On January 17, 1960, under the leadership of the Ben Tre Provincial Party Committee, the people rose in the remarkable General Uprising (Dong Khoi) movement. Millions of people, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or religion, united to launch an uprising that transformed the southern revolution from a defensive position into a strategic offensive. The "Long-Haired Army" emerged during this movement, symbolizing the Vietnamese people’s patriotism. In the photo: The "Long-Haired Army" in Ben Tre province protests against the US and the US-aided and abetted Sai Gon regime. (Photo: former Liberation News Agency-now Vietnam News Agency)
The name of General Nguyen Thi Dinh is closely associated with the founding and development of Ben Tre province's "Long-Haired Army" in 1967. (Photo: VNA archives)
General Nguyen Thi Dinh with female heroes, exemplary fighters, and women officials at the 2nd Congress of Heroes and Emulation Fighters of the People’s Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (September 1967). (Photo: former Liberation News Agency-now Vietnam News Agency)
The "Long-Haired Army" of Ben Tre demonstrates against the US and the US-aided and abetted Sai Gon regime. (Photo: VNA archives)
The "Long-Haired Army" protests in 1961, demanding an end to youth conscription and asking the US and the US-backed Saigon regime to cease repression. (Photo: VNA archives)
The "Long-Haired Army" of Ben Tre protests against the fascist Law 10/59, demanding the establishment of a progressive democratic government, and opposing the US and its puppet administration’s military base construction in preparation for war. (Photo: VNA archives)
The "Long-Haired Army" members who participated in the Dong Khoi Movement (1960) in Dinh Thuy commune, Mo Cay Nam district, Ben Tre province, reunite at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Dong Khoi Movement (January 17, 2010). (Photo: VNA)
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (second right, first row) is pictured with a veteran of the Long-Haired Army of Ben Tre Province at the 60th anniversary of Dong Khoi (General Uprising) movement and 100th birth anniversary of General Nguyen Thi Dinh, 2020. (Photo: VNA)
65th anniversary of Dong Khoi (General Uprising)
Vietnam's legendary long-haired army
In the history of Vietnam, there was a unique unit that contributed a great deal to the war against the Americans. Consisting entirely of females, the force, known as 'Long-Haired Army', was formed in the Dong Khoi (General Uprising) that started throughout the South in the 1960s.
