The heart of the 108-year-old party member has stopped beating.

In 2019, the Secretary of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, Nguyen Dac Vinh, presented the 80-year Party membership badge to Mr. Phan To Duc. Photo: Tran Dinh Ha

Born in the year of the Fire Dragon, 1916, according to the lunar calendar, Mr. Phan To Duc turns 108 this Spring of the Water Rabbit. Despite having surpassed the age of one hundred, this steadfast communist fighter still vividly remembers the arduous stages of his struggle.

During his lifetime, he recounted that from the age of 14-15, he witnessed his elders in the village fighting against the feudal landlords, demanding the abolition of unjust taxes and the struggle for freedom and democracy. On September 1, 1930, despite his young age, he received an education and was literate, so he joined the 20,000 Thanh Chuong peasants who burned down the district office and helped the protesters understand the meaning of the slogans. Later, he witnessed the establishment of the Soviet government at Vo Liet communal house. He also witnessed the brutal acts of terror and revenge by the colonial-feudal regime.

Deeply resentful of the enemy, in 1935, upon reaching adulthood, he officially joined the revolution, and in 1939 was admitted to the Party. Shortly after, in 1940, he was elected Deputy Secretary of the Vo Liet General Committee – the most vibrant revolutionary movement area in Thanh Chuong district. A year later, he was arrested and imprisoned in Ban Me Thuot prison until the success of the August Revolution in 1945.

Mr. Phan To Duc (wearing a blue puffer jacket and woolen hat, standing in the middle) with former and current leaders of Thanh Chuong district at the rally commemorating the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Photo: Tran Dinh Ha

After the August Revolution, Mr. Phan To Duc Duc continued to participate in various movements and was appointed Deputy Secretary of the National Salvation Youth Association of Nghe An province. Two years later, because he knew Chinese characters, he was transferred to the Department of Culture to be in charge of museum work. In 1954, he was transferred to the Department of Education to be in charge of adult education and literacy programs until his retirement in 1972.

Returning to live in his hometown, he continued to participate in Front work and local activities, translated documents to create dossiers for historical sites, contributed many ideas to build strong Party branches and committees, and actively participated in the New Rural Development movement in the locality.

At 108 years old, her eyesight is still sharp. Every day she still watches television, listens to the radio, and reads the Party newspaper. Her revolutionary spirit and love for her homeland still shine brightly in her heart. She said: “Without the Party and President Ho Chi Minh’s leadership, there would be no revolutionary movement. Seeing the country at peace, developing strongly, and people’s lives improving, not only people like me but also generations of our descendants are proud and content. I vow to follow the Party for the rest of my life.”

He had two wives and seven children, including one son and six daughters. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are all grown up. Mr. Phan To Duc is very proud to have recently received Tet (Lunar New Year) gifts from the Provincial and District Party Committees. He was also visited and given gifts by the Chairman of the National Assembly, Vuong Dinh Hue… The Thanh Chuong District Party Committee and the Vo Liet Commune Party Committee are currently carrying out the procedures for the Provincial Party Committee to award him the 85-year Party Membership Badge. With mixed emotions of pride and emotion, Mr. Phan To Duc confided: “The great contributions and revolutionary traditions of Vo Liet Commune, Thanh Chuong District, and the province have always been a driving force for me and my descendants to overcome difficulties and be exemplary in our work and daily lives.”

Despite his unwavering strength and determination, due to old age and declining health after a severe illness, the revolutionary flame that always shone brightly in the heart of this veteran revolutionary cadre ceased to burn at 2:00 AM on February 17, 2023, leaving behind immeasurable sorrow for his comrades, colleagues, and family.

Mr. Phan Tố Đức and his wife, Mrs. Tôn Thị Loan, lived in Thanh Tiến village, Võ Liệt commune. Photo: Trần Đình Hà

Upon receiving the news, the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee and the Thanh Chuong District Party Committee visited and offered incense to commemorate the veteran revolutionary cadre, and expressed their condolences to the family.

Signing the condolence book to bid farewell to this exemplary veteran Party member, Comrade Nguyen Van Que - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Thanh Chuong District Party Committee - shared: “Thanh Chuong is a revolutionary land, so it has many revolutionary predecessors. Mr. Phan To Duc was the last veteran revolutionary cadre, a shining example of revolutionary ethics, a dedicated and exemplary Party member, and a very responsible citizen. This is a great loss for the District Party Committee and the local community.”