When history is made known by action.
The destination was the Vietnam Friendship Village, a place that cares for war veterans and children who are victims of Agent Orange/dioxin. For history students, this was not just a charitable activity, but a living historical space, where the past is present in the lives of each person bearing the scars of war and their enduring resilience.
Before the trip, the 10th grade History 2 class spent weeks preparing. What was valuable wasn't the material value, but the way the students expressed their gratitude. During short breaks or evenings after studying, the students gathered to knit woolen flowers, cut and assemble fabric flowers, patiently working with needles, thread, and colors. Each flower was a silent, simple, yet sincere wish.
Along with that, the preparation of Tet gifts, essential supplies, and fundraising for lucky money envelopes, with the close cooperation of parents and teachers, creates a sustainable foundation for a meaningful educational journey.
Ms. Phan Thi Huyen Dung, Head of the Parent Representative Board of the 10th Grade History 2 class, said that parents hoped the trip would go beyond simply giving gifts. "We let the children do as much as possible on their own. It is these small things that help them understand that gratitude requires patience and responsibility," she shared.
The Vietnam Friendship Village welcomed the group of students in a warm atmosphere. They brought with them small, beautiful decorations they had made themselves days in advance: woolen flowers, hanging garlands, and New Year's greeting cards. Without fuss, groups dispersed to the buildings, carefully hanging flowers, adjusting window frames, and cleaning the porches. The previously quiet space gradually took on a simple spring-like feel. Standing and carefully adjusting a flower branch, student Huyen Anh softly said, "We want our friends here to have a happier Tet holiday."
Following the decorations, the cultural exchange program took place in a simple and warm atmosphere. The innocent performances by the 10th grade History 2 students, along with the heartfelt performances by the children at the Vietnam Friendship Village, left a deep impression, as behind each song and movement lay the enduring strength and yearning for love. In addition, the 10th grade History 2 students donated essential supplies such as rice, eggs, cakes, milk, and lucky money envelopes to the village.
According to Ms. Pham Thi Tuyet Thanh, the duty officer at the Vietnam Friendship Village Medical Center, the most valuable thing lies not only in the material value, but in the presence and listening, which motivates the elderly and children to overcome their insecurities and become more confident in life.
Lessons in gratitude from "living witnesses"
If the beginning of the journey was about connecting through action, then the subsequent conversations were the most profound. The students toured the Traditional House of the Vietnam Friendship Village, quietly walking among black-and-white photographs, war relics, and stories told directly by the veterans living there.
Mr. Tran Minh Dinh, Head of the Veterans, Wounded Soldiers, and Victims of Agent Orange in Tuyen Quang province, shared more about his life today than his past. He spoke about his days in rehabilitation, about the simple joy of having young people visit, chat, and sit with him for a long time.
"What warms our hearts isn't being reminded of the war, but being treated as if we are living among the children," Uncle Dinh said.
Then there's the story of Mr. Dao Dan, a veteran combat engineer who protected Route 559 from 1968, which transported students back to the brutal years of war. Familiar place names from textbooks, such as Hill 700 and the treacherous "hairpin bends," come to life through the memories of someone who faced bombs and bullets to maintain the supply line for the southern battlefield.
"Many of our comrades still lie buried deep in the forests and high mountains. But seeing the children's concern for their roots, we understand that their sacrifices were not in vain," Uncle Dan said, his voice choked with emotion.
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent; many students bowed their heads, some quietly wiping away tears. Suddenly, a student ran up and hugged the old man tightly, choking back tears: "You look so much like my grandfather!" In that moment, history touched the young people with the most genuine emotions.
Participating in the exchange session, parent Nguyen Mai Huong said that this was a "special history lesson," because when listening directly from living witnesses, history is no longer just knowledge for exams, but becomes something the children must reflect on and feel with their hearts.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoan, homeroom teacher of 10th grade History class 2, shared: “Educating gratitude doesn't lie in lectures, but in experiences. When students connect with history through genuine emotion, they naturally develop a sense of responsibility towards life today. For me, that is the most valuable lesson in the profession of nurturing young minds.”
The "Touch 2026" journey has come to an end, but the lasting impact is not just a trip; more importantly, the students have touched history through listening, through emotion, and through the awareness of continuing the values that were sacrificed with the youth of previous generations.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/cham-vao-lich-su-bang-trai-tim-nguoi-tre-post943471.html
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