The soldier returning from the Quang Da battlefield and his beautiful life journey in peacetime.
Throughout the 80-year history of National Day (September 2, 1945 – September 2, 2025), war memories and everyday stories of returning soldiers constantly remind us of the value of independence and freedom. Mr. Pham Trong Song – a soldier who fought in the Quang Da battlefield – is a vivid example.
Throughout the 80-year history of National Day (September 2, 1945 – September 2, 2025), war memories and everyday stories of returning soldiers constantly remind us of the value of independence and freedom. Mr. Pham Trong Song, a soldier who fought in the Quang Da battlefield, is a prime example of this.
Content and technical support: Diep Thanh
The "miracles" of wounded soldiers
The war veteran with a face marked by the scars of war and a small stature is Mr. Pham Trong Song (born in 1956), currently living with his wife, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Ly (born in 1957), in Vinh Loc ward, Nghe An province. Their love story began in a place seemingly filled only with pain and war memories: the Nghe An War Veterans' Rehabilitation Center.
Born into a family with two brothers, both Song and his older brother volunteered for military service as soon as they reached the age to do so. Just as he was preparing to go to the battlefield, he unexpectedly received an acceptance letter to university, but he insisted on joining the army, determined to follow in his brother's footsteps in defending the country. He was assigned to Company 11, Regiment 2, Division 324, fighting in the Quang Da battlefield. In 1974, during an attack on an enemy base, he was unfortunately hit by an M79 grenade, losing all his molars, one side of his nose, and one eye. The memory of that life-or-death moment remains etched in his mind as if it happened yesterday.
"A miracle," is how Mr. Song described waking up after days in a coma. He later learned that he was saved by a brave doctor who cleared his airway when both his nose and mouth were blocked. That action saved his life in a moment of seemingly hopeless despair.
Returning from the battlefield with a severely injured body, and living with persistent pain whenever the weather changes, Mr. Song never let the pain overwhelm his will to live. At the Nghe An War Invalids Rehabilitation Center – home to over 1,000 wounded and sick soldiers from many provinces and cities – he not only survived but also found love and happiness.
“Back then, Mr. Song was small and frail, weighing just over 30 kg, and he was severely injured with a disfigured face, so few people dared to look him in the eye when talking to him,” Mrs. Ly recalled. “But he was a cheerful, hardworking, and kind-hearted person, so everyone respected him. That’s why I felt sorry for him.”
Their love received enthusiastic support from their siblings and friends.Nursing CenterHowever, she faced strong opposition from her family. As a beautiful, healthy woman from a well-off family, she had many suitors. In her family's eyes, her love for and determination to marry a poor, frail war veteran like Mr. Song was unacceptable.
They worried their daughter would suffer, and that future generations might be affected by Agent Orange/dioxin. But overcoming all obstacles, Mrs. Ly decided to dedicate her life to that war veteran. Their wedding was held right at the center, with everyone's help. "Friends contributed rations of rice, meat, and cigarettes to exchange for noodles, chicken, and tea for the wedding. Our honeymoon room was two single beds put together, and the rest was furniture shared by fellow soldiers. Who would have believed that a war veteran like me could get married? It's another miracle in my life," Mr. Song recounted emotionally.
Since they got married, Mrs. Ly has been inseparable from her husband during his frequent hospital trips. Whenever the weather changed, his old wounds would flare up, causing him to develop a high fever and requiring emergency hospitalization. He has undergone as many as 14 major and minor surgeries to reconstruct his jawbone, restore his face, and regain basic mobility. His arms and legs are covered in scars, the marks of the numerous skin grafts he received on his face.
As Tet (Vietnamese New Year) approached, instead of gathering around a family meal, the couple had to go to the hospital. The healthy wife was not only a source of emotional support but also the steadfast caregiver throughout his life. And then, three children were born one after another, the fruits of a sincere, simple, and enduring love.
A life worth living
Throughout his 50 years working at the Nghe An War Invalids Rehabilitation Center, Mr. Song was known not only for his beautiful love story with Mrs. Ly, but also as a dynamic war invalid with a knack for business, resourcefulness, and creativity, not only supporting his family but also helping those around him.
In the late 1970s, after the birth of his first son, with his meager pension, he realized he needed to work extra to support his wife and child. Despite being a war invalid, he still took on the job of carrying rice and coal for his unit. In his free time, he opened a bicycle repair kiosk along the road from Vinh to Cua Hoi. Not only did he work for himself, but he also taught bicycle repair to many young people in the area – all of whom later had stable lives and often visited him, gratefully considering him a mentor.
Seeing that many disabled veterans at the center were skilled but unemployed, he proactively connected with local associations and groups to bring in suitable production projects. Joining the Provincial Association of the Blind, he invested in machinery to produce toothpicks, creating jobs for the veterans. He also contacted schools to sell the products. Near the center, there was an handicraft workshop belonging to the Department of Industry and Trade, and Mr. Song asked for the disabled veterans to be in charge of the painting and drying stages. This helped them earn extra income, improving their lives and bringing them joy. From that income, he was able to provide for his three children's education and, at the same time, help many disabled veterans and their relatives find employment…
With his tireless efforts, he was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Prime Minister for his many achievements in labor, overcoming difficulties, conquering disability, and making positive contributions to the community. At nearly 70 years old, he continues that journey. No longer directly involved in production, he participates in the Center's Council of War Invalids and Disabled Veterans, providing support and advice, helping members resolve issues regarding benefits and policies, and encouraging those facing difficulties. In 2024, responding to the Prime Minister's call, Mr. Song decided to register.organ donationFor him, this was a way for a part of his body to continue living and helping others after he was gone.
“The wounds of war have left me constantly in pain; many nights I suffer from agonizing pain that keeps me awake, but what I endure is nothing compared to what my comrades suffered,” Mr. Song paused, his voice choked with emotion. “Every time I visit the old battlefields, see my former comrades, or light incense for them at the cemeteries, thinking about their sacrifices and losses, I can’t bear it. The pain of war is not only in their bodies and memories, but also leaves lasting effects on their children and grandchildren. That is the ultimate pain… I always believe that the life I have, the good fortune I encounter, are all given to me by my comrades. Therefore, I always remind myself to live a life worthy of them.”
