Mother's Spring
In a small house filled with the warm scent of incense amidst the early days of spring, evoking the spirit of Tet and family reunion, Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh – who sacrificed two of her sons for the Fatherland – sits quietly beside her children and grandchildren, smiling gently. For her, spring is not only a season of renewal, but also a season of memories deeply etched in her memory over the years, of love, and of profound gratitude that the Party, the State, and the people have for the silent sacrifices made throughout her life.
Content:Khanh Ly/Present:Hong Toai• February 8, 2026
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In a small house filled with the warm scent of incense amidst the early days of spring, evoking the spirit of Tet and family reunion, Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh – who sacrificed two of her sons for the Fatherland – sits quietly beside her children and grandchildren, smiling gently. For her, spring is not only a season of renewal, but also a season of memories deeply etched in her memory over the years, of love, and of profound gratitude that the Party, the State, and the people have for the silent sacrifices made throughout her life.
At the beginning of the new year, as the gentle spring sunshine bathed the streets, we visited the small home of Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh in Hong Vinh Hamlet, Truong Vinh Ward. The atmosphere was surprisingly quiet and warm. Her silvery hair, kind eyes, and gentle smile evoked the image of a hardworking, steadfast Vietnamese woman, "who knows how to sacrifice without saying much."
Over a steaming cup of green tea, Mrs. Oanh slowly recounted to us the greatest joy of the past year, a priceless spiritual gift. It was that autumn afternoon when General Secretary To Lam and the delegation from the Central Committee and Nghe An province visited her and her family at their private residence.
My mother vividly remembers the warm handshake, the kind inquiries about her health from the General Secretary; she remembers the respect that the Party leader showed to a simple mother in a small town. In a warm and intimate atmosphere, the General Secretary expressed his gratitude for the sacrifices my mother and her family had made, wishing her a happy and healthy life, and hoping she would continue to be a source of spiritual support for her children and grandchildren.
The commemorative photograph taken with the delegation from the Central Government and Nghe An province, including General Secretary To Lam; General Phan Van Giang - Minister of National Defense… is cherished by the mother's children and grandchildren and placed in the most prominent place in the house.
For Oanh's mother and family, it is not only an honor but also a vivid testament to the nation's never-ending stream of gratitude throughout history.
This spring, Heroic Vietnamese Mother Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh turned 93. Her memory is no longer clear, but from fragments of her recollections and the sharing of her relatives, the portrait of a mother rich in self-sacrifice is gradually becoming clearer.
Born into a family with a revolutionary tradition in Hung Tien commune (formerly Hung Nguyen), now Lam Thanh commune (Nghe An province), my mother's youth was spent working tirelessly at the Thong Nhat Garment Cooperative. At nineteen, she married Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoan, a kind, upright, and dedicated math teacher in the old Vinh city. Eight children (5 sons, 3 daughters) were born one after another amidst many difficulties and shortages.
When the Southwest border war broke out, responding to the call of the Fatherland, Nguyen Ngoc Ha (born in 1958 - the third son of Mrs. Oanh) enlisted in 1978, despite having already received his acceptance letter to the Mathematics department at Vinh Pedagogical University (now Vinh University), becoming a reconnaissance soldier. Not long after, his younger brother, Nguyen Ngoc Hai (born in 1960), also volunteered, becoming a special forces soldier. Having seen her sons off twice, Mrs. Oanh waited for their return, hoping for a reunion in the spring. But that spring ended prematurely in their twenties...
In February 1979, martyr Nguyen Ngoc Ha sacrificed his life in Cambodia. Two years later, on October 20, 1981, martyr Nguyen Ngoc Hai fell while performing a noble international duty, leaving an irreplaceable void in his mother's heart. But deep down, she remains proud: "My sons lived, fought, and fulfilled the noble duty of a soldier, contributing to maintaining peace and friendship between the Vietnamese and Cambodian peoples."
Overcoming her loss, my mother rose again with extraordinary strength. She understood that she had to live strongly to be a support for her remaining children who were still in their formative years, and so that her husband could focus on his career as an educator.
At the Thong Nhat Garment Cooperative, Mrs. Oanh was renowned as a diligent and skillful member. Her contributions to the "quick cutting," "beautiful sewing," and "skilled mending" movements all bore her mark. Her needlework not only provided for her family but also contributed to increased productivity and the strong development of the cooperative.
Later, when the cooperative dissolved, my mother retired to take care of the family. Despite her advanced age, failing eyesight, and trembling hands, whenever she saw needles, thread, scissors, or fabric, she would unconsciously touch them – a natural reflex stemming from a lifetime of dedication. In the neighborhood, she was always respected for her simple, friendly, and compassionate way of life.
In 2014, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh was awarded the title of Heroic Vietnamese Mother by the President of Vietnam. This was a well-deserved recognition for the silent sacrifices and unwavering resilience of a mother who "teared silently twice."
In Mrs. Oanh, one sees no self-pity or boasting. Only the serenity of a woman accustomed to sacrifice, accustomed to hiding her pain deep within her heart to be a pillar of support for her children and grandchildren.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh – the sixth daughter, currently living with her mother – recounts that when she was young, her mother, Oanh, was fair-skinned and kind-hearted, so everyone called her "Oanh Bong" (Oanh the Flower). Despite having many children and facing hardships, her parents always loved and cared for each other deeply. The evenings spent together watching movies and plays, listening to Nghe Tinh folk songs, remain beautiful memories for the family.
When Mr. Hoan passed away due to a serious illness, Mrs. Oanh went to live with Ms. Thanh's family. Besides the loving care of her children and grandchildren, over the years, she has always received the attention of the Party, the State, the local government, and organizations at all levels. In addition, she has been cared for by the Nghe An Newspaper and Radio and Television Station for many years.
During holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), officials, reporters, and staff of Nghe An Newspaper and Radio and Television regularly visited and encouraged my mother and her family. "These warm gestures are a great comfort, allowing our mother to continue living happily, healthily, and surrounded by her children and grandchildren," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh emotionally.
At her advanced age, Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh's greatest happiness is seeing her children have stable lives and peaceful families; and her 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren being well-behaved and filial.
My mother's life, like that of many other heroic Vietnamese mothers, was one of silently accepting loss so that the country could have peaceful springs...