“Established in 2004.” That’s the detail that marks Phường Long Hòa’s administrative creation. But its story stretches back much further. Phường Long Hòa is a place of resilience and transformation. It sits within Bình Thủy District. This is a part of Cần Thơ city in Vietnam.
Imagine now the early settlers. They arrived in the Mekong Delta around the 17th century. They sought refuge from the Nguyen and Trinh lords’ conflicts. These pioneers cleared new lands. This marked the initial establishment of Gia Dinh province in the early 19th century. This region later became Saigon.
Saigon emerged as an urban center on the Bến Nghé River’s bank. It featured a bustling market called Chợ Lớn. A prominent street also grew. It was named Sài Gòn. This was the origin of the modern city of Saigon. It later became Ho Chi Minh City.
Phường Long Hòa did not exist yet as we know it today. But the spirit of its people was already being formed. They joined in the patriotic movements that swept through Nam Kỳ. This Cochinchina region played a key role in Vietnam’s fight for independence. Patriots participated in the Đông Du movement. They sought national liberation in Japan. Others joined the Việt Nam Quang Phục Hội. They aimed to restore Vietnam.
Secret societies like Thiên Địa Hội also emerged. In 1916, its members even attacked the Residence of the Nam Kỳ Governor. They also stormed the Saigon Central Prison. These acts underscored the intense desire for freedom.
After World War I, new forms of resistance appeared. These included press attacks against the colonial power. Strikes disrupted factories and markets. Demonstrations demanded democratic liberties. The campaign to free Phan Bội Châu in 1925 stirred Saigon. The unrest during Phan Chu Trinh’s funeral in 1926 left a lasting impact.
In 1930, the Indochinese Communist Party formed. It had strong support in Saigon. The city even housed its Central Committee. Despite setbacks in the early 1930s, Saigon witnessed continuous strikes. It also saw demonstrations in its factories and markets.
From 1936 to 1939, a democratic movement flourished. Saigon took the lead. Workers and other citizens pushed for an Indochinese Congress. This was to voice their demands for self-governance.
During World War II, France fell to German fascists. Vietnamese patriots faced repression. The ICP prepared for an uprising. Many Vietnamese soldiers in the French army joined the national cause. In November 1940, a revolt was launched across Nam Kỳ. Saigon was the epicenter. While the revolt was suppressed, the spirit of resistance lived on.
After August 1945, Saigon quickly seized power. This happened one week after the revolution succeeded in Hanoi. The French returned with British help. The Resistance Committee of the Saigon-Cholon Region formed. It urged non-collaboration. Barricades went up. In December, a French corps landed. They broke through the encirclement. They penetrated into the provinces.
In 1948, the Military Command of Saigon-Cholon was established. Its bold actions supported the struggle of workers and students. In 1950, hundreds of thousands protested the presence of U.S. warships. The French intensified repression. But Saigon’s people continued their multifaceted struggle.
Today, Phường Long Hòa stands as a testament to this history. It is a place shaped by centuries of struggle. It is also defined by the unwavering spirit of its people. From its early days as part of Gia Dinh province to its role in the fight for independence. Phường Long Hòa represents the heart of Vietnamese resilience. It remains an integral part of Ho Chi Minh City.