Those who "continue writing the story of peace"
They belong to different generations, embarking on their own paths, but they all meet at a common point: a desire to contribute to building their homeland. From the soldier who emerged from the flames of war with glorious achievements, to the farmer determined to prosper from the land, or the student with the dream of spreading knowledge in the highlands – all are contributing to "continuing to write the story of peace" in their own way: through creative labor, knowledge, kindness, faith, and responsibility to their homeland and country.
Khanh Ly - Hoai Thu /Present:Hong ToaiApril 23, 2026
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They belong to different generations, embarking on their own paths, but they all meet at a common point: a desire to contribute to building their homeland. From the soldiers who emerged from the flames of war with glorious achievements, to the farmers determined to prosper from their land, or the students dreaming of spreading knowledge in the highlands – all are contributing to "continuing to write the story of peace" in their own way through creative work, knowledge, kindness, faith, and responsibility towards their homeland and country.
During those historic days of April, we sought out a peaceful little alleyway, home to the simple house of veteran Pham Thanh Tam (born in 1950), in Nghi Tan 6 block, Cua Lo ward. At over seventy years old, the veteran, once awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, still retains the agility, the clear voice, and the genuine smile of a soldier.
Over a cup of fragrant herbal tea, he unfolded stories of the battlefield from years past like a slow-motion film, where memories and the present intertwined.
Born into a family of boatbuilders in a coastal village, his childhood was marked by loss when his mother passed away at the young age of nine. His father single-handedly raised his two sons at sea. At the age of nineteen or twenty, he and his brother successively enlisted in the army, answering the sacred call of the Fatherland.
His older brother, Pham Hong Minh (born in 1949), enlisted in 1967 and later died in the Cu Chi battlefield in 1972. He enlisted in 1969, was directly recruited into the special forces – one of the most elite branches of the military – and received intensive training in attacking airfield targets. After rigorous training, he became a reconnaissance soldier, specializing in deep penetration and surprise attacks.
The Quang Tri battlefield in 1971 was a test of the courage of the young soldiers of Battalion 35, Regiment 305, Special Forces Command.The years of fierce war forged a resourceful and courageous man. He participated in hundreds of battles, large and small, and faced the brink of death many times with his comrades. One of his most vivid memories is the battle at Ta Con airfield (Quang Tri) in 1971 – considered the enemy's "eye" on the Truong Son mountain range.
Amidst a dense defensive system of barbed wire fences, watchtowers, and sniffer dogs, the special forces soldiers secretly infiltrated deep into enemy territory, crossed rivers, planted timed mines and various explosives to attack key areas. Because they ensured secrecy and surprise, this battle destroyed many enemy vehicles and supplies, and inflicted heavy casualties.
The battles at Ai Tu base – one of the largest American "fortresses" in Quang Tri – are also unforgettable memories for the veteran who fought many times with the spirit of "Fighting to the death for the Fatherland." Three infiltrations, three times facing danger, from retreating to avoid traps and erasing tracks with branches, to overcoming German Shepherd dogs and pursuits, all demanded steely resolve.
However, with resourcefulness and courage, Pham Thanh Tam and his comrades destroyed dozens of bomb and ammunition depots, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. It was during that fierce period, on December 14, 1971, that he was admitted to the Party just before going into battle—a sacred milestone in the life of a soldier.
For his outstanding achievements, he was awarded 7 Military Merit Orders (First, Second, and Third Class); 6 Badges of Heroic Fighter Against the Americans, and most notably, the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces in 1973. However, when asked about it, he humbly said: "That is the result of the entire collective; I am merely the representative of that collective."
After the reunification of the country, he continued to serve in the army, rising to the rank of battalion officer, then regimental officer, participating in the defense of the northern border, serving as a military advisor in Cuba, and receiving a commendation from the Cuban government.
In 1993, he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Returning to civilian life, the former soldier maintained the qualities of a true soldier of Uncle Ho's army. He actively participated in local affairs, serving as a neighborhood leader and successfully initiating the "Civilized Alley" model.
He also frequently visits schools to tell historical stories and inspire the younger generation. In his conversations with the students, veteran Pham Thanh Tam not only recounts the war but also emphasizes the value of peace: "To achieve the peace we have today, so much blood and sacrifice have been made. The younger generation must cherish and continue to preserve it...", he shared.
Mr. Chu Van Duong, Secretary of the Nghi Tan 6 Block Party Branch, said: "Veteran Pham Thanh Tam is an exemplary Party member, a core 'nucleus' of the locality. With his prestige and exemplary conduct, he always encourages people to unite, develop the economy, and contribute to building their homeland."
His family had five children, two of whom followed in his footsteps and pursued military careers – a natural continuation of tradition."The fathers' generation first, the sons' generation after / They have become comrades, marching together in the same song"...(Tố Hữu)
The second story we want to share is the journey of a farmer from a rice-growing region who "dared to rise from failure." In the middle of the barren, arid land of Hamlet 2, Binh Minh Commune, stands a large black snail farm. The owner of this establishment is Mr. Tran Quy Bao (born in 1980) – jokingly called the "Snail King" by many. Few know that his success today was a journey full of hardships and many seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Born into a poor, large farming family, Tran Quy Bao became independent early on and struggled through various jobs to make a living. His desire for a better life led him to invest in Laos in 2018; however, successive failures left him penniless and burdened with over 1 billion VND in debt. At the same time, his family faced tragedy when his father passed away and his mother suffered a stroke. "I even thought about selling the house to pay off the debt," he recalled.
During the most difficult times, he returned to his hometown, built a temporary shelter on barren land, and started from scratch. Initially, he experimented with fish farming, which, while profitable, was insignificant, and he realized it wasn't a sustainable path.
Fate led Tran Quy Bao to black snail farming, and he decided to try this model despite having no prior experience. In the early days, he taught himself online, meticulously researching snail farming techniques. Initial success came, but failure quickly followed when the snails died in large numbers due to disease. But instead of giving up, Tran Quy Bao poured all his efforts into finding the cause.
After much deliberation, he created a model for raising snails under the canopy of taro plants – providing shade while forming a natural ecosystem that helps the snails thrive. This turning point completely changed the direction of the farm.
From just a few tons initially, production has gradually increased to tens of tons each year, reaching 70 tons in 2025 and projected to reach 100 tons in 2026. Currently, with over 100 ponds covering 10 hectares, his farm generates revenue of 5-7 billion VND per year.
Not stopping at raw production, he built a closed value chain: from breeding stock and commercial snails to processing and packaging. Each year, he supplies the market with approximately 4-5 tons of snail eggs and millions of high-quality breeding stock. Commercial snails alone are a stable source of income with a large consumer market in Hanoi, Hai Phong, and the southern provinces.
Not stopping there, Tran Quy Bao proactively contacted factories to research and produce a feed specifically for snails; at the same time, recognizing the potential for increasing product value, he implemented the production of frozen packaged snail meat (snail meat). In 2025, this segment alone generated revenue of over 400 million VND. "Currently, I am moving towards building a proper factory with labels and QR codes to introduce the product into supermarket and high-end restaurant systems," Tran Quy Bao shared.
What is most admirable about "Snail King" Tran Quy Bao is his desire to spread his expertise. He actively provides technical support and breeding stock to dozens of households, and collaborates with local authorities to transform entire areas of barren land into concentrated snail farming zones.
Thanks to this, the production area in Hamlet 2 has become a vibrant economic zone with 64 households developing the black snail farming model. "I want the people to work together, earn income together, and create change for our homeland," Bảo simply expressed.
His farm not only provides snail breeding stock and technical expertise, creating jobs for many local workers, but also forms a supporting ecosystem: He hires workers to harvest duckweed (food for the snails) or buys duckweed from surrounding households, up to 10 tons per day.
From a poor farmer, through willpower, determination, and a daring spirit, "Snail King" Tran Quy Bao has risen to become a model of successful production and business, receiving numerous Certificates of Merit and Commendations. In 2025, he was honored to be selected as a delegate to the Nghe An Provincial Emulation Congress and the 11th National Emulation Congress. However, as someone born and raised in his village, Tran Quy Bao believes that "the greatest reward is seeing my homeland and the lives of its people improve day by day."
As a member of the generation born after the peace treaty, Vi Thi Thao Le, a female student of the Thai ethnic group - Class 64 A1, Primary Education major, Faculty of Education (Vinh University), embodies a youthful, enthusiastic, confident, and aspirational spirit.
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Born in Mon Son commune, a remote and disadvantaged border region, Thao Le nurtured a dream from an early age to follow in her father's footsteps and become a teacher in her village. For Thao Le, it was not just a profession, but a mission. After graduating from the Provincial Ethnic Boarding High School, faced with many career choices, Thao Le decided to pursue Primary Education at Vinh University to realize her childhood dream.
In university, Thao Le quickly demonstrated the capabilities of an outstanding ethnic minority student with her serious attitude towards studying and self-improvement. Her excellent academic results and outstanding conduct scores are proof of the young woman's persistent efforts.
In addition, Thao Le also received a Certificate of Commendation from the Rector of Vinh University for her outstanding achievements in pedagogical training and active participation in scientific research activities to hone her thinking and professional skills.
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In the classroom, Vi Thi Thao Le is an exemplary student, and in the Youth Union and Student Association movements, she is a passionate "leader." Currently, this young woman holds the positions of Executive Committee Member of the Youth Union of the Teacher Training College, Executive Committee Member of the Student Association of Vinh University, and Secretary of the Youth Union Branch of class 64 A1. Thao Le participates in almost all core activities of the student movement such as: the "Summer Volunteer Youth Campaign," the "Supporting Students During Exams" program, the Drama Festival, the Student Singing Festival, etc.
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These contributions helped Thao Le be honored as an exemplary ethnic minority student in 2025, along with numerous Certificates of Merit for outstanding achievements in student union work and student movements. Notably, in 2026, Vi Thi Thao Le was honored to be one of 88 exemplary individuals recognized at the First Festival of Ethnic Minority Students from Universities and Colleges in Nghe An Province.
During the ceremony to report achievements to President Ho Chi Minh at Ho Chi Minh Square, Thao Le, on behalf of ethnic minority students, expressed their determination and aspirations: "To uphold the tradition of studiousness, unity, and creativity, and bring the knowledge learned from the classroom back to contribute to building a more prosperous and beautiful homeland."
In Thao Le's mind, contribution isn't about grand gestures, but begins with studying well, living responsibly, and constantly improving oneself. The Thai ethnic student shared that she has completed the Party membership training course and expressed her determination to strive to join the Party at university, proving herself worthy as a daughter of Mon Son – the place where the first Party branch of western Nghe An province was established.
What is most admirable is her consistent aspiration: to return to her hometown after graduation. "Even though I know the city offers many opportunities, I still want to stay in my village, where there are still many hardships. I want to help the children in the highlands have better educational opportunities," Thảo Lê shared.
Vi Thi Thao Le's journey of dedication and growth is a prime example for today's young generation: appreciating the past, living with ideals, knowledge, and ambition, never forgetting her roots, and ready to contribute to building the future.
