Special things about the family of the police officer who was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces
Diep Thanh•August 15, 2025 10:00
Martyr Bui Huy Giap has gone down in history as a shining example of the courage and loyalty of a People's Public Security soldier. His patriotic spirit has been continued in the next generation, writing the proud story of a family that has devoted itself to the country.
The soldier with the alias Ba Lam
In mid-August, relatives of martyr Bui Huy Giap gathered together with emotion and pride whenmartyrsposthumously awarded the title Hero of the People's Armed Forces, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the traditionPeople's Public SecurityVietnam. The story of the brave soldier who endured so much pain and sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the nation is once again told…
Lieutenant Colonel Bui Quang Vinh (4th from left), son of martyr Bui Huy Giap, received the posthumous title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces for his beloved father. Photo: Family provided
In the fall of 1945, when the whole nation was seething with the spirit of the General Uprising, there was a young man from Nghe An who also carried within him revolutionary enthusiasm. His name was Bui Huy Giap. From the first days of participating in activities, he determined his life path to be closely linked to the cause of national liberation. During the resistance war against the French, the footsteps of that soldier were deeply imprinted on many lands, from the position of Secretary of the Party Committee of Van Kim commune to Deputy of the Security Department of Nghe An Police Department. Those were the years of his youthful enthusiasm, courage, and complete dedication to noble ideals.
Martyr Bui Huy Giap. Photo: Family provided
But the Fatherland had not yet fully enjoyed its independence, and the country was still divided. In 1965, when the call for aid for the South was raised, Bui Huy Giap, alias Ba Lam, without hesitation, put aside his personal feelings, said goodbye to his homeland and loved ones to rush into the fiery battlefield. In the heart of that soldier, love for the country was greater than anything. That trip was not only a mission, but also an iron-clad oath: to fight to unify the country, so that his children and future generations would no longer have to live in war.
In the old My Tho province (now Dong Thap province), the Deputy Head of the Ba Lam Provincial Security Department and his teammates bravely and intelligently overcame the enemy's fierce sweeps. In the heart of the enemy, he and his teammates quietly built a revolutionary base, sowing the seeds of hope for a victorious tomorrow. The 3 years of secret activities were 3 years he lived in hardship and danger, but the heart of that soldier was still full of iron faith.
Comrade Bui Huy Giap took a photo with his wife and children before going to the South to fight. Photo: Family provided
And then, that great moment came. In the early morning of the first day of Tet Mau Than 1968, when the apricot and peach blossoms had not yet bloomed, the General Offensive and Uprising began. Mr. Ba Lam and his two comrades were unfortunately discovered and surrounded by the enemy. Amidst the rain of bombs and bullets, he made a decisive decision: commanding his comrades to retreat to preserve their forces, while he fought alone and tenaciously. His gunshots echoed as an affirmation of the indomitable will of the communists. When the last bullets were gone, he promptly burned all the documents and destroyed the telephone to protect the secrets of the revolution to the end. Captured by the enemy, brutally tortured but not defeated, that soldier heroically sacrificed himself.
He passed away on the first day of the year, contributing to the eternal spring of the country.
Pride of 3 generations
Patriotism and pride in martyr Bui Huy Giap continue to be nurtured and promoted in the veins of later generations. His son and grandson are all excellent soldiers, following in his footsteps on the path of serving the Fatherland.
The son is Lieutenant Colonel Bui Quang Vinh - former Deputy Chief of Nam Dan District Police, Nghe An Province. Talking about his father, Lieutenant Colonel Bui Quang Vinh could not hide his emotions: “The day my father left, I was still in my mother's womb. When I was 3 years old, my father died. Without a father, my mother raised 5 siblings alone, including a disabled sister and a brother who suffered a spinal injury. The family's circumstances were extremely difficult. Through my mother's stories, I am very proud of my father and consider him an example to overcome difficult circumstances, train myself, strive, and mature. That is also the reason I chose the police force to devote myself to.”
Photos taken during the family's search for the remains of martyr Bui Huy Giap. Photo: Provided by the family
After many years of yearning to find his father's grave, Lieutenant Colonel Bui Quang Vinh learned that his father was assigned to support My Tho province (old), appointed as Deputy Head of the Provincial Security Department. In 2007, with the help of the old Tien Giang Provincial Police (now Dong Thap province) and witnesses, he found his father's grave and brought his remains back to be buried at the Martyrs' Cemetery in Vinh city, Nghe An province.
During his career, Senior Colonel Bui Quang Vinh had 3 times achieved outstanding achievements, was awarded the Medal of Outstanding Achievement by the President 3 times (in patrolling, controlling, handling violations and fighting against drug crimes); received 12 Certificates of Merit; attended the Conference of typical advanced models of the Ministry of Public Security many times; was promoted beyond military rank 2 times...
Lieutenant Colonel Bui Quang Vinh. Photo: NVCC
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Through the stories my mother told me, I was very proud of my father and considered him an example of overcoming difficult circumstances, self-training, striving, and maturing. That was also the reason I chose the police force to devote myself to.
Lieutenant Colonel Bui Quang Vinh
Next stepproud journeyOf his father's and grandfather's generation, young man Bui Trung Linh (born in 1995 - grandson of martyr Bui Huy Giap, son of Lieutenant Colonel Bui Quang Vinh) has quickly asserted himself with impressive personal achievements: National Excellent Student in History, First Prize in History of the province, monitor of the History class at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted, admitted to the Party at the age of 18; received a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the Ministry of Education and Training... Linh is also the second-place winner of Block C of the Police Academy and is currently studying for a doctorate in Russia.
Sharing his motivation in studying and training, Bui Trung Linh confided: Stories about history, about the revolution and patriotism of the previous generation, the sacrifice of my grandfather and the achievements of my father... have greatly impacted my thoughts and consciousness. That is the motivation for me to strive, set the goal of continuing the family tradition, joining the ranks of the police force, participating in protecting the security of the Fatherland.