APRIL 30 – VIETNAM’S REUNIFICATION DAY
April 30, 1975 is one of the most important days in Vietnam’s modern history. On this
day, the Vietnam War officially ended. The Southern part of Vietnam was completely
liberated, and the country was reunified after more than 20 years of separation and war.
Since then, April 30 has been celebrated annually as Reunification Day or Victory Day.
After the Geneva Accords in 1954, Vietnam was temporarily divided at the 17th parallel.
The North was governed by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, while the South was
controlled by the Republic of Vietnam (also known as the Saigon regime), with strong
support from the United States. This led to a long and intense conflict known as the
Vietnam War or the Resistance War against America.
Throughout more than two decades of war, the Vietnamese people showed great courage,
unity, and determination to fight for independence and freedom. In early 1975, the
Vietnamese army launched a series of major military campaigns, beginning with the
Central Highlands campaign, followed by the Hue-Da Nang campaign, and finally the Ho
Chi Minh Campaign.
On the morning of April 30, 1975, the Liberation Army entered Saigon. By noon, a tank
numbered 390 broke through the gates of the Independence Palace, the headquarters of
the South Vietnamese government. Shortly after, President Dương Văn Minh surrendered
unconditionally. This historic moment marked the end of the war and the reunification of
Vietnam.
April 30 is more than a day of victory. It is a symbol of peace, unity, and the indomitable
spirit of the Vietnamese people. It reminds us of the great sacrifices made by previous
generations so that today’s generations can live in peace and freedom.
For students and young people, this day is an opportunity to learn about national history,
to be grateful, and to work hard for a better future. Remembering April 30 means
remembering who we are and where we come from.
1. What happened on April 30, 1975?
A. President Hồ Chí Minh was born
B. The Vietnam War began
C. Vietnam was divided into two parts
D. The South of Vietnam was liberated and the country was reunified
2. How was Vietnam divided after the Geneva Accords in 1954?
A. North and South, at the 17th parallel
B. East and West
C. North and Central
D. North and South, at the 13th parallel
3. What was the Republic of Vietnam also known as?
A. The North Vietnamese government
B. The Saigon regime
C. The Indochinese Federation
D. The Viet Minh
4. Which country mainly supported the South Vietnamese government during the war?
A. France
B. The United States
C. China
D. Russia
5. What was the name of the final military campaign that led to victory?
A. Dien Bien Phu Campaign
B. Hue Campaign
C. Ho Chi Minh Campaign
D. Mekong Campaign
6. What happened at the Independence Palace on April 30, 1975?
A. It was destroyed by bombs
B. It became a museum
C. A tank broke through its gates, and the president surrendered
D. A peace agreement was signed
7. What was the number of the tank that entered the Independence Palace?
A. 275
B. 100
C. 390
D. 520
8. Who was the president of South Vietnam who surrendered on April 30?
A. Ngô Đình Diệm
B. Nguyễn Văn Thiệu
C. Dương Văn Minh
D. Trần Văn Hương
9. What does April 30 symbolize for Vietnam today?
A. The start of the school year
B. Peace, unity, and national pride
C. A religious festival
D. An international treaty
10. Why is it important for young people to remember April 30?
A. To prepare for exams
B. To plan future holidays
C. To understand history, be grateful, and build a better future
D. To celebrate family day
MATH
1. Motion Word Problem – Liberation Army Advancing into Saigon
Context:
During the Ho Chi Minh Campaign in April 1975, Vietnamese liberation forces advanced
from multiple directions toward Saigon to end the war.
Problem:
A unit of the liberation army moved from Tây Ninh to Saigon, a distance of 120 km.
They started at 6:00 AM and arrived at the Independence Palace at 11:00 AM.
Question:
What was their average speed in kilometers per hour?
2. Financial Problem – Rebuilding Vietnam after Reunification
Context:
After the war ended in 1975, the Vietnamese government had to rebuild cities and
infrastructure destroyed during decades of conflict.
Problem:
The government allocated 6 billion VND to rebuild three major cities equally: Saigon
(now Ho Chi Minh City), Hue, and Da Nang.
How much money did each city receive?
If Da Nang spent only 90% of its share, how much did it actually use?
How much money remained from Da Nang's budget?
Extension:
If the leftover amount was redirected to build schools, and each school costs 150 million
VND, how many schools could be built?
3.
Context:
Imagine you're standing at the top of the Independence Palace, looking straight toward
the front gate. You want to find out the shortest straight-line distance from the top of the
palace to the gate.
Problem:
The palace is 30 meters tall, and the horizontal distance from the base of the building to
the main gate is 40 meters.
Using the Pythagorean theorem, calculate the straight-line distance from the top of the
palace to the front gate.
