People's foreign affairs officers are bridges that foster Vietnam - China friendship.

Ms. Vu Thuc Hue, former medical staff of Nam Khe Son Hospital (Guilin, Guangxi, China) said so when talking to reporters of Thoi Dai magazine about memories with people working in foreign affairs on the occasion of the 74th anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (November 17, 1950 - November 17, 2024).

She said: The dedication, professionalism and friendliness of the staff working in people's foreign affairs of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations left me with many deep impressions.

According to Ms. Vu Thuc Hue: In 1968, she began her journey of attachment to the Vietnamese people. At that time, Vietnam was in the period of a just resistance war to protect the country's territorial integrity. The Chinese government supported the Vietnamese people in many ways. One of the important projects was the construction of Nam Khe Son Hospital in Guilin, Guangxi (China) to care for wounded Vietnamese soldiers.

The hospital was established with the participation of 278 medical staff from major hospitals in Beijing, under the direction of Premier Zhou Enlai. Ms. Vu Thuc Hue, then 20 years old, was one of the young staff mobilized to participate.

Ms. Vu Thuc Hue and her husband took a souvenir photo in front of President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum during their visit to Vietnam in May 2024.

She said: "During 8 years, Nam Khe Son Hospital has treated 5,432 wounded Vietnamese soldiers, performed 2,576 surgeries and donated 779,220 ml of blood to wounded Vietnamese soldiers. I myself have voluntarily donated more than 1,000 ml.

We are not only doctors but also friends and relatives of the wounded and sick Vietnamese soldiers. They teach us Vietnamese, sing our country's songs and tell us stories from the battlefield. Through that, we understand and learn the resilience, courage, diligence and eagerness to learn of the Vietnamese people. The brotherly friendship between China and Vietnam has truly been forged with blood, sweat and youth.

On October 23, 2018, I had the opportunity to connect with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations when attending the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Nam Khe Son Hospital. Ms. Tran Thi Xuan Oanh, Head of the Asia - Africa Department (a unit under the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations) expressed her appreciation for our contributions.

On June 28, 2023, on the occasion of an official visit to China, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with Chinese friendship figures - friends who have helped Vietnam in the two resistance wars as well as in national construction. I was invited to participate and report directly on the activities of Nam Khe Son Hospital as well as the deep affection that doctors and nurses have for Vietnamese wounded soldiers. The Prime Minister expressed his emotions and asked us to coordinate with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations to spread these stories to the younger generation.

Ms. Vu Thuc Hue (3rd from right, front row) took a souvenir photo with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese friendship dignitaries on June 28, 2023.

In May 2024, my family and I were honored to be invited to attend the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory. The 10-day visit organized by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations brought me memorable experiences. I not only learned about the heroic history of the Vietnamese people but also felt the strong and prosperous development of the country today. The officers of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations accompanied and took good care of each member of the delegation and explained each historical story in detail.

Ms. Vu Thuc Hue (4th from left, front row) sang with the Chinese Friendship Delegation and Vietnamese officials at the welcoming reception of the Delegation of the 7th Military Region Command on May 13, 2024.

Another highlight was the meeting with representatives of Chinese friendship figures in Guangzhou on August 18, 2024. Here, I had the honor of meeting General Secretary and President To Lam. He listened to my sharing and shook my hand to say goodbye.

According to Ms. Vu Thuc Hue, "the team of people working in foreign affairs is the bridge connecting the Vietnam - China friendship. That connection comes from love for the country, love for the people and is the responsibility of the next generation in inheriting and promoting the long-standing traditional friendship of the two countries".