The National Special Heritage Site of Dong Khoi in Ben Tre

The Dong Khoi Historical Site in Ben Tre is located in Dinh Thuy Commune, Mo Cay Nam District, Ben Tre Province. It is the site where the Dong Khoi event took place on January 17, 1960, marking the beginning of the Dong Khoi movement during the Southern Vietnam Revolution. This event was a turning point in the anti-American resistance, sparking a wave of uprisings across the southern region, weakening the government of the Republic of Vietnam and laying the foundation for the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam.

Historical Context

In May 1959, the 15th Party Central Committee Conference outlined the revolutionary path for the entire country and the South, with the aim of liberating the South from imperialist control, achieving national independence, and securing land for the peasants. To implement this goal, in early December 1959, the Southern Party Committee of Region 8 decided to launch the Dong Khoi movement. The Ben Tre Provincial Party Committee chose three communes—Dinh Thuy, Phuoc Hiep, and Binh Khanh—as the focal points for the first uprisings.

The Dong Khoi Movement

After the first victory in Dinh Thuy, the Dong Khoi movement spread to the communes of Phuoc Hiep and Binh Khanh. On January 17, 1960, in Phuoc Hiep, the people simultaneously rose up, destroying local militias and police stations, and regained control of the area. In Binh Khanh, after days of intense fighting, the commune was fully liberated by January 20, 1960.

The Dong Khoi movement not only took place in Ben Tre but also quickly spread to other provinces in the Mekong Delta and the Southern region. Revolutionary organizations were formed, which later became the foundation for the prolonged struggle, while simultaneously undermining the counterinsurgency policies of the South Vietnam government.

Today, the Dong Khoi Historical Site in Ben Tre includes two main locations:
1. The Dong Khoi Traditional House: Built in 2001, it displays images and artifacts about the Dong Khoi movement and the revolutionary struggles from 1954 to 1959. The house features the symbol of the Dong Khoi torch, which stands 12 meters tall on its roof.
2. Victory Monument: Inscribed with the phrase “Heroic Dong Khoi, defeating the US and destroying the Ngo regime,” it honors the resilience of the people of Ben Tre during the resistance.
3. Dinh Ran (Snake Temple): Built in 1878, this temple is dedicated to the local guardian deity. After several restorations, it now also houses many artifacts from the Dong Khoi movement.

Historical Significance

The Dong Khoi movement in Ben Tre was not just an armed uprising but also a symbol of the steadfast spirit of the Southern people in their fight against American imperialism. The movement succeeded in liberating rural areas, dismantling the local government apparatus of the South Vietnam regime, and laying the groundwork for the formation of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam on December 22, 1960.

The Dong Khoi movement also shattered the "search-and-destroy" policy of the US, weakened the forces of the Republic of Vietnam, and marked a crucial shift in the struggle—from a defensive to an offensive strategy. This event had far-reaching implications for the revolutionary movement in the South, contributing to the eventual historic victory in the anti-American resistance and the reunification of the country.

Due to its special historical significance, the Dong Khoi Historical Site in Ben Tre was recognized as a National Special Heritage Site by the Prime Minister of Vietnam under Decision No. 2499/QĐ-TTg on December 22, 2016. It has since become a must-visit destination for those interested in learning about the courageous resistance of the people of Ben Tre and Southern Vietnam during the war.