backdrop provides a solid foundation for the bright and prominent Binh Gia Victory Monument. Within the garden, various bonsai trees, with their graceful and resilient shapes, are planted alongside different types of flowers, ensuring year-round beauty. The park is further adorned with impressive decorative lighting under the tree canopies. Occasionally, under the shade of the trees, a few stone benches offer a temporary resting place for those weary feet. To the left of the monument is the temple, memorial hall, and other auxiliary structures.

The monument area stands as a prominent landmark, featuring a majestic statue standing at 26 meters, gleaming in bright white, poised upon a reddish-brown granite pedestal. Flanking either side are black structures, each standing at 3 meters high, depicting three clenched fists firmly grasping pear stems. Above them, three straight, sharp, and robust pear blades thrust decisively toward the sky, symbolizing the unwavering determination of our people in both the anti-American resistance war and times of peace. Adjacent to the monument are two bas-reliefs made of cement (formerly Bat Trang ceramics), illustrating the vibrant activities and combat scenes of our troops and people. These reliefs particularly highlight slogans such as “shatter the strategic hamlets,” “oppose concentration, establish hamlets,” and “lay down your guns, return to the people.” These engravings boldly emphasize that breaking the strategic hamlets in Binh Gia is synonymous with shattering the enemy’s predetermined plans, representing a victory resulting from the unity of the people in Binh Gia, Chau Duc. The Binh Gia Victory Monument stands as a testament to the resounding achievements in the anti-American resistance war on the soil of Ba Ria – Vung Tau.

The Binh Gia Victory indeed struck terror and inflicted significant losses on the American-puppet forces. The Binh Gia campaign marked the first offensive by the Liberation Army and people but proved to be a decisive one in the anti-American resistance war, thwarting the U.S.’s “special warfare” strategy. It served as a historic milestone that changed the course of the invasion war by the U.S. after the historical milestones of Dong Khoi in 1959-1960.

After studying the terrain and understanding the military situation in Bà Rịa, our command decided to choose Binh Gia as the launching point for the campaign, implementing the tactic of “strike the point, annihilate the stronghold.” This decision was made because the enemy had turned Binh Gia into a model strategic hamlet with a large scale, equipped with communication trenches, combat bunkers, and densely arranged layers of formidable zinc-barbed wire fences fortified with mines. Outside the trench, the enemy densely planted bamboo. In addition to the local militia armed with rifles, small and medium squads within the hamlet also included a regular platoon of guerilla forces regularly patrolling the area to protect the strategic hamlet. The enemy constantly propagated wildly, declaring, “Binh Gia is an inviolable anti-communist fortress in Phuoc Tuy province.”

“The Binh Gia Campaign, spanning over 100 days, unfolded on the night of December 2, 1964, and concluded with a resounding triumph. Our forces and resilient populace successfully seized control of the strategic hamlet of Binh Gia, resulting in the elimination of 1,755 enemy combatants. Among them were 60 American advisors and 40 puppet officers. Additionally, we captured 293 individuals, destroyed 45 military vehicles, and downed or damaged 55 aircraft, predominantly helicopters. Our spoils included 611 various firearms and a substantial cache of military uniforms and equipment. Notably, we achieved the unprecedented feat of annihilating an entire enemy battalion in the Southern theater, showcasing the unwavering determination of our forces against the main enemy forces, including infantry, amphibious, and special units. This triumph significantly expanded the liberated area in Ba Ria.”

“In a month of intense combat, we decisively vanquished two formidable enemy battalions and an armored regiment, inflicting heavy losses on three additional battalions. We effectively neutralized seven security companies and the majority of local militias along Route 2. Fifty aircraft, predominantly helicopters, were downed or damaged. Our forces dismantled numerous ‘strategic hamlets’ along Route 2 in the districts of Dat Do, Long Thanh, Nhon Trach, achieving the complete liberation of Hoai Duc district and the Pho Tri area near Ham Tan. The enemy’s combat-effective units, such as guerillas, paratroopers, and amphibious forces, along with armored vehicles and helicopters, suffered severe setbacks.

General and commander-in-chief Vo Nguyen Giap asserted: ‘The Binh Gia Victory marked the failure of the special warfare strategy.’

According to classified documents from the U.S. Department of Defense: ‘Washington’s disappointment with the military situation increased when the Saigon army suffered a “visible” defeat in the fierce battle in Binh Gia, southeast of Saigon from December 26 to January 2. The Viet Cong guerrillas nearly wiped out two South Vietnamese marine battalions…’ All evidence clearly indicates the imminent collapse of the Vietnamese ‘government’ and the likelihood of the Viet Cong consolidating their victorious power.

Binh Gia campaign is a solidarity, a creative cooperation between the main army and the local armed forces, a close synergy between the three spearheads of attack – military, political, and military – on the Southeast battlefield. The resounding victory in Binh Gia reverberated across the Southeastern battlefield and sent shockwaves throughout the United States.

With the intense and heroic struggle of the Binh Gia Campaign, our military and people made numerous sacrifices. In remembrance and gratitude for the heroes who selflessly sacrificed for the people, the country, the Party, and the State, a Victory Monument was erected on this resilient land. This serves as a gathering place for former soldiers, veterans who once partook in the historic battles, to return, revisit, and relive the camaraderie and heroic memories of their youth. It stands as a site for the subsequent generations to reflect, express gratitude, and draw inspiration from the indomitable spirit of their predecessors. Additionally, it stands as a solemn reminder to any potential threats against our homeland, emphasizing the unwavering resolve to construct a prosperous and affluent homeland in times of peace. This commitment echoes resoundingly among both the military and the people of Chau Duc district. The Binh Gia Victory Monument is a symbol of the sacred bond of our nation, immortalizing the significant contributions of the soldiers and our people who sacrificed, contributing to the resounding victory of the Binh Gia Campaign – a shining milestone in our national struggle.

Having heard and read about the heroic history of the Binh Gia Campaign, many tourists undoubtedly wish to visit the site, to witness and immerse themselves in the historical space where our heroes once trod.

This location holds great significance for Chau Duc district and Ba Ria – Vung Tau province. Therefore, the Binh Gia Victory Monument is a historical revolutionary tourist attraction that draws visitors. Combined with nearby historical and cultural attractions, tourists can gain a deeper understanding of the fierce battles waged by our military and people during the anti-American resistance war. Exploring the history and culture of this resilient land, including Kim Long Tunnels and Bau Sen Base, can provide a comprehensive perspective. Located on the main road of Chau Duc district, in the center of Ngai Giao town, it serves as both a historical tourism destination and a connecting point to modern facilities, reflecting the lifestyle and cultural activities of the local Cho Ro people. Visitors can also combine their visit with ecotourism and community-based tourism to experience the lives of rubber plantation workers or engage in activities like pepper, cashew, or coffee harvesting.

Lighting a candle, bowing in reverence to the resolute and indomitable examples at the Binh Gia Victory Monument, visitors feel both proud and deeply melancholic. The vivid images of the war, the strategic hamlets, fleetingly manifest in their minds through the narratives of the locals about the bygone battles. This experience invokes admiration, sorrow, and self-reminders, urging everyone to live up to the legacy of their predecessors. These historical values are etched into the hearts of those who have visited this sacred place.