A reunion of loved ones...

Seventy years have passed, but the memories and nostalgia of the days spent living and studying in schools for Southern students in the North remain invaluable "spiritual assets" that Southern students cherish and value throughout their lives. And today, in the small home of teacher Le Ngoc Lap (Bui Thi Xuan Street, Ngoc Trao Ward, Thanh Hoa City), both teacher and students reunited with deep emotion.

1. Upon receiving news that Thanh Hoa province would be holding a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of welcoming compatriots, cadres, soldiers, and students from the South who relocated to the North, veteran Do Thanh Lap (originally from Hau Giang province, currently living in Ho Chi Minh City) was deeply moved. Without much thought, the veteran immediately packed a few simple personal belongings into his worn backpack, started his old motorbike (modified with two rear wheels and a small canopy), and set off for Thanh Hoa.

The veteran, small but sturdy in stature, with a determined gaze, undertook a nine-day journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Thanh Hoa province. During that time, he visited several landmarks along his route to the North. Aside from sleeping and stopping for meals to replenish his energy, he drove continuously. When asked, "What motivated you to undertake this trip?", Mr. Lap laughed heartily and replied, "Nothing greater than love and gratitude for the land and people of Thanh Hoa, and a promise to meet my classmates from the school for students from the South, where I studied, at the homeroom of our former teacher."

Veteran Do Thanh Lap (from Hau Giang province, currently living in Ho Chi Minh City) undertook a 9-day journey from the South to Thanh Hoa on his old motorbike.

Wearing a green military uniform with a red Vietnam Veterans badge on his chest, Mr. Lap enthusiastically recounted his return to Thanh Hoa: “This isn’t the first time I’ve been back to Thanh Hoa. Before this, I’ve returned several times, a place that holds important milestones and preserves so many special, unforgettable memories in my life. In particular, Thanh Hoa is a place where I will always cherish the care and sharing of its people towards the compatriots, cadres, soldiers, and students from the South who relocated to the North 70 years ago, including me, a 9-year-old child, and my older sister, who was 11 at the time. And I deeply appreciate and am grateful to Teacher Le Ngoc Lap for his dedicated and caring attention to me, teaching me like his own child when I was studying at the No. 1 Dong Trieu School for Southern Students (Quang Ninh).”

Veteran Do Thanh Lap (wearing a military uniform, sitting furthest to the left) reunites with teacher Le Ngoc Lap (in a pink shirt) and classmates from the No. 1 Southern Students' School in Dong Trieu (Quang Ninh).

On a crisp, cold early winter morning, the stories of the veteran and elderly musician warmed the atmosphere around the small tea table. He recalled the scene at Hoi port on the day the ship docked; the days living with a farming family in a district near Thanh Hoa town. “Oh, those were days of countless hardships and shortages, yet the people here still cared for us in every way. But when we offered to share our meals with the children, the women and mothers wouldn’t agree. They were afraid we wouldn’t have enough to eat, while their own people only had vegetables and porridge to get by each day,” Mr. Lap’s voice choked, his eyes welling up with tears. The students from the South who relocated to the North only stayed in Sam Son for a short time before dispersing to various locations throughout the North, spending their days studying and training in special schools.

Oh, those were incredibly difficult and challenging days, yet the people here still took care of us in every way. But when we offered to share our meals with the children, the women and mothers wouldn't agree...

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z1XzK4yh74[/embed]

The veteran's memory and endurance truly impressed us, the visitors following him. A motorbike with a license plate starting with 95, featuring a canopy and a fluttering red flag at the front, was driven by an almost 80-year-old veteran on a nine-day journey from South to North Vietnam to reunite with his teacher and classmates. Anyone who understood the story would be moved. These reunification journeys erased dividing lines and geographical distances, connecting hearts. After 70 years, Thanh Hoa province is honored and proud to witness these reunions of hearts beating as one, sharing the same faith and love.

A motorbike with a license plate starting with 95, featuring a canopy and a fluttering red flag at the front, was ridden by an almost 80-year-old veteran on a nine-day journey from South to North Vietnam, all to reunite with his teacher and classmates...

2. When Mr. Lap arrived, his friends had already gathered at the home of teacher Le Ngoc Lap. Teacher Lap smiled brightly, chatting with his students whom he hadn't seen in many years. From the crowd, a voice called out: "Our friend Do Thanh Lap has arrived!" Handshakes and greetings filled the small living room with laughter and conversation. Perhaps, because they always remembered and shared memories, teacher and students, though physically distant, remained close, their hearts connected without any formality or awkwardness.

"Life is fleeting," it seems. Just yesterday, these students from the South were gathering in the North, bewildered and naive like young birds leaving the warmth of their parents for the first time. Yet now, sitting beside Mr. Lap are heads streaked with gray. Those students he cared for, from their meals and sleep to their homework, have all grown into adults. These "red seeds" that he nurtured with all his heart and intellect have become diplomats, intellectuals, engineers, teachers, veterans, musicians... contributing their strength to building their homeland and country.

My students and I will always cherish the fond memories, the loyal and filial teacher-student relationship, and the principle of remembering our roots.

Class 10A at the No. 1 Dong Trieu Southern Students' School at that time had over 40 students, both male and female. Teacher Le Ngoc Lap confided: “Although the students were young and had to leave their families to go to a distant land, they were very well-behaved, very conscientious in their studies, and strived for success. The clearest evidence is their achievements today. I am very happy and proud of that. Even more touching is that despite the distance and few opportunities to meet, they always remember each other, always remembering that in Thanh Hoa there was a teacher who had taught and accompanied them. Many students who had the chance to pass through Thanh Hoa never forgot to visit me or call to update me on their situation. They also often call to chat and inquire about my health. My students and I will always live in fond memories, in the loyal and grateful teacher-student relationship, remembering our roots.”

Seventy years have passed, and the greatest joy is that the teachers and students of the Southern Students' School No. 1 in Dong Trieu are able to sit together again, reminiscing about old times.

The passage of time may have taken its toll on Mr. Lap's health, and may have turned gray the hair of many, but the most precious thing is that all the students of class 10A (1965-1966) have always cherished the fondest memories of each other. Mr. Tran Quoc Be, 79 years old, the class president of 10A, recalled the most passionate years of their youth: "Those were difficult times, full of hardships, but everyone was determined to study and train hard so as not to disappoint the care and support of the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the dedication of the teachers at the school."

"Those were difficult times, full of hardships, but everyone was determined to study and train hard so as not to disappoint the care and support of the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and the dedication of the teachers in the school."

Mr. Bé will always remember the image of Mr. Lập, who daily cared for, looked after, and devotedly cared for his students as if they were his own children. He was not only a teacher of academics in the classroom but also a mentor, guiding and correcting even the smallest aspects of life. “To this day, we still feel grateful for the precious things we received. More than a teacher or a father, Mr. Lập was the one who guided and directed me, giving me the will and effort to join the Party and the honor of being a Party member since I was a high school student. I cannot express that kindness in words,” Mr. Bé shared.

Teacher Le Ngoc Lap - who spent about 20 years working with the school for students from Southern Vietnam in the North.

It was well past lunchtime, and the story of the 70th anniversary was interrupted by busy schedules and urgent work. Some, not wanting to miss the reunion with their friends and homeroom teacher, had temporarily set aside their unfinished work and flown to Thanh Hoa. Now, having fulfilled their wish, they hurried back to the airport to return to the South. The rest were all excited and eager to prepare for the afternoon's elaborate and grand commemoration ceremony in Sam Son, held at the Memorial Area for the Southern compatriots, cadres, and soldiers who relocated to the North. Mr. Do Thanh Lap confided: "Having seen news and images of the memorial area and the preparations for the commemoration through the press, I feel even more moved and enthusiastic. It's truly heartwarming that after 70 years, Thanh Hoa is once again welcoming us to such a solemn and affectionate reunion."

Teacher Le Ngoc Lap was once honored to receive a Certificate of Commendation from President Ho Chi Minh.

Life is a series of encounters and partings. Partings often lead to reunions. Witnessing firsthand and listening to the heartfelt stories and affectionate memories shared by Teacher Le Ngoc Lap with his students, and the beautiful recollections of the North-South camaraderie during that turbulent period, we all deeply appreciate the profound humanistic meaning and value of this commemorative event and the presence of the memorial site, symbolizing the gathering ship, on the Sam Son beach.

Huong Thao - Hoang Son

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/cuoc-hoi-ngo-cua-nhung-yeu-thuong-228778.htm