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| Portrait of veteran Tran Van Thanh, 76 years old, driving a motorbike from the North to the South to watch the parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day. Photo: Minh Tai |
As a veteran who fought at the B5 front (Route 9 area - North Quang Tri ) during the resistance war against the US, Mr. Thanh said that this journey was not only a desire to witness the parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, but also an opportunity for him to show his gratitude to his comrades and look back at the changes in the country after 50 years of reunification.
“Today, being in Dong Nai means I am very close to Ho Chi Minh City. I feel even more excited, like the day we were preparing to liberate the South. I am very excited to go to the city named after Uncle Ho - Ho Chi Minh City” - Mr. Thanh said emotionally.
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| Mr. Tran Van Thanh walks through the welcome gate of Bien Hoa city. Photo: Minh Tai |
Mr. Thanh departed from Vinh City on April 17th on an old Honda Dream motorbike. On average, he travels 150-200km each day. To avoid the heat, he usually departs at 6am, takes a lunch break, and continues in the early afternoon.
“I use a motorbike because I want to see the country through 50 years of renovation. Passing Ngang Pass and Hai Van Pass, the scenery is very beautiful. And along the way, I witnessed that the Vietnamese people now have a prosperous and happy life," he added.
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| Wherever he goes, people enthusiastically accompany him. Photo: Minh Tai |
On the journey, he visited many historical sites, including the old battlefield in Quang Tri to burn incense for his comrades. The "81-day and night" battle to protect Quang Tri Citadel was one of the fiercest battles in the resistance war against the US, where our army and people fought for every inch of land with the enemy. Many of Mr. Thanh's comrades fell here.
During the trip, Mr. Thanh encountered some minor obstacles. However, he said his health was stable and did not affect the progress of the trip.
After a night's rest at a relative's house in Trang Bom town, Trang Bom district, at 5:30 a.m. on April 26, Mr. Thanh continued his journey to Ho Chi Minh City.
When passing through Bien Hoa city, many people were surprised and happy to recognize the veteran who had been mentioned many days ago on social networks. The image of the 76-year-old man driving an old motorbike carrying the national flag inspired many people. Anyone who recognized him stopped to take a photo, asked about him, and gave him water, cakes, and wishes for peace.
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| People eagerly asked to take photos with the veteran. Photo: Minh Tai |
Mr. Dinh Ngoc Ha (residing in Long Binh ward, Bien Hoa city) shared: “I have been following Mr. Thanh's journey since he departed from Nghe An . Today, I woke up at 5 am to welcome him. When I met him in person, I was really moved. The image of a veteran traveling thousands of kilometers to the South to attend the parade made me think of my father, who is also a veteran but is currently living in the countryside and cannot attend the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South this time. Therefore, I really hope that Mr. Thanh will complete his meaningful journey, as if representing my father to the South.”
Minh Hanh
Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202504/cuu-chien-binh-76-tuoi-lai-xe-xuyen-viet-da-den-bien-hoa-chuan-bi-du-le-dieu-binh-30-4-tai-thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-6d5080f/
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