“The South called, we answered”

ĐBP - In the historical month of April, as the entire country focuses on the South - the place that marks the bright victory of the nation in the Spring of 1975, we met with soldiers who contributed to the glorious victory. These war veterans, now living humbly in the heroic land of Điện Biên province, shared their stories.

Veteran Chu Văn Hải, 75 years old, from Residential Quarter 4, Noong Bua ward (Điện Biên Phủ city), was once a signal soldier, fighting on the the Southern battlefields. Despite carrying 35% of the effects of Agent Orange/dioxin, he remains lively, his eyes glowing with the spirit of a soldier. As the son of a martyr who fought against the French colonialists, Hải was not required to enlist, but with the spirit of “owing the country, avenging the family,” he volunteered to fight and was assigned to Company 31, Battalion 18, Division 320A.

Hải held: “In the early days of training in Đông Quan (Thái Bình province), I joked with a friend named Chiến who joined on the same day: ‘In the battlefield, I will supply ammo for you.’ Little did I know, that would be our last conversation. He was killed in the Tây Nguyên battlefield, never to meet his newlywed wife!”

Veteran Chu Văn Hải shares memory of fighting with his wife Phạm Thị Cam.

Recalling the rapid march during the war, Hải got emotional: “We received an urgent order from General Võ Nguyên Giáp - the “Big brother” of the Vietnam People’s Army: “Move quickly, even faster! Be bold, even bolder! Seize every minute and every hour; rush to the South! Engage in decisive battles for total victory!” We marched day and night, not thinking about life or death. There was a time when five of us were bombed, and I jumped into a stream to soak myself. When I came up, no one was left. Only a patch of burned earth remained.”

As a signal soldier, Hải and his comrades ensured smooth communication lines from the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army to the division, contributing to the command structure for the entire campaign. He was among the first to receive the news of victory when the flag of the Liberation Army flew on the roof of the Independence Palace. “We all cheered, some soldiers even shot into the air in excitement. That moment was unforgettable,” he added.

After the war, Hải, along with 50 other households, went to clear land and build the economy in Chiềng Sinh commune, Tuần Giáo district. He is currently a member of the Điện Biên provincial Association of Agent Orange/dioxin Victims.

Born in 1952, Lường Văn Đôi, from Yên 2 hamlet, Mường Phăng commune (Điện Biên Phủ city), enlisted in February 1973 in Company 1, Battalion 1, Regiment 174, Division 316, and directly participated in the Hồ Chí Minh Campaign. At 73, his voice still exudes the strength and spirit of the soldier he once was. When we contacted him for an interview, he enthusiastically said, “I will be ready at 3p.m., my house is at the top of the hill, turn right after the cemetery, it’s the house with the red tin roof!”

Veteran Lường Văn Đôi recounts to the reporter the horrors of the war that he and his comrades endured.

When we reached Yên 2 hamlet, a group of students cheerfully pointed us to his house: “That is Đôi’s house, he often tells us stories about the war!”

In his worn military uniform, Đôi shook our hands firmly and began: “Back then, we were only eighteen or twenty, and the energy of youth was burning inside us. Hearing the loudspeakers on the gạo tree calling about the enemy’s presence in the South, I was like fire. Without thinking, I wrote an enlistment letter.”

He also shared that at that time, he only thought: “The South is calling, we will march, not sparing blood or bones, hoping for the day of reunification.”

After training in Nghĩa Lộ, Đôi’s unit marched through Nghệ An to the South, participating in battles in Buôn Ma Thuột, Củ Chi, and Tân Sơn Nhất airport. As a squad leader cum cook, Đôi took care of every meal for the unit. “Being in logistics during wartime means ensuring three things: safety, nutrition, and confidentiality. A wrong timing for smoke could reveal our position to the enemy, and bombs would rain down like thunder. Sometimes, a hot meal was a luxury, but those wartime meals fueled our determination and fighting spirit,” Đôi explained.

He shared that in his hamlet, eight people wrote enlistment letters together, but only four came back. His voice grew somber as he recalled, “Those four remained forever in the Southern battlefields.”

Đôi was born and raised in Phúc Sơn, Văn Chấn district (Yên Bái province). When the country reunified, he was deployed to Điện Biên and has worked in various positions, deeply connected to the historical land of Mường Phăng.

Currently, there are 314 people in the province who directly contributed to the great victory of Spring 1975. Each of them is a living flame of vivid memory from that glorious era. The war may have passed, but the value of peace, sacrifice, and patriotism endures. The younger generation, born in peace, must understand, appreciate, and continue the proud traditions of the nation. “The South called, we answered” is not just a call from a historical era, but a symbol of the ideal of being ready to sacrifice for the country, for the people.

Tú Trinh
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • '“Racing against time” on many projects in Điện Biên

    “Racing against time” on many projects in Điện Biên

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - With less than two months remaining before the district-level administrative units officially cease operations according to the administrative reorganization plan, this period is crucial for local authorities to complete unfinished tasks, accelerate project progress, and resolve any remaining issues, particularly in the area of basic construction investment.
  • 'Markets in Điện Biên struggle despite large investment

    Markets in Điện Biên struggle despite large investment

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP -  As a mountainous border province, Điện Biên relies heavily on its local market system, especially in rural areas, as vital hubs for trade and daily goods exchange. These markets play a crucial role in stimulating production, expanding services, and supporting the livelihoods of local communities. However, the current management, utilization, and development of rural markets still face numerous challenges that need to be addressed.
  • 'Điện Biên - A destination for compassionate hearts

    Điện Biên - A destination for compassionate hearts

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - As a borderland at the far west of the country, historically known for its monumental victories, Điện Biên still faces numerous challenges today. With its complex mountainous terrain, many remote and isolated communes and villages lack essential infrastructure, education facilities, and economic development opportunities. With a spirit of sharing, Điện Biên has become a destination for charitable journeys and compassionate hearts.
  • 'Điện Biên’s education sector towards Party congresses

    Điện Biên’s education sector towards Party congresses

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - In preparation for the Party Congresses at all levels for the 2025-2030 term, the education and training sector of Điện Biên province is actively implementing many vibrant and practical emulation movements. These activities not only create a joyful atmosphere across the sector but also contribute to improving educational quality and building a positive, disciplined, and friendly learning environment.
  • 'The home of special children

    The home of special children

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - For many years, the Điện Biên provincial Center for Inclusive Education Development has become a second home for special children, those born with physical or intellectual disabilities. With unconditional love, dedication, and patience, the teachers at the center have helped many children with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, and other conditions receive timely intervention, opening the door to community integration alongside their peers.
  • 'Efforts to ease inventory pressure

    Efforts to ease inventory pressure

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Industrial production plays a crucial role in driving GDP growth in Điện Biên province. While the province’s industrial production index has shown consistent positive growth in recent years, the sector still faces several challenges. Chief among them is the persistently high inventory levels, which are exerting pressure on production and consumption activities.
  • 'A Pa Chải Flagpole - A highlight for tourism in Mường Nhé

    A Pa Chải Flagpole - A highlight for tourism in Mường Nhé

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - On the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory (May 7, 1954-2025), Điện Biên province solemnly held a flag raising ceremony and inaugurated the A Pa Chải Flagpole (Sín Thầu commune, Mường Nhé district). This meaningful structure is not only of great historical significance but also a sacred symbol affirming Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty at the border junction of Vietnam, Laos, and China.
  • 'Mường Lay’s stilt houses help develop tourism

    Mường Lay’s stilt houses help develop tourism

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - The stilt house, a distinctive architectural feature of the Thái ethnic minority group in Vietnam’s northwest, stands as a cultural emblem deeply rooted in tradition. Recently, Mường Lay town, Điện Biên province was honored with a national record: “The town with the highest density of traditional stilt houses of the white Thái ethnic group in Vietnam”. For generations, the white Thái community in Mường Lay has preserved these wooden stilt houses not only as homes but as sacred cultural symbols.
  • 'Disease prevention in seasonal transition period

    Disease prevention in seasonal transition period

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - During seasonal transitions, especially the onset of summer with rising temperatures and humid, rainy conditions, the environment becomes favorable for viruses and bacteria to thrive. In response to the heightened risk of infectious disease outbreaks, authorities in Điện Biên province have proactively implemented multiple disease prevention measures at the grassroots level to prevent potential outbreaks and community transmission.
  • 'Clean water reaches mountainous areas of Nậm Pồ

    Clean water reaches mountainous areas of Nậm Pồ

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In the remote areas of Nậm Pồ mountainous district in Điện Biên province, rugged terrain and scattered settlements make access to clean water a persistent challenge. But thanks to continued investment from the Party and State, a growing network of well-built, centralized water systems is now helping local communities access safe, hygienic water for daily use.
  • 'Spreading the movement of voluntarily leaving poverty list

    Spreading the movement of voluntarily leaving poverty list

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In recent years, a growing movement has been spreading throughout the upland villages of Điện Biên province: poor and near-poor households voluntarily writing petitions to be removed from the poverty list. More and more people are choosing to rise out of poverty through their own efforts, no longer relying passively on State support policies.