I knew that Mr. Bay Dung was elderly and had been seriously ill for a long time, and his passing was only a matter of days. Yet, upon hearing the sad news, I was still shocked and deeply moved. The image of my respected elder and the affection I felt for him during his lifetime came flooding back into my mind.

Anh Bay Dung was born on December 25, 1945, in Phong My commune, Giong Trom district, Ben Tre province (now Luong Hoa commune, Vinh Long province); his birth name was Nguyen Van Noi. He joined the army when he was just over 17 years old and his name was changed to Le Van Dung, meaning "brave like Dung".

And indeed, that's true. His military career was a golden page of achievements, from combat to the years of building and defending the Fatherland in peacetime. Having matured during the resistance war, through various combat phases, he successively held many important positions and responsibilities, such as: Battalion Political Commissar , Regiment Political Commissar, Division Commander, then Corps Commander, and finally Military Region Commander...

In 1997, he joined the Ministry of National Defense as Deputy Head of the General Political Department, then Chief of the General Staff, and Deputy Minister of National Defense. In 2001, Mr. Bay Dung returned to the General Political Department as Head... In 2011, he retired and decided to return the house allocated to him to live in his hometown with his family and neighbors - the place he had been attached to since childhood.

Brother Bay Dung is three years older than me. During the war against the US, he fought in the South, while I fought on the Tri Thien front. It wasn't until later, when he worked in the 4th Army Corps and I worked at the General Political Department, that we became close through our work and shared experiences. From December 1997 until his retirement, I had more opportunities to interact with him.

Author Nguyen Manh Dau and his colleagues (from left to right): Dang Vu Hiep, Ho Thi Bi, Le Van Dung in Ho Chi Minh City, February 1997.

Having known him for so many years and being his subordinate, my impression of General and Hero Le Van Dung is that he was a general who rose through the ranks from a soldier. He possessed a wealth of life experience and practical knowledge, having successively risen through the ranks in the fierce and arduous battles of the Southern battlefield.

His extensive practical experience, combined with the theoretical knowledge acquired from school, greatly assisted him in leadership and command. He was assigned to both the positions of Head of the General Political Department and Chief of the General Staff. He was exemplary in his ethics and style, and deeply loyal and compassionate to everyone. What stood out about him was his honest, simple lifestyle, always sincere, straightforward, approachable, and caring towards his subordinates. In leadership, he was the unifying force of the unit, upholding principles and behaving harmoniously with everyone. When working, he was serious and dedicated; when free, he was cheerful, generous, and witty, embodying the spirit of a true Southern Vietnamese man.

I remember, when you were Chief of the General Staff, I once invited you to my house on Hoang Quoc Viet Street (Hanoi) for my mother's memorial service. You asked who would be attending. I said my children's maternal grandfather, Mr. Dang Vu Hiep, and some colleagues from the Policy Department of the General Political Department. And you accepted the invitation. That day, everyone happily chatted about everyday life. During the intimate meal, you asked my children's maternal grandfather: "Do you think your son-in-law's memorial service for his mother was thoughtful?" He smiled and replied: "It was excellent!" Everyone laughed and felt the closeness, simplicity, and sincerity of a General. There seemed to be no distance between superior and subordinate.

I remember, on December 19, 2004, I was transferred from the Army Officer School 1 to the General Department of Engineering. After receiving the decision at the Ministry of National Defense Headquarters, I was summoned to the General Political Department by Comrade Bay Dung and given specific instructions. With sincerity and simplicity, he advised me on what I needed to do upon arriving at the General Department of Engineering. More than 20 years have passed, but I still remember vividly his words, which were both directives and heartfelt advice as I embarked on my new assignment...

My memories of Uncle Bay Dung are like that, everyday life, yet they last a long time. Now that he has passed away, everyone is saddened. I hope that Ms. Duyen and the extended family will soon overcome this grief!

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/tuong-linh-viet-nam/anh-bay-dung-gian-di-ma-chan-tinh-1021590