At the age of 21, Cà Văn Hịa, a young man from Ho Cáng hamlet, Nam Thanh ward (Điện Biên Phủ city), volunteered to join the military. From 1971 to 1975, he fought in various units across different battlegrounds - from Cambodia to the Trị Thiên Huế front and the Hồ Chí Minh Campaign. His main role was to participate in combat operations, working directly with infantry units as both a guide and a fighter. Though few mementos remain, the memories of those intense years, the fierce battles, and the courage of his comrades are forever etched in his heart.

Hịa shared: “As a soldier of Uncle Hồ, no matter how difficult or dangerous the conditions were even at the cost of our lives, we always stood firm in our mission to liberate and reunify the country. The enemy continuously bombed and obstructed our path, and many of my comrades fell in battle. Yet with each sacrifice, those of us who remained pressed on. Their courage strengthened our resolve to overcome every hardship.”

Throughout the resistance war against the U.S., young people across Điện Biên province responded to patriotic movements such as “Three Readinesses” (ready to fight, ready to enlist, ready to go anywhere and do anything the country needs); “Everything for the beloved South”; and “All for the frontlines, all for victory over the American invaders”.  Inspired by these calls, countless ethnic minority youth volunteered to serve on the frontlines.

According to the History of the provincial military Party Committee of Điện Biên (1949 - 2020), to support the southern battlefield, the Party Committee, authorities, and people of the former Lai Châu province (now Điện Biên and Lai Châu provinces) mobilized tens of thousands of young people to join the military, echoing the spirit of “Not a single soldier short”. For example, between 1966 and 1968, more than 2,000 young people from the province enlisted. Almost 1,000 Điện Biên youths enlisted voluntarily during the first four recruitment rounds of 1975 to fight the American invaders. During the war, Điện Biên’s armed forces also coordinated with Lao forces in 71 battles, eliminating or capturing 600 enemy soldiers, seizing 400 weapons and a large amount of military equipment.

In the historic Hồ Chí Minh Campaign, the people, authorities and soldiers of Điện Biên - side by side with the entire nation - contributed both manpower and resources to the final push that brought complete liberation and national reunification.

Today, in times of peace, the memories of war live on in veterans like Cà Văn Hịa. In his eyes is a mix of deep emotion and pride. He gave his youth and risked his life for an independent, free Vietnam. Stories of sacrifice and heroism from his generation remain timeless lessons, nurturing patriotism in future generations. These are not just tales of history - they are a source of pride and strength, reminding every Vietnamese citizen to live in a way worthy of the sacrifices of those who came before.