He participated in revolutionary activities before the August Revolution and was assigned the task of Agitation and propaganda among enemy soldiers in Hoàng Mai region, then Hà Đông Uprising Committee. Here, he used a trick to command the self-defense team to occupy Đồng Quan post, building a reputation for the revolution and taking rice to save the people.

Photo: The family of comrade Lê Trọng Tấn

In 1954, during the Điện Biên Phủ campaign, he held the position of Battalion commander of the Battalion 312 who directed the attack from the East on the center of the enemy headquarters in Mường Thanh, taking General De Castries alive.

Photo: The Vietnam People's Army's flag titled “Fight hard for victory” fluttered on the roof of General De Castries' bunker.

General Võ Nguyên Giáp handed over the “Fight hard for victory” flag to Battalion 312 during the Điện Biên Phủ Victory Celebration held in Mường Phăng, May 1954

Source: VNA

As the "best friend" of General Võ Nguyên Giáp, he was always trusted and assigned important tasks. From South to North, from plain to border. On the fierce battlefields, General Lê Trọng Tấn would be sent to command the soldiers there.

Photo: Lieutenant General Lê Trọng Tấn and General Võ Nguyên Giáp, 1975

"He spent most of his life time on fierce battlefields and directed hundreds of battles in both the South and the North", including "Border (1950), Hòa Bình (1951), Northwest (1952)" ), Upper Laos (1953), Điện Biên Phủ (1954), Trail 9 - Southern Laos (1971), Trị Thiên(1972), Đà Nẵng (1975) and the Spring 1975 General Offensive and Uprising.

Photo: Lieutenant General Lê Trọng Tấn on the battlefield

Major General Lê Trọng Tấn and comrade Lê Quang Đạo at the Quảng Trị front in 1972

Major General Le Trong Tan (first from the right) at the Command of Quảng Trị Campaign, 1972

The Commanders-in-Chief discussed battle plan, 1973

The story about a general who for 3 times "argued" with his Commander (General Võ Nguyên Giáp): His first "argument" took place during the Điện Biên Phủ campaign when the strategy was changed from quick battle, quick victory into careful battle, certain victory in 1954. The second time took place before the battle in Đà Nẵng (1975) when one proposal regarding which time to attack a targer was not approved. Although the first two arguments produced no results, in the third time, General Tấn completely convinced General Giáp. After the Liberation of Đà Nẵng, he proposed to establish an Eastern wing that would both advanced and fought along the coast line, which was contrary to the original plan of moving through the Central Highlands to attack Saigon. His proposal was accepted, and General Tấn quickly ordered the Corps 2 and 4 to set out, and they were able to liberate the places where they passed. When the army arrived at the gate of Saigon, he once again "argued" and did not want to follow the set plan:
“According to the plan, at 5:30 am on April 30, 1975, the wings simultaneously attacked Saigon. Particularly for the eastern wing, Mr. Lê Trọng Tấn proposed to open fire from 6pm on April 29. That was because forces were still 15 to 20km from the coastal area, they had to fight the enemy while moving, not to mention having to cross Đồng Nai and Saigon rivers, and if all forces had to open fire at the same time, they wouldn’t make it in time." (Memoirs: The Headquarters in the Victorious Spring - General Võ Nguyên Giáp).

The Corps 2 was assigned with the task of liberating Saigon

Source: VNA

The soldiers from Corps 4 expressed their determination over Hồ Chí Minh campaign, April 24, 1975

Source: Museum of Southeastern Armed Forces

In 1954, he was the commander of the Battalion 312 who commanded the eastern wing to attack Mường Thanh and took General De Castries alive. In 1975, he held the position of Commander directing the armies of the Eastern Wing to launch an attack on Independence Palace - the headquarters of the Saigon puppet government, and to take President Dương Văn Minh alive.
Two battles marked by two historical milestones put an end to two wars with the French expeditionary army, the US imperialists and the Saigon puppet government, which opened up a new era of independence and freedom for the nation. He fully deserved the honor, as praised by General Võ Nguyên Giáp: “Two battles deserve 2 times he is honoured as Hero.”

General De Castries and the entire enemy Command in Điện Biên Phủ, May 7, 1954

Source: VNA

The President of the Republic of Vietnam Dương Văn Minh who was on his way to Saigon Radio Station declared an unconditional surrender, April 30, 1975.

Source: VNA