Petrovietnam returned to the GK61 memorial site on the 45th anniversary of the first industrial gas production from Tien Hai C, honoring the pioneers of Vietnam’s oil and gas industry and passing their spirit to future generations.
(PetroTimes) – On the afternoon of April 19, the Petrovietnam delegation continued its Energy Journey marking the 45th anniversary of the first industrial gas production from the Tien Hai C field (April 19, 1981 - April 19, 2026) with a return-to-the-source activity at the GK61 well memorial site – regarded as the “Ancestral Well” of Vietnam’s oil and gas industry, now the country’s energy industry.
In a solemn atmosphere, delegates offered incense in memory of President Ho Chi Minh and laid flowers at the GK61 memorial monument, expressing deep gratitude to the pioneering generations who laid the foundation of the oil and gas industry during its difficult early days. The occasion also gave present and future generations an opportunity to receive, preserve and promote values forged over time.
Speaking at the program, Mr. Pham Quang Dung, Member of the Standing Committee, Chief of the Party Committee Office, Chairman of the Petrovietnam Veterans Association and head of the delegation, emphasized that exactly 45 years earlier the first gas from the Tien Hai C field had been produced, marking an important turning point and realizing the aspirations and intelligence of the “fire seekers.” Returning to this place, generations of Petrovietnam employees were not only revisiting a historic milestone but also paying tribute to the contributions and sacrifices of those who came before and gaining fresh motivation for the journey ahead.
According to Mr. Pham Quang Dung, the return journey carried special significance as Vietnam’s oil and gas industry approaches the 65th anniversary of its tradition. Stories from historical witnesses would inspire young people to understand the value of the industry more deeply, nurturing professional pride and responsibility to continue its legacy.
A highlight of the program was a field visit and presentation at the memorial site under the guidance of representatives from PVEP Song Hong. Delegates learned directly about the well system, production equipment and traces preserved from the early development period of the industry.
Former Deputy Director of the Petroleum Department Nguyen Xuan Nhu shared an unforgettable milestone in the memories of the “fire seekers.” He recalled March 18, 1975, when the first gas suddenly erupted from Well 61 – a moment he said could “never be forgotten for a lifetime.”
Conditions were extremely difficult and equipment was basic, but when the gas appeared, joy erupted. Engineers and workers embraced one another, unable to hide their emotion. It was not only the joy of a technical discovery but also confirmation of a powerful belief: beneath their homeland there truly was an energy resource that Vietnamese people could discover and master themselves.
According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Nhu, the first steps at Well 61 and the Tien Hai C field are why Thai Binh is considered the “cradle” of Vietnam’s oil and gas industry. The area laid the foundation for domestic petroleum exploration, appraisal and production, opening an entirely new industry from almost nothing.
More than half a century later, those memories remain deeply emotional. They recall a difficult era while continuing to inspire pride and motivation among today’s oil and gas workforce.
Former Chairman of the Members’ Council and former General Director of Petrovietnam Phung Dinh Thuc said the fact that the GK61 project has remained durable for 45 years clearly demonstrates that every stage – from design and construction to operation – was built on a scientific foundation. Valve systems, pipelines, color standards and technical structures were all carefully calculated to ensure long-term safety and efficiency.
He also recalled the difficulties of the project’s early phase, when the oil and gas industry faced severe shortages of materials and equipment due to embargoes and limited resources. In those circumstances, equipment was reused and recovered from old drilling rigs, with workers even having to seek individual valves and components from many places for assembly. Several important components were designed and manufactured by Vietnamese engineers themselves, demonstrating the industry’s spirit of self-reliance and creativity.
The memorial site does more than recreate the past. It also reflects the role of Tien Hai gas in local economic development. The gas was used for electricity production and helped form and expand the ceramics industrial zone, supporting the transformation of the area from a primarily agricultural region into a dynamic industrial center.
During the program, the delegation also joined a discussion where historical witnesses continued sharing stories of petroleum exploration and production during wartime and periods of shortage. Lessons of self-reliance, confidence and perseverance were emphasized as core values that should be preserved in the new development period.
A notable activity was “Send to the Future”, involving multiple generations. Delegates wrote messages and expectations for younger people, which will be stored at the memorial site for many years. The activity is a way of connecting the past, present and future and creating a continuous flow of Petrovietnam tradition and aspiration.
Speaking at the program, Mr. Tran Quang Dung, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Petrovietnam Party Committee, said that although the activity was modest in scale, it had profound significance and marked the beginning of a series of events toward the 65th Traditional Day of Vietnam’s Oil and Gas Industry.
According to Mr. Tran Quang Dung, the stories shared throughout the journey created powerful emotional “touchpoints,” helping today’s generation better understand the value of tradition and building their will and determination to continue what previous generations had worked hard to establish.
He emphasized a consistent lesson drawn from history: when intelligence and knowledge form the foundation and are combined with willpower, aspiration and a pioneering spirit, great achievements can be created. This is an important internal resource for Petrovietnam’s sustainable development today.
Mr. Tran Quang Dung also affirmed that in the context of energy transition and the need to renew growth models, mastering science and technology, innovation and digital transformation are not merely slogans. They have been proven by the industry’s own practical experience over the past half century.
He therefore called on Petrovietnam’s young generation to continue promoting the spirit of the “fire seekers,” proactively master technology, renew thinking and act decisively to realize the Group’s major development goals, moving toward a position among leading enterprises in the region and the world. He emphasized the journey’s central message: “Preserve the Flame of Tradition and Create the Energy of the Future.”
From the GK61 “Ancestral Well,” the 45-year journey is not simply remembered as a milestone; it continues to be transformed into motivation for development. The flame of faith, intelligence and aspiration from earlier generations still burns quietly, guiding Petrovietnam employees today as they move confidently toward creating the future.
Reporters’ Group