36. Round House – Ba Ria Revolutionary Historical Relic

Round House, commonly referred to by the people of Bà Rịa as the water tower or Chatoau deau, was constructed by the French government in the early 20th century to provide a clean water source for daily life. Round House is a water tower standing at 20 meters tall, with 8 pillars and a diameter of nearly 8 meters, featuring three water pipes. Situated at the intersection of Cach Mang Thang 8 and 27/4 streets, it has long been a familiar symbol closely associated with the people of Ba Ria and has become a renowned historical site that witnessed many significant events involving the military and civilians of Ba Ria.

In 1945, after the French coup d’état, the Japanese invaders installed a system of alarm speakers, consisting of 6 units located beneath the water tank (which still exists today). Currently, Round House has additional loudspeakers from the Chau Thanh district radio station. Surrounding Round House are a series of offices and villas constructed by the French, including the People’s Council of Phuoc Le commune (now the People’s Committee of Ba Ria city) and residences specifically for officers. In 1954, this place served as the headquarters of the Bà Rịa Vanguard Youth (now the Women’s Union of Chau Thanh district). Bungalows, resembling hotels, were designated for the officers’ entertainment and dining (now the Trade Union of Chau Thanh district), as well as a building resembling a hotel for officers (People’s Committee of Chau Thanh district). Two rows of houses parallel to Round House, along with the old market and the bus station opposite Round House, formed a bustling commercial center in those days.

At the base of Round House is an octagonal house, 6 meters in length, 4 meters in height, surrounding the 8 pillars of Round House. During the US puppet regime, this house served as the headquarters of the town police of Ba Ria. After liberation, it was renovated due to damage caused by artillery shells.

In the lively and tumultuous days of the government overthrow in the fall of 1945, Round House witnessed a historic and festive day that changed the lives of the people of Ba Ria on August 25, 1945. A grand parade took place to celebrate the day the government came into the hands of the people, welcoming the first revolutionary temporary government to address the public.

In the fervent atmosphere of the nationwide uprising, the people of Bà Rịa, guided by the local uprising committee, actively and eagerly prepared to welcome the historic day of wresting power from the hands of the Japanese invaders and their feudal lackeys. With the strength akin to an overflowing river, streams of people from all walks of life, various age groups, diverse religious beliefs, ethnicities, intellectuals, workers, farmers, small traders, students, and even soldiers—all armed with slogans and various weapons ranging from guns and sharp-edged spears to mirrors, hammers, pickaxes, shovels—converged on the town. The gathering began around 2 to 3 AM on August 24, 1945, along the main roads leading to the town.

The densely packed, orderly processions moved forward, banners and flags layered upon layers. The air was filled with resounding shouts: “Down with the Japanese invaders,” “Down with the feudal colonial regime,” “Down with imperialism,” “Vietnam’s independence for eternity,” “Long live the revolutionary government,” “Freedom, food, and peace for eternity”. All of this was harmonized with the resonating tunes of heroic songs echoing endlessly through the land: “Come, comrades, let’s advance together,” “Hey, young people, stand up to answer the call of the rivers and mountains.”

Both the town and its outskirts, adorned with majestic flags, saw well-organized processions. All eyes were on the newly erected podium, the altar dedicated to the homeland, majestic in the center of the town square, with the back facing the water tower and the front facing Long Dien. The self-defense forces and Youth Vanguard soldiers, mobilized and stationed by our side, were strategically positioned around the provincial courthouse where the Japanese were gathering, preventing any reactionary response. On the water tower, the self-defense forces and combat youth soldiers, alongside elderly people in traditional áo dài dresses and conical hats, stood solemnly next to the altar honoring the homeland. In front of the podium were groups of students, surrounded by diverse delegations from different sectors and industries. Each procession carried its own slogans and banners, adorned with both the red flag with a yellow star and the Vanguard Youth flag.

At exactly 8 AM on August 25, 1945, the victory parade began. Mr.  Duong Van Xa, the leader of the Ba Ria Youth Vanguard, addressed the people, officially declaring the government in the hands of the people, abolishing all powers of the lackeys and Japanese invaders. The local uprising committee announced the successful uprisings in various places, such as Hanoi and Hue, and urged the people to support the new government. The flag-raising ceremony commenced, with over ten thousand people filled with excitement, facing the pinnacle of the red and yellow-starred flag. The anthem of the Youth Vanguard echoed, and some, overwhelmed with enthusiasm, raised their hands in salute. In this solemn and heroic atmosphere, Provincial Chief Le Thanh Long declared the transfer of power to the people, and the Japanese officer “Sato” pledged to respect the freedom and independence of the Vietnamese nation. The revolutionary government’s temporary People’s Committee of Ba Ria was established. From now on, all powers of the reactionary lackey forces were completely eradicated Cheers and applause resounded through the town, and representatives of the people stepped forward to expose the crimes of the enemies. Successive groups, representing various organizations, sectors, and classes, pledged allegiance to the homeland, expressing their determination to protect the government and uphold independence and freedom.

The victory parade turned into a triumphant march through the town’s streets. Slogans and songs reverberated across the sky in the historic September atmosphere.

On August 25, 1945, Round House entered the glorious history of the people of Ba Ria, witnessing the birth of the people’s government under the leadership of the Indochinese Communist Party, truly bringing independent and free life to the people, marking the beginning of a new and radiant chapter in the history of Ba Ria.

Thirty years later, in the spring of 1975, in the Round House area, alongside the momentum of the general offensive and uprising of the Southern people during the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign to liberate the South, the Ba Ria people, with revolutionary fervor, simultaneously rose to attack the last stronghold of the enemy.  With extraordinary strength, within just one day and night of fighting from the evening of April 26, 1975, to April 27, 1975, the armed forces occupied and liberated the entire town. The puppet regime completely collapsed. In the jubilant atmosphere of the liberation spring day, people enthusiastically participated in cleaning the streets, organizing the public forces, revolutionary organizations quickly stabilized activities, and urgently repaired and renovated the destroyed areas, removing the remnants of the enemy.  In the joyous and exuberant atmosphere of welcoming the victorious day, a series of guns fired into the sky. The Round House area during these days became the focal point of our forces advancing to liberate Vung Tau town.

On May 1, 1975, a momentous victory parade was orchestrated by the Ba Ria City Party Committee to commemorate the liberation of the town, the emancipation of the South, and observe International Labor Day. Simultaneously, it warmly welcomed the triumphant troops, including infantry, mechanized forces, and artillery, lauding the forces that had reunited with the local residents. Once again, people from all walks of life in Bà Rịa enthusiastically flocked to the town center, celebrating the comprehensive victory with over ten thousand participants. Banners and flags adorned the sky, creating a solemn atmosphere in front of the recently erected stage next to Round House, facing the Dinh River. In front of the Liberation flag flying proudly atop Round House, Comrade Vo Van An, Head of the Research Committee of the Eastern Zone Party, delivered a speech celebrating the day of great victory, emphasizing the significance of the liberation of the South. He called on all people to stabilize their lives and encouraged soldiers and officials of the old regime to present themselves to the revolutionary government.

Over nearly a century, alongside the gentle flow of the Dinh River through the city, Round House still retains its original appearance as a witness to the nation’s significant events. Today, Round House stands there as a historical witness and has become the nesting place for hundreds of swifts just below the large water tank of the tower. Every morning and evening, flocks of swifts soar and chirp over the water tower, creating a unique melody for the city of Ba Ria.

It can be said that the Round House Historical Relic has become an integral part of the lives of the people in Ba Ria City, harmoniously blending with the city’s development and progress along the river. On some occasions, when you visit Ba Ria City, take a moment to stop at Round House and capture the beautiful moments with Round House in the background.