Centenarians at the seaport
In the endless flow of time, human health and life are finite, so those who live over 100 years have traditionally been considered long-lived. We had the opportunity to meet two elderly gentlemen in the coastal area of Nghi Loc district who surpassed the centenary mark, remaining quite lucid and remembering clearly the stages of their lives.
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Cong Kien• March 4, 2025
The first person we met was Mr. Tran Van Coi (born in 1913) in Trung Tien hamlet, Nghi Quang commune (Nghi Loc district). This year, 2025 (Year of the Snake), Mr. Coi will turn 112, an age very few people reach. When visitors arrived, Mr. Tran Dinh Phong (Mr. Coi's grandson) went to call his grandfather. Mr. Coi slowly sat up from his bed to chat. He said: "Last Tet, my grandchildren took me to the commune's cultural center to receive a birthday greeting certificate for my 112th birthday from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. Afterwards, I returned home and my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren organized a very joyful birthday celebration for me."
According to Mrs. Coi, her childhood was very difficult. Her father died early, and shortly after, her mother remarried. She had to work as a servant for a wealthy family in the village, living a lonely and desolate life, so people often called her "Coi." That name has stayed with her throughout her life, even to this day.
In his youth, Mr. Coi was mobilized to participate in the civilian labor force, transporting food and weapons to the Northwest battlefield to support our troops fighting the French, passing through the provinces of Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and Son La. He was also part of the civilian labor force supporting the Dien Bien Phu battlefield, carrying over 100 kg of rice across mountains and passes to Dien Bien Phu just before the campaign began. His memory still vividly recalls the image of our soldiers escorting groups of French prisoners of war along forest trails, and the joyful celebrations of the people of Dien Bien Phu after the victory.
Having completed his mission, Mr. Tran Van Coi returned to his hometown and married Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phuong, a woman from the same village. At that time, his family were farmers, working year-round in the fields and on the riverside land. They had eight children, four of whom joined the military and all returned safely. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phuong passed away 17 years ago, and four of their eight children have also died of old age. Mr. Tran Van Coi currently lives with his youngest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Vo Thi Binh (his youngest son has passed away), next to his grandson, Mr. Tran Dinh Phong. Despite his advanced age, he still uses a cane to move around the house, is self-sufficient in personal activities, and eats a balanced diet. He usually has instant noodles for breakfast, a bowl of rice with soft-cooked meat or fish for lunch and dinner, and a banana for a mid-morning snack.
Currently, our grandfather has 29 grandchildren, 73 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren living and working in various rural areas across the country. During the recent Lunar New Year, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren returned to Nghi Loc to celebrate his birthday. He was very happy and hopes to continue living healthily to witness his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up.”
Mr. Tran Dinh Phong
Leaving Nghi Quang commune, we continued to Trung Den hamlet, Khanh Hop commune (Nghi Loc district) to meet Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong (born in 1923). At the age of 102, Mr. Hong still moves around and lives at home, visits his neighbors by maneuvering his wheelchair, his hearing is still quite good enough to chat with people and watch television to keep up with current events.
I am a retired Army Colonel, always proud to have witnessed the glorious moments of our nation. These include participating in the Dien Bien Phu campaign and being present in Saigon after its liberation.
Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong
Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong recounted that, like many people in Khanh Hop, he helped his parents herd buffalo and cut grass when he was young; in his youth, he studied and worked as a carpenter. At the age of 22, Mr. Hong joined the army, beginning his journey fighting against foreign invaders, following in every campaign. During the resistance against the French, this soldier participated in major campaigns such as Hoa Binh, Tay Bac, and then advanced to liberate Dien Bien (May 1954).
Following the Geneva Accords, the Army sent its most優秀 officers and soldiers to study at Air Force schools in socialist countries. Mr. Hong was one of those selected to study in the Soviet Union, and then in China. In 1965, after completing his training, he returned just as the US escalated its bombing campaign against North Vietnam. Air Force officer Nguyen Manh Hong was assigned to Regiment 919 – the first Air Force Regiment of the Vietnam People's Army; later, he served in the 921st Fighter Regiment (371st Division), participating in service, navigation, operational planning, and commanding squadrons to defend the skies of North Vietnam.
In particular, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong always cherishes his memories with the Quyet Thang (Victory) squadron from nearly 50 years ago. When the Ho Chi Minh Campaign was about to begin, Mr. Hong and more than 60 members of the task force were sent to the South by the Air Defense - Air Force Command to carry out their mission. In early April 1975, after Da Nang was liberated, he and the members of the task force took over the airport and implemented a plan to capture enemy aircraft to use against the enemy.
Following orders from above, skilled technical officers from the Air Force and technical soldiers of the Republic of Vietnam presented themselves to coordinate the selection and repair of A-37 aircraft that were captured and still in relatively good condition. Afterwards, they proceeded to Phu Cat Airfield (Binh Dinh province) to urgently carry out preparations and training. Once preparations and training were complete, the A-37s and the Quyet Thang squadron, consisting of pilots Nguyen Thanh Trung, Tu De, Nguyen Van Luc, Hoang Mai Vuong, Tran Van On, and Han Van Quang, moved to Thanh Son Airfield (Ninh Thuan province) to carry out the mission of taking off and bombing Tan Son Nhat Airfield.
Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong was assigned by his superiors to stay at Phu Cat airport, ready to support his comrades at Thanh Son airport when ordered. “While our comrades were leaving, we at Phu Cat were incredibly anxious, watching every minute, every second. In the early evening of April 28th, upon receiving news from Thanh Son airport that five A-37s and the Quyet Thang squadron had landed safely a few minutes earlier, successfully completing their mission, we all rushed out and embraced each other. The joy was indescribable,” Mr. Hong recounted. Two days after the liberation of Saigon, following orders from his superiors, Mr. Hong was present at Tan Son Nhat airport to take over, organize, and process the war spoils.
After the liberation of South Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong continued working in the aviation industry, reaching the highest position of Deputy General Director of Northern Vietnam Aviation. After 40 years in the military, he retired in 1987 with the rank of Colonel. Returning to his hometown to enjoy time with his children and grandchildren, he remained actively involved in social activities, contributing his intellect to the development of his homeland.
Mr. Nguyen Manh Hong and his wife, Vu Thi Thuc (95 years old), have four children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. They currently live with their eldest son, Nguyen Quoc Huy, and his wife. The family, spanning four generations, lives together happily, filled with joy. When asked about the secret to their health and longevity, Mr. Hong replied: "The most important thing is a balanced diet, eating plenty of green vegetables, and exercising regularly!"
