Cover Memoir “From Ben Hai River to Independence Palace” shared by the son of Major General Hoang Dan, Former Chairman of FPT Software
Memoir “From Ben Hai River to Independence Palace” shared by the son of Major General Hoang Dan, Former Chairman of FPT Software
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Tatler had the pleasure of speaking with former FPT chairman Mr Hoang Nam Tien, son of Major General Hoang Dan—commander of one of the first units to advance into Saigon.
Marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the reunification of Vietnam, we met with Mr Hoang Nam Tien, a leading figure in Vietnamese business as former Chairman of FPT Software, FPT Telecom and a representative face of the FPT Corporation. What many may not realise is that alongside his corporate achievements, he is also the son of Major General Hoang Dan—a celebrated commander of the liberation army, whose unit was among the first to enter Saigon and raise the victory flag atop the Independence Palace on 30 April 1975. It was a moment that signalled the end of a devastating conflict and the beginning of a new chapter in the nation’s story.
See more: Legacy 50: Golden families and descendants continuing in the flow of Vietnamese heritage
Above Major General Hoang Dan and his wife
Major General Hoang Dan and his wife
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Sir, as the son of the late Major General Hoang Dan—a key figure in many of the country’s major campaigns, particularly during the resistance war against America—could you share how your family remembers April 30th, 1975?
That afternoon, I was still out with friends near Cau Go, on Hang Be Street. All of a sudden, a wave of people began rushing towards the lake. There were beaming faces everywhere—uncles and aunts dressed in their best, vendors leaving their stalls to join in… “Our army has won”, “Saigon is free”, “True independence!” people shouted. There were flowers, cheers, so much joy. Swept up in the excitement, we joined the jubilant crowd without hesitation.
It was 30 April 1975. That same morning, my father—Colonel Hoang Dan at the time—had reached Saigon Bridge with the 2nd Corps, 304th Division. He was determined to push through. By noon, tanks had rolled into the city, and he was among those who raised the flag above the Independence Palace, bringing a long and painful war to a close. In the days leading up to that moment, he had led troops to liberate Hue, crossed Hai Van Pass to reclaim Da Nang and the coastal provinces. It was a defining time for our family and for the country as a whole.
Soon afterwards, our family made the journey south. My father brought my mother and siblings to Saigon, and we would return again and again to visit the regiments and areas where he had lived and fought.
Just this March, during a business trip through the Central provinces, I followed in his footsteps. I took my daughter to see where her grandfather had once fought and trained. We passed through Khe Sanh, Ta Con airfield, the Quang Tri battlefields—places where he and his comrades stood firm amidst relentless shelling and gunfire.
Later, I brought my son to Hue on 25 March. Together, we visited Phu Van Lau and Mang Ca fort—the exact sites where, half a century ago, his grandfather Major General Hoang Dan had raised the flag to mark the city’s liberation. We crossed the Hien Luong bridge at the 17th parallel—a quiet crossing today, yet once a line of deep division after the Geneva Accords. I told him that while it took us only ten minutes to walk across, it had taken the country—his grandfather, grandmother, and many of our relatives—twenty-one years of sacrifice and resistance to make that short journey possible.
Above Mr Hoang Nam Tien—former Chairman of FPT Software, FPT Telecom and FPT Corporation, and son of Major General Hoang Dan, who led one of the first units to advance into Saigon (photo: NVCC)
Mr Hoang Nam Tien—former Chairman of FPT Software, FPT Telecom and FPT Corporation, and son of Major General Hoang Dan, who led one of the first units to advance into Saigon (photo: NVCC)
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Taking on leadership roles at FPT Software, FPT Telecom, and now guiding educational initiatives at FPT Education, what lasting lessons do you believe today’s leaders can draw from your father’s generation, particularly in light of Vietnam’s increasing engagement on the global stage?
The history of our nation’s struggle, through two major resistance wars, has offered countless lessons. Among them, perhaps the most enduring is the value of foresight—the ability to recognise opportunity, respond with agility, and act decisively to accelerate victory and protect the lives of soldiers.
In today’s fast-evolving world, the clarity of vision expected from a leader is more crucial than ever. Every decision carries weight—not only for the organisation and its workforce but for the families behind each individual. A misstep can have lasting repercussions.
April 30 not only marked the end of conflict, but also the beginning of a new era of national innovation. With your background in technology and a forward-thinking mindset, what do you see as the most significant “innovation lesson” Vietnam has learnt—and continues to learn—from its past?
To me, it is the lesson of “thinking differently—doing differently.” In the complex global context of the last century, where opposing interests and ideologies collided, achieving peace was no easy task. Yet, with a clear commitment to unity and sovereignty, our Party and armed forces made the bold decision to liberate the South—not eventually, but by the rainy season of 1975. That determination, that distinct way of thinking, is what led to the momentous events of 30 April. It reflected the will of the leadership, and the collective yearning for peace across the nation.
That same mindset emerged once again when Vietnam swiftly entered the renovation period, guided by the late General Secretary Truong Chinh’s decision to transform the economic model—even as other socialist states were grappling with upheaval.
Today, we continue to see that spirit of innovation, from the restructuring of provinces and municipalities to the national movement for “Digital Literacy for the People.” These are not surface-level shifts, but deep and determined efforts to prepare the nation for a new era shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid change. It speaks to the vision of our leaders, and the readiness of the people, working together to move forward.
A powerful lesson from our history is the art of uniting the people towards a common cause, what we call a people’s war. Vietnam, a small country, has triumphed over much larger forces not by relying on the latest weapons or technologies, but through unity. That strength came from the people—their resolve, their support, their shared commitment. In 1941, when President Ho Chi Minh returned to lead the revolutionary movement, he famously said, “When the masses are highly enlightened, we will have weapons.” He also reminded us: “A hundred times easier without the people, we can endure. Ten thousand times harder, we can overcome”—a thought that has echoed through generations.
When we, at FPT, entered the business world, that same spirit was with us. Whether we were working with global corporations or launching software projects, we moved as one—from the Chairman to the cleaning staff. We were united by a shared ambition: “Go global.” It was never just about earning a living. It was about contributing our knowledge and effort to place Vietnam firmly on the world map.
Above Mr Hoang Nam Tien speaking at the book launch in Hanoi
Mr Hoang Nam Tien speaking at the book launch in Hanoi
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Nearly fifty years after reunification, April 30 stands not only as a symbol of victory, but as a moment to reflect on social responsibility. As someone engaged in education and community outreach, how do you see the role of entrepreneurs in promoting the values of peace?
On a recent visit to the former battlefields where my father once fought, my daughter and I stopped at the Mine Action Centre in Dong Ha, Quang Tri. Though the war ended over half a century ago, tens of thousands of tonnes of unexploded ordnance remain buried, and dedicated teams continue the painstaking work of clearance. Their efforts, largely unknown to the public, are undertaken quietly each day. These men and women—working in times of peace with the same courage once shown in war—are people I hold in deep regard.
You don’t have to be an entrepreneur to contribute or to spread the values of peace. The desire for freedom is a shared national legacy, and while having a platform and means can help, what truly matters is doing one’s work well and caring for those around us. That, to me, is the most meaningful way to honour and uphold the spirit of peace.
I once asked my father how many lives had been lost under his command. After a long pause, he said perhaps more than 30,000 soldiers had fallen. Later, when I took on leadership at FPT and embarked on our major missions, I quietly set myself a personal goal: to take 30,000 young Vietnamese talents out into the world—to help them use their minds to make a mark globally. The same hand that once held a weapon can hold a pen, a keyboard—tools to build personal fulfilment and contribute to the nation's progress.
Today, as the AI era brings both fresh opportunities and uncertainties, I feel the responsibility—along with my colleagues at FPT—to help the next generation of Vietnamese students rise to meet the world. At FPT, whether in high school or university, our students are taught not just to learn, but to self-learn, to explore, and to evolve. Alongside academic subjects, they study Vovinam and traditional musical instruments like the monochord. We aim to nurture individuals who can shape their own paths and dreams—young people who may one day study or work anywhere in the world, yet carry with them a deeply Vietnamese identity.
If you could offer a message to today’s youth on April 30—those who live in peace yet face new challenges—what would you like to say about leadership, creativity, and the responsibility of carrying forward your ancestors’ legacy?
Embrace the spirit of a soldier. Carry forward the wisdom and resilience of those who came before, and face the world with belief in your ability to triumph.
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