On a spring day, I reread my battlefield diary entries.

(Baonghean) - There was a soldier who had gone through two wars, whose greatest treasure from his military life was six volumes of battlefield diaries, including pages recording his emotions during Tet (Lunar New Year). Every time Tet comes around, he turns the pages of those old entries with a sense of wistfulness and longing...

In his old house, Mr. Dang Duy Huynh in Hamlet 9, Phuc Son Commune (Anh Son District) is living with his "realm of memories" and his war diaries. He shared: "Throughout my 12 years in the military, I went through fierce battles and faced death many times, but I was determined to keep these diaries. They are the most valuable possessions I have upon returning home."

Mr. Dang Duy Huynh carefully keeps his battlefield diary in an iron box. In his free time, or during the Lunar New Year, he flips through the pages to relive his memories. Photo: Cong Kien

Going back in time, nearly 47 years ago, Dang Duy Huynh (born in 1946) was a third-year student at Hanoi Medical University. At a time when the war against the US was raging fiercely, and the battlefield needed medical personnel to care for and treat wounded soldiers, Mr. Huynh and 99 of his classmates were mobilized to serve.

Besides uniforms, weapons, medicine, and other necessities, the baggage carried into the battlefield also included a pad of tracing paper and a few ballpoint pens. Young soldiers, fresh out of university, were often romantic; they habitually recorded everyday events and expressed their thoughts and feelings. Then, after the war, many valuable diaries remained, helping future generations better understand the soldiers who fought against the Americans.

Along with his diary, Mr. Dang Duy Huynh also keeps many mementos from his time as a soldier, such as ammunition boxes, medicine boxes, canteens, daggers, and his conscription order. Photo: Cong Kien

More fortunate than his fallen comrades, Mr. Dang Duy Huynh was only wounded and returned to his hometown to reunite with his family, bringing with him six volumes of diaries, containing records of the war, work, daily life, and thoughts during the five years (1971-1975). There are many pages recording fierce battles, such as: “At 4:30, B52s hit the vehicle depot, but the vehicles were only crushed by trees. While resting at lunchtime, I suddenly jumped out of my hammock and made my way to the bunker entrance, but the first series of bombs had already exploded. At 5 pm, the whole group crossed the Saigon River...”

For soldiers on the battlefield, the greatest desire is to celebrate a joyful and reunited Tet holiday: “January 28, 1973: The ceasefire has arrived, after so many years of arduous struggle, sacrifice, and fierce fighting. The ceasefire began at 7 a.m. today according to the Agreement. Some areas around still have loud artillery fire; B52 bombing has occurred in the past few days, but less frequently. All the hopes and expectations of the nation have finally come true today. The atmosphere of the ceasefire seems so pleasant. My family is probably preparing to celebrate a Tet holiday without the sound of gunfire, something we couldn't have for so many years…”

The six volumes of battlefield diaries were numbered sequentially by Mr. Dang Duy Huynh. Photo: Cong Kien

And here are the thoughts of Dang Duy Huynh on the first day of Tet Quy Suu (1973): “Celebrating Tet in the South, where the bombing has just stopped. Visitors are bustling all day. Spring has come again, and with each passing spring, life feels increasingly lacking something intimate, especially the affection of family. As springs pass by, the love between husband and wife grows distant; with each spring, I gain another wrinkle, and my youth slips away…”

Celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Rabbit (1975) amidst the battlefield, on New Year's Eve, he expressed his feelings: “The 30th of Tet (February 10, 1975). 9 PM... Time keeps flowing, my fifth Tet on the battlefield. Why isn't my heart filled with excitement as spring arrives? Is it because I'm celebrating the New Year far from my unit? Perhaps so!... At this hour, my parents are probably gathered around the fireplace, missing their son a lot. New Year's Eve is almost here. This Tet, without their son, my parents will have another worry, a sadder heart, and the house will feel empty, like a corner of a small ditch is missing...”

The author collectively titled the series of diaries "Going on Campaign". Photo: Cong Kien

And this is the sentiment of Mr. Huynh at the sacred moment of New Year's Eve: "The Year of the Rabbit, New Year's Eve, 0 o'clock... New Year's Eve arrives in all corners of the country/ Spring has come, oh, life is overflowing/ The Year of the Rabbit leads us into battle/ In this struggle, victory will be ours." Military medic Dang Duy Huynh was fortunate to be present on the day of the Great Victory of Spring 1975, witnessing the moment of victory and the overwhelming happiness.

This page from Mr. Dang Duy Huynh's diary records his feelings during the Tet holiday of the Year of the Rabbit (1975). Photo: Cong Kien

He recorded that moment: “April 30th, at 5:30 PM. What excitement and joy! At 5 PM, the radio announced that Saigon had been completely liberated. I had thought it would take several weeks to capture Saigon, and that would be considered quick. The atmosphere today was completely different; everyone, both staff and wounded soldiers, was exhilarated, the atmosphere of victory was palpable. It's a pity there wasn't a camera to record everyone's feelings and the atmosphere today. How joyful and exhilarating it was...”

By preserving those diaries, military medic Dang Duy Huynh wanted to record the vibrant and heroic years of his youth. Whenever his children and grandchildren gather and his comrades visit, he flips through the diaries, each page a story...

Cong Kien