Half a century after the historic victory, Vietnam now enters a new era - "building a glorious future for the nation."

On this special anniversary, VietNamNet presents a series titled "April 30 - A New Era," featuring reflections from experts, military leaders, and living witnesses who share memories, lessons, and experiences from the resistance war against the United States.

Their insights reaffirm the strength of national unity, the will to safeguard independence, and the unwavering faith to enter a new era of development.

We invite readers to meet these "living monuments," witnesses to history’s pivotal moments.

Standing in front of the Independence Palace this April, filled with pride, Tu De and Tran Van On gaze at the sky where the Vietnamese Air Force will perform at the 50th anniversary celebration of national reunification.

Both men were pilots of the Quyet Thang Squadron  -  a unit known for its talented, dashing members. On April 28, 1975, they carried out a daring and unexpected strike against Tan Son Nhat Airport.

During that crucial air raid, the Vietnamese Air Force destroyed 24 enemy aircraft and numerous fuel and weapons depots, contributing significantly to the great victory of April 30, 1975.

In this historic photo, pilot Tu De (third from left) and pilot Tran Van On (third from right) are seen with the Quyet Thang Squadron at Thanh Son Airbase (Phan Rang) in the late afternoon of April 28, 1975. The six pilots, having just returned from the successful mission, hold their flight helmets and smile brightly.

This April, Mr. On traveled from Tien Giang to Ho Chi Minh City to film a documentary and had the chance to reunite with his old comrade. They warmly inquired about each other's health and families, then reminisced about their days soaring through the skies and achieving historic victories.

Mr. De recalled his first meeting with Mr. On: "Back then, Tran Van On and Tran Ngoc Sanh were pilots from the former regime. They were brought to Phu Cat Airbase to instruct us on the technical aspects of the A-37 aircraft. At first, there was some hesitation, but we quickly bonded. We lived, ate, and worked together.

We treated each other with respect for our skills and love for our country, without distinction between former South or North Vietnamese pilots. After all these years, On has remained the gentle, genuine man from the Mekong Delta. Our 50-year friendship remains strong."

Fifty years ago, the pilots had only a few days to familiarize themselves with the newly captured A-37 aircraft in preparation for the Tan Son Nhat bombing mission.

The A-37’s layout was completely different from the planes they had previously flown  -  from the brake positions to the control switches.

During their rapid conversion training, pilots Nguyen Thanh Trung, Tran Van On, and Tran Ngoc Sanh translated English labels into Vietnamese, writing them out and pasting them over the original text inside the cockpit.

"They adapted incredibly fast. From the start of training to the mission, it took only a few days," On said, still impressed by his revolutionary comrades' abilities.

At the Independence Palace reunion, Mr. On said emotionally: "I’m so happy that despite our age, we can still meet again here in Saigon to reminisce about old times."

Their story continued at the Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum on Le Duan Street (District 1).

The museum guide was astonished to recognize Tu De and Tran Van On, quickly introducing them to a group of visiting students: "Let me introduce you: these are two of the six pilots from the Quyet Thang Squadron."

De cheerfully introduced his old friend to the students. "Do you still remember this?" "Weren’t there three of us that day?" they teased each other, laughing warmly.

Mr. De said: "As long as we are healthy and our memories remain, we must continue to tell the history for future generations."

His simple yet powerful words underscore their sense of responsibility in preserving the nation's memory.

Both men, now nearing 80 years old, were deeply moved as they revisited artifacts and documents from 1975.

At 4:17 PM on April 28, 1975, the Quyet Thang Squadron received their mission orders.

Flying in an "A" formation, pilot Nguyen Thanh Trung led as Number 1, Tu De as Number 2, with Hoang Mai Vuong and Tran Van On following as Number 5.

"We flew low, about 300–400 meters, hugging the coastline to avoid radar detection. Upon reaching the target, each aircraft dropped bombs precisely, then disengaged and flew back. We aimed only at the hangars, not the runway.

At first, the enemy at Tan Son Nhat thought it was an internal revolt. The command post kept asking, 'Which squadron’s A-37s are these?' but we remained silent.

I was the last to release bombs  -  four bombs in one pass. Because we flew from Phan Rang, I had to carry extra fuel tanks and only four bombs. When I landed, my plane was nearly out of fuel  -  just enough to make it safely," Mr. On recalled with a smile.

He added: "I deeply admired Commander Le Van Tri's decision not to bomb the runway. He said, 'We want to shock the Americans into retreating, not trap them. If we destroy the runway, the war could drag on, leading to more casualties.'"

At the museum today, visitors can see artifacts such as a cockpit canopy from a U.S. light aircraft and the flight suit worn by pilot Tu De during the Tan Son Nhat raid on April 28, 1975.

For the two aging pilots, reuniting with comrades from the Quyet Thang Squadron remains a cherished memory.

Mr. On recalled emotionally: "The moment when Commander Le Van Tri handed me  -  a former pilot of the old regime  -  the uniform of the liberation army was unforgettable. It was a moment of deep trust and honor."

Before parting, Tu De and Tran Van On promised to reunite again soon  -  perhaps at the opening of the new T3 Terminal at Tan Son Nhat Airport, the site of their legendary mission, and for the official celebration of the 50th anniversary of reunification.

Nguyen Hue