Untold story of Ha Tinh female militia participating in "national concert"

The 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) was solemnly and successfully held in Ho Chi Minh City. The program once again affirmed the significance and stature of the Great Victory of Spring 1975 in the history of building and defending the country of the Vietnamese people.

Unit leaders mobilize forces to participate in training to prepare for the parade to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification. *Photo: Archive.*

In that success, there were contributions from 5 male coast guard officers and especially 20 female militiamen from Ha Tinh belonging to the Northern Female Militia Bloc. The "beauties" of Ha Tinh put aside their busy family and children's work to spend more than 4 months practicing and making efforts for the success of the great national holiday.

Having just returned from Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Tran Thi Tuyet Thuong (born in 1995, Huong Khe district) is taking time to rest due to fatigue and lack of sleep. Although still tired, she expressed her honor and pride in being able to contribute a part of her efforts, along with the forces to complete the task well at the celebration.

Ms. Tran Thi Tuyet Thuong (4th from right) is proud to contribute her small part to the country's great holiday.

“When I learned that I would be participating in the parade, I was very happy and moved. Happy because I felt honored to know that I would be one of the comrades participating in the Northern Women's Militia Bloc, carrying out the mission on the important day of the country. Moved because I was able to do what many people dream of, to follow in the footsteps of my fathers and brothers to show my patriotism,” Ms. Thuong recalled.

Before leaving her hometown for Ho Chi Minh City to participate in the training, Ms. Tran Thi Tuyet Thuong had prepared very carefully in terms of spirit, family work and 2 small children to participate in this trip. She was cared for and encouraged in every way by her family, especially her husband, so that she could practice with peace of mind. Although the time was quite long, the "rear" was strong so Ms. Thuong was very confident in carrying out the task well.

Ms. Thuong shared: “During more than 4 months of training, due to different weather conditions in each region, we encountered many difficulties; some sisters even got sick because they could not adapt to the change in weather. Besides, the strict living environment and strict discipline also created many challenges in the process of adaptation and training."

Northern Women's Militia Bloc participates in the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day.

Despite the difficulties from the weather, the strict environment and the high training intensity, Ms. Thuong and her teammates never lost their spirit. The Ha Tinh militia in particular and the group in general always shared and helped each other, so they all overcame all difficulties to successfully complete their tasks.

Returning to her daily life with her two young children and husband after months of training and the historic ceremony, the emotions in Ms. Dao Thi Bich (born in 1998, Vu Quang district) are still intact. In the uniform of the Northern female militia, she has successfully completed her sacred mission, which is to participate in the great festival of the nation.

Ms. Bich was moved: "The moment I stepped onto the stage and saw the sea of people watching, my heart was filled with indescribable emotion. It was not only personal pride but also the feeling that I was carrying on my shoulders the traditions of my homeland, as well as the images of the mothers and sisters who sacrificed for the country to have what it has today."

However, the journey to the parade was not easy for the young mother. To have the same steps and decisive movements, she had to undergo a process of hard training, temporarily putting aside her duties as a mother and wife.

Ms. Bich (second from left) and her sisters in the Northern Women's Militia Block preserve beautiful memories.

“The moment I walked through the grandstand of honor, immersing myself in the majestic flow of the army, I felt like I was walking with history. The image of my grandmother, my mother, and the resilient Vietnamese women during the war appeared in my mind. I understood that standing there was not only an honor but also a deep gratitude for the heroic sacrifices of generations of fathers and brothers so that the country could have peace and unity,” Ms. Bich choked up.

That will be a beautiful memory, a valuable asset that will follow me throughout my life, a story I will tell my children, so that they understand the value of peace, independence and the responsibility of each Vietnamese person.

The feelings of pride and emotion are not only deeply engraved in the hearts of Ms. Thuong and Ms. Bich, but will forever remain intact in the hearts of the Ha Tinh militia women who participated in the parade. The "pink shadows" are the fresh flowers blending in with the heroic atmosphere of the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.