Pham Thi Dung - The flag bearer leading the demonstration on November 7, 1930 of Can Loc people

Ms. Pham Thi Dung (1910-1930), from Ke Lu village (now Tan Loc commune), Can Loc district, Ha Tinh province. She was an intelligent and gentle girl, born and raised in a family with a patriotic tradition. Her father and uncle participated in the Can Vuong movement against the French colonialists in her hometown. Her brother was a member of the Tan Viet Party and then became a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam right from its inception. Having a patriotic spirit, having come into contact with the progressive youth of that time such as Ho Ngoc Tang, Ho Than, Mai Huu, Ho Thuyet... who later became steadfast soldiers, excellent members of the Communist Party, Ms. Pham Thi Dung was enlightened about the revolution and had the consciousness to fight against foreign invaders.

Through the dedicated guidance of her comrades, she participated in a number of revolutionary activities such as transporting documents, leading the way, and donating money to help comrades in their work. When the Party cell in Ke Lu was established, she soon joined the ranks of communists, pioneering in revolutionary activities.

Relying on her family work, Ms. Pham Thi Dung went everywhere in Phu Luu commune to propagate revolutionary enlightenment to the masses, build revolutionary bases, especially mobilize women in Ha Can Loc area, prepare to participate in the revolutionary struggle when the Party launched. Hard work, hardship, going out at night and coming back at night and enduring many slanders from bad-hearted people, but she was not discouraged, wholeheartedly believed in the future of the revolutionary movement, believed in the strength of the masses. When she saw the results of the work, the struggle movement was on the rise, she was extremely excited. That was the public matter, but she still did not forget her personal feelings. She was engaged to a comrade in the Party cell, and promised to hold the wedding after the demonstration on November 7, 1930.

To practically commemorate the Russian October Revolution in 1930, the Can Loc District Party Committee decided to organize a large-scale demonstration of the people of Ha Can Loc marching to the district capital to fight. The preparation work was carried out carefully and urgently. Like many previous struggles, Ms. Pham Thi Dung was assigned the task of organizing and mobilizing the masses to participate in the demonstration. Feverish for several days without rest, she went through each hamlet, each group, meticulously checking every job: who held the flag, who held the banner, what the slogans were about, shouting the slogans, who set the rhythm, who beat the wooden fish, who beat the drums...

On the evening of November 7, 1930, the demonstration began. The people of Ha Can Loc area from the three communes of Ngoc My, Thanh Duong, Dinh Lu, Dai Lu, Yem Diem... were in neat formation, banners fluttering, drums and gongs were beating continuously, slogans were chanted. The demonstration group was so enthusiastic that it shook the heavens and the earth, passed through Lu market, crossed Truong Gio street, and gathered at Dinh Soc market. Here, Ms. Pham Thi Dung, a member of the Communist Party, on behalf of the leadership, stood up to talk to the masses, clearly stated the purpose and meaning of the demonstration, called on the people to fight against tyrannical oppression, encouraged the people's spirit, declared road discipline, and then shouted some slogans. The demonstration group was very excited and cheered as they marched towards Can Loc district. Ms. Pham Thi Dung held the red flag at the head of the group. More than 1,000 people marched forward like a broken dam, chanting slogans as they walked:

- Down with the murderous feudal imperialists.
- Against high taxes and heavy collection.
- Support the Soviet Union of workers and peasants.

When the protesters were near Nghen Bridge, the soldiers in blue uniforms in the fort opened fire in panic, some of them were hit. Dung remained calm and shouted: "Keep your ranks." The hammer and sickle flag in her hand was still fluttering in the wind, as if calling on the group to continue moving forward. A bullet exploded, Dung fell down, still holding the flagpole firmly in her hand and still shouting: "Sisters, keep calm and move forward."

Ms. Pham Thi Dung sacrificed her life at a very young age, at the age of 20, before she could fulfill her wedding plans. Ms. Pham Thi Dung's sacrifice was a great loss to the local Party Committee and the struggle movement of the people of Can Loc. But her example of bravery and perseverance will forever be a source of encouragement for the masses to join the struggle against the French colonialists and their lackeys, to take power back to the people 15 years later, to fulfill her noble and burning desire for the victory of the revolution.