An epic tale of the indomitable spirit of the soldiers of Uncle Ho's army.
The war is long over, but for veterans like Mr. Pham Trong Song (born in 1956) and Mr. Hoang Duc Thuong (born in 1950), the battles are far from over. On the occasion of July 27th, Nghe An Newspaper, Radio, and Television had a moving conversation with these two "shining examples" who emerged from the battlefields of Quang Da and Cambodia. Their stories are not only memories of sacrifice, but also epic tales of the indomitable spirit of "disabled but not defeated," and of the conscience and responsibility of soldiers of the Ho Chi Minh Army.
Diep Thanh(Perform)/Present:Hong ToaiJuly 26, 2026
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The war is long over, but for veterans like Mr. Pham Trong Song (born in 1956) and Mr. Hoang Duc Thuong (born in 1950), the battles are far from over. On the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27th), Nghe An Newspaper, Radio, and Television had a moving conversation with these two "shining examples" who emerged from the battlefields of Quang Da and Cambodia. Their stories are not only memories of sacrifice, but also epic tales of the indomitable spirit of "disabled but not defeated," and of the conscience and responsibility of soldiers of the Ho Chi Minh Army.
Veteran Hoang Duc Thuong:For me, the war never truly ended. I am a 4/4 war invalid, and even now I still have shrapnel in my hands that hasn't been completely removed. But that physical pain is perhaps nothing compared to the memories I've experienced.
Over 40 years of military service, from the battlefields of Southern Vietnam to those in Cambodia, the days of marching without salt, sharing handfuls of moldy rice in trenches, or the "letters of determination" written in blood to be allowed into the battlefield... all remain as vivid as if it happened yesterday.
But there's something even more painful: Agent Orange. I am a victim, and that pain has left its mark on my children's lives. My first grandchild died in infancy, my second was born with a cleft palate, and my third had to undergo a complete blood transfusion. It's not just my children; even now, every time my children have a baby, I live with a constant feeling of anxiety, fear, and immense mental pressure…
CCB Pham Trong Song:Listening to Mr. Thuong's story, I felt a deep sense of empathy. For me, war has etched itself directly onto my face and body. In 1974, on the Quang Da battlefield, an M79 grenade took away all my teeth, one side of my nose, and one eye. A brave medic opened my airway in that life-or-death moment and gave me a chance to live. I have undergone a total of 14 major and minor surgeries to reconstruct my jawbone and face, with scars all over my arms and legs from skin grafts. Whenever the weather changes, the pain still torments me, preventing me from eating and sleeping.
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What stays with me to this day is not just the physical wounds, but also the agonizing pain of witnessing my comrades suffer so much. And as Mr. Thuong said, the pain of war is not only felt on the bodies of the soldiers, but also lingers in their descendants because of Agent Orange – that is the most extreme pain that we still witness every day.
Veteran Hoang Duc Thuong:To be honest, after more than 40 years in the military, when I officially retired in 2008, I had considered completely resting. However, when I returned to live close to my hometown of Cua Hoi and witnessed the difficult and arduous lives of my neighbors, I felt a pang of guilt. I asked myself, while I still have my health and intellect, should I only live for myself?
There were three main motivations that drove me. Firstly, a sense of responsibility to the people. When the villagers and neighborhood trusted me enough to elect me as Party Secretary and then Head of the Village Craft Management Board, I considered it a duty that a soldier could not refuse. Secondly, I wanted to be a "shining example" for my children and grandchildren to understand and follow the spirit of a Party member. And thirdly, I had an extremely important support system: the unwavering support of my wife. She built a harmonious home and created the conditions for me to focus on social work.
CCB Pham Trong Song:The deeper reason is my debt of gratitude to my comrades. I always tell myself that my life today, and the warm, happy family I have, are thanks to the blood and sacrifices of countless brothers who fell in battle. Compared to my comrades who remain on the battlefield, or my friends, I feel incredibly fortunate.
It is because of this mindset of "repaying my comrades" that I feel I need to strive harder and create more value for those around me. I am not afraid to do manual labor, I am not afraid to go to different places to connect and create jobs for wounded soldiers, I am not afraid to persuade and mobilize support, and I am always ready to participate in charitable programs and take on tasks within my capabilities at the Nghệ An Provincial Rehabilitation Center for Wounded Soldiers...
CCB Pham Trong Song:For me, the biggest challenge was the psychological struggle in the first few days after returning from the battlefield. I was very young then, but looking in the mirror and seeing my disfigured face, I fell into a state of dissatisfaction and depression. I thought no one would accept someone like me, and there were times when I even gave up. Overcoming that self-consciousness and reintegrating into society was a more arduous journey than any surgery. A "miracle" came when I met my wife, Nguyen Thi Ly. Her love and the birth of our three children completely changed my way of thinking.
After starting a family, the next challenge was making a living. With a meager allowance, I had to juggle multiple jobs to support my wife and three children's education. Coping with 14 reconstructive facial surgeries while also worrying about food, clothing, and shelter was an immense pressure.
And now, the challenge I face is a "race against time." At 80 years old, seeing my colleagues around me passing away one by one – seven comrades at the center have already died since last year – I feel I need to hurry. The challenge is to do as much as possible, to help as many brothers and sisters and children affected by Agent Orange as I can, while I still can.
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Veteran Hoang Duc Thuong:My challenges lie largely in the areas of community management and development. When serving as Party branch secretary or head of the village craft management board, the most difficult thing isn't producing delicious fish sauce, but rather harmonizing the mindsets of different generations, especially between the elderly and the young within the neighborhood.
In the marketplace, the biggest challenge is maintaining business ethics in the face of the allure of money. In the past, we went into battle with a common goal, but now life is more complex and competitive. I always have to struggle to keep the craft village operating according to ethical standards and with a clear conscience. Furthermore, in leadership, addressing issues of unity and honesty, especially regarding finances, is also a difficult problem that I, as the leader, constantly have to grapple with to live up to the trust of the people.
PV:Looking back on the past several decades of peace, what makes you feel most proud?
Veteran Hoang Duc Thuong:For me, the greatest pride lies not in the medals, but in the absolute trust of the people. My viewpoint is very clear: whatever we do, especially in production and business, we must use conscience and ethics as the standard. From just 40 households initially, the craft village has now grown to 250 members, creating stable income for people in the coastal area. Seeing my homeland change, houses built close together, and people's lives improving thanks to their traditional craft, I feel that my efforts have truly been meaningful.
Furthermore, I am proud that my family has been recognized as an exemplary cultural family for the past 20 years. I have lived up to the spirit of "a shining example of a Party member," setting an example for my children and grandchildren to follow. That is the most enduring value I have built after the war.
CCB Pham Trong Song:Listening to Mr. Thuong's story, I also felt a sense of shared pride, but from the perspective of a severely wounded veteran, I am most proud of the "miracles" that I and my family have created. From someone who once weighed only 30 kg, I have built a happy home and raised three children to be successful adults.
Monday,I am proud to have "paid my respects to my comrades" in my own way. I have connected with and created jobs for wounded soldiers, helping them earn extra income, and assisted them in resolving their entitlements so they could receive the recognition they deserve. And finally, I have registered to donate my organs. I want that even after I am gone, a part of my body can continue to live and help others. That is how I prove that a soldier of Uncle Ho, no matter the circumstances, is always ready to sacrifice for the community. For me, there is no greater value than sharing and compensating for those less fortunate than myself.
PV:Your generation dedicated their youth and shed their blood to protect the Fatherland. Now, looking at the younger generation, what do you hope for them? What values do you hope they will carry on from your generation?
Veteran Hoang Duc Thuong:The first thing I hope for in the younger generation is that they possess conscience and morality. Having achieved peace, independence, and a prosperous life today, you must cherish the "golden generation" of your ancestors and always remember the contributions of those who came before you. The principle of "drinking water and remembering the source" is the most fundamental foundation that I hope you will never forget.
Secondly, the young people need to study and train diligently. Our generation fought with guns and bullets, while today's young generation fights with knowledge to move the country forward. I am very happy to see that the young cadres I trained in the past are now continuing the work very well, living exemplary lives and full of enthusiasm.
CCB Pham Trong Song:I have taught vocational skills to many young people and I am very happy to see that they now have stable lives, are grateful, and have matured. What I hope for most is that they will try their best in everything they do. Live a useful life, with ideals and full of responsibility. The task of saving and defending the country has been completed by our ancestors. The rest of history belongs to the younger generation. The success and efforts of these young people are the most meaningful answer, making us soldiers feel that all the sacrifices, losses, and even the pain from injuries we bear are completely worthwhile.
