- Southern Vietnam Women's Museum

HEROINE OF THE PEOPLE'S ARMED FORCES NGUYEN THI NHO – AN OUTSTANDING FEMALE INTELLIGENCE OFFICER IN CA MAU During the resistance war against the US to save the country, Ca Mau, the southernmost region of the Fatherland, was also the site of many fierce struggles. At the same time, it is also the homeland of [...]

HEROINE OF THE PEOPLE'S ARMED FORCES NGUYEN THI NHO – OUTSTANDING FEMALE INTELLIGENCE OFFICER In Ca Mau

During the resistance war against the US to save the nation, Ca Mau, the southernmost region of the country, was also the site of many fierce battles. At the same time, it is also the homeland of many courageous fighters. Among them, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Thi Nho is a prime example of the local military intelligence force, who made many silent but exceptionally important contributions to the revolution.

Nguyen Thi Nho (also known as Sau Anh), born in 1944, is from Tran Hoi commune (now Tran Van Thoi commune, Ca Mau province). She enlisted in the army on December 11, 1963, and joined the Vietnam Labor Party in 1965.

Born into a poor family, she was a hardworking young woman. Her husband was fighting on a distant battlefield, so she had to manage the household, work hard to support the family, and participate in local activities. In 1963, her hometown was pacified by the enemy, who established a military zone and arrested, shot, and killed people, causing immense suffering and grief. Six of her relatives were captured, beaten, and imprisoned. Transforming her personal pain into revolutionary strength, she volunteered to join the fight.

In the Ca Mau Provincial Military Intelligence unit, she served as a secret liaison, primarily operating in the town, considered the enemy's nerve center and constantly under tight control by intelligence forces, police, and informant networks. This was an exceptionally dangerous area, where many revolutionary cadres and bases were exposed or forced to change their operational direction. Despite these circumstances, she persevered, staying close to the base, maintaining communication, and promptly transmitting information and documents to support the Provincial Military Command's command and control. Her work was closely linked to the protection of the people, the strict leadership of the organization, and above all, the courage and fortitude of a military intelligence officer.

From mid-1969 to 1973, in the context of the US intensifying the "Vietnamization of the war" strategy and gradually withdrawing forces, the fighting in the South continued fiercely, with increased pursuit, security control, and "pacification" campaigns in many places. In Ca Mau, the enemy frequently sent police to surround and observe our bases. She was observed by traitors, "three times she was captured by the enemy, the last time they took her to Ca Mau prison and detained her for more than 60 days"[1] and tortured her very brutally. She died and came back to life many times, her body was so severely damaged that one arm was paralyzed, but she did not utter a single word of confession or protect the base. Finally, the enemy had to release her. When she was released from prison, she suffered from paralysis in one arm but continued her work. A journey, a difficult and dangerous ordeal, was a test of her loyalty to the Party.

Besides her secret mission, she also worked to build a base within the enemy's ranks to gather intelligence. She planned to approach and befriend Captain Nam, the deputy head of the secret service, and obtained many secret enemy documents such as: troop numbers, conspiracies, and operational plans of the forward command post, which served the superiors' operational command in a timely manner. Not only did she complete her professional duties, but she also participated in several battles associated with her name, such as: "In January 1969, she commanded a legitimate reconnaissance team using a disguised motorboat to carry a 500-kilogram bomb to destroy the Ho Phong bridge"[2], disrupting enemy traffic and completing the mission assigned by her superiors; In 1970, she was assigned the task of attacking the Gia Rai bridge. This bridge had been attacked by us many times but did not collapse, so the enemy was very vigilant and guarded it strictly. After receiving the mission, she went to study the field six times, understanding the enemy's operational patterns and weaknesses. “On November 18, 1970, she and a legitimate scout used a motorboat to carry a 700 kg bomb with a timed fuse to attack the Gia Rai bridge”[3]. On the way, about 1,000 meters from the target, the enemy called the boat over to transport soldiers for a raid. The situation was extremely dangerous, and the enemy could easily detect it. She quickly thought of a way to deal with it by borrowing another boat to replace them. Thanks to that, she brought the bomb to the target to destroy the Gia Rai bridge, successfully completing the mission assigned by her superiors. In addition, she also coordinated with the reconnaissance team to sink 4 iron ships in the town.

During 12 years of combat service, she obtained "960 reports and documents from the enemy from Ca Mau town to the Provincial Military Intelligence Department, including 192 times when she was subjected to very dangerous enemy interrogations that seemed impossible to overcome, but thanks to her resourcefulness and calmness, she was able to protect the documents. In combat, she participated in sinking 4 enemy ships, destroying 2 iron bridges on the Ca Mau to Bac Lieu road, and successfully completed her mission"[4].

She not only performed her duties and fought well, but also maintained a virtuous lifestyle.   Diligent and humble, she was always wholeheartedly helpful to her comrades and humble towards her superiors. She served the people wholeheartedly, earning their love, affection, and support, both in times of peace and in times of danger. She was a capable homemaker, skilled in public affairs, always calm in the face of danger, loyal to the Party and the Fatherland, and devoted to the people.

For her outstanding achievements mentioned above, she received 6 commendations, 1 certificate of merit from the Provincial Military Command, and was twice elected as an outstanding soldier at the provincial level. On November 6, 1978, Comrade Nguyen Thi Nho was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the State. This was a well-deserved recognition for a female military intelligence officer who dedicated her youth, intellect, and courage to the cause of national liberation.

Nguyen Thi Nho, a woman described as "heroic, indomitable, loyal, and capable," wrote an epic of patriotism through her own life. Her name enriches the revolutionary struggle tradition of the army and people of Ca Mau in particular, and of Vietnamese women in general. Learning about, remembering, and introducing her is not only an act of gratitude towards a heroic individual, but also a way to preserve historical memory for present and future generations.

Ho Chi Minh City, March 23, 2026

                                                                Vo Cu

Department of Communications, Education, and International Relations

References:

1. Vietnam Women's Union (2020), Memories of Women in the Southwest Region , Vietnam Women's Publishing House.
2. Minh Hai Provincial Military Command (1987) , Minh Hai, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces , Thanh Nien Publishing House.

[1] According to the Military Command of Minh Hai province (1987), "Minh Hai Heroes of the People's Armed Forces" (p. 36)

[2] According to the Military Command of Minh Hai province (1987), "Minh Hai Heroes of the People's Armed Forces" (p. 37)

[3] According to the Military Command of Minh Hai province (1987), "Minh Hai Heroes of the People's Armed Forces" (p. 37)

[4] According to the Military Command of Minh Hai province (1987), "Minh Hai Heroes of the People's Armed Forces" (p. 37)

Source: https://baotangphunu.com/5354/