The story of the victory stele

In a small park along National Highway 1, in Long An Ward, Tay Ninh Province, there is a monument to military achievements that was inaugurated at the end of April this year, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country. It is the monument to the 174th Infantry Regiment (Regiment 174) under the Provincial Military Command. The monument has three sides, recalling the outstanding achievements of the Regiment since its establishment, including the liberation of Tan An town on April 30, 1975 as well as the achievements at the Long Khot battlefield (Tuyen Binh commune).

Heroic Regiment

Regiment 174 was established on August 19, 1949 in Cao Bang , and was one of the four main units of the General Command. The Regiment's forces were selected from local army units in the Viet Bac war zone.

Monument to the 174th Infantry Regiment in a small park along Highway 1

As soon as it was established, on September 3, 1949, the Regiment fought and won its first battle in the Bong Lau - Lung Phay Pass area on Highway 4. According to veteran Trinh Tu Kha (Head of the Veterans Liaison Committee of Regiment 174 in Ho Chi Minh City), the decision to establish the Regiment was made on August 19, 1949, but the Regiment had to join forces to liberate the Chinese army to block the remnants of Chiang Kai-shek's army from crossing the border, so it was not until January 30, 1950 that the Regiment officially held its inauguration ceremony.

Promoting the spirit of "determined to fight and win", Regiment 174 continued to achieve many resounding victories on all fronts such as attacking Dong Khe stronghold, Border campaign in 1950, Tran Hung Dao campaign, Hoang Hoa Tham campaign in 1951-1952, campaign to liberate Nghia Lo town, Moc Chau,... Especially, in Dien Bien Phu campaign, the Regiment was assigned the task of capturing Hill A1.

In 1967, Regiment 174 marched across Truong Son to the Southern battlefield, continuing to achieve many feats in the Central Highlands and Southeast battlefields, including Tay Ninh. The victories at Tam Bung - Long Khanh (1969), at Snoul, Cambodia (1971), Loc Ninh (1972), Dong Thap Muoi (1972-1975),... were the outstanding feats of the Regiment.

“On the battlefield of the Southeast region, during the “Red Summer of 1972 - Nguyen Hue Campaign”, the Regiment was the main spearhead of the 5th Division to attack and liberate Loc Ninh town. In April 1974, the Regiment captured Long Khot sub-region, opening a corridor for our army to advance to the Mekong Delta, to Military Region 9. Participating in the Ho Chi Minh campaign in the formation of the 5th Division - Group 232, the Regiment cut through Route 4, liberating Tan An town (now Long An ward, Tan An ward)” - Veteran Trinh Tu Kha - Head of the Liaison Committee of Veterans of Regiment 174 in Ho Chi Minh City, said.

In 1972, the Regiment was ordered to move to fight on the Dong Thap Muoi battlefield, a delta region with many canals and streams, making it difficult to use large formations and requiring frequent force movements by boat on open terrain. The first battle in the delta region was the attack on the enemy's weak Long Khot area from June 10, 1972 to the evening of June 12, 1972.

Because we were not used to fighting in open areas, without cover, and in mud that made it difficult to maneuver, we could not completely destroy the target, but we also caused heavy damage to the Long Khot area. After that, the Regiment quickly consolidated, causing heavy damage to many puppet battalions and regiments, shooting down 4 planes, burning 11 M113s, 5 military vehicles, and liberating 6,000 people.

In the dry season of 1973-1974, the Regiment continued to receive the mission of destroying the Long Khot stronghold. In this second battle of Long Khot, the Regiment achieved heroic feats.

On the night of April 28, 1974, the commando battalion secretly infiltrated and cut through 7 layers of fences to the west and northwest of Long Khot, opened 2 gates, and prepared for our tanks and infantry to attack. At dawn on April 29, the commando force used explosives to blow up the fence, opened 2 gates, and the regiment's mortars fired at targets in the key area. As the morning progressed, the battle became more fierce, but our forces still steadfastly raised their formation and advanced to approach the gates.

At 5:00 p.m. on April 29, Regiment 174 completely took control of Long Khot area, opening the corridor to the center of Dong Thap Muoi. After that, the Regiment continued to attack and liberate Thai Tri, Go Da, Chua Noi,... successfully ending the 1973-1974 dry season operation.

In particular, during the Ho Chi Minh campaign, the Regiment, together with units of the 5th Division, successfully completed the mission of blocking Highway 4 (now National Highway 1), attacking and liberating many localities, including Tan An town (now Long An ward, Tan An ward, Tay Ninh province), contributing to the complete liberation of the South and national reunification.

Talking about the achievements of Regiment 174 in the Southern battlefield, Major General Vu Viet Cam - former Deputy Commander of Regiment 174, once shared: "During 8 years of fighting in the Southern battlefield, Regiment 174 was honored to participate in most of the major campaigns. The Regiment was also trusted by superiors many times to participate in key, opening battles."

Engrave the epic

The feats as well as the losses and sacrifices of the officers and soldiers of Regiment 174 on Tay Ninh land are still remembered by the next generation. Along the Long Khot River is the martyrs' temple of the National Historical Site of Long Khot Fort Area. Every year on May 19, a ceremony to honor the heroic martyrs is held here, and many people come to offer incense and pay their respects.

In addition to training and combat readiness activities, Infantry Regiment 174 also participates in civil mobilization activities and new rural construction (Photo: Provided by Infantry Regiment 174)

In Long An ward, the Victory Monument of the 174th Infantry Regiment was inaugurated in April as a reminder to future generations of the value of peace and independence today. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Victory Monument, Chairman of Long An ward People's Committee (at that time Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of Tan An City People's Committee) Vo Hong Thao affirmed: "The inauguration of this Victory Monument is a sacred reminder to today's and future generations of the great merit of the heroic martyrs, war invalids and Vietnamese Heroic Mothers. The Party Committee, army and people of Tan An City vow to forever remember the noble sacrifices of the heroic martyrs on this land".

Promoting the glorious tradition of the heroic unit, over the years, Regiment 174 has always performed well the tasks of the army and the unit: organizing good training, high combat readiness; closely attached to the Party Committee, government and people in the stationed area; excellently completing all assigned tasks;... 100% of officers and soldiers are mentally secure, ready to receive and complete all tasks.

Major Vu Truong Trung - Political Commissar of Infantry Regiment 174, said: In 2024 and the first 6 months of 2025, the unit's training results were excellent, especially BB1 Company achieved the title of excellent training unit for the 12th consecutive year; excellently completed the task of training new soldiers; coordinated with colleges and intermediate schools in the province to teach military and national defense subjects. In addition, the Regiment also participated in mass mobilization activities, built new rural areas, supported overcoming the consequences of natural disasters and floods, organized search and rescue, promptly helped people overcome difficulties, stabilized their lives to consolidate the "people's hearts", built a national defense associated with the people's security posture./.

With its great achievements, the Party and State twice awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces to Infantry Regiment 174 (the first time in June 1976, the second time in December 1979).

Guilin

*Reference: History of the heroic 174th Infantry Regiment (1949-2012)

Source: https://baolongan.vn/cau-chuyen-ve-tam-bia-chien-cong-a202086.html