On June 1, 1955, Group 40 was established, under the Ministry of National Defense , to provide nursing care for soldiers in the South and Inter-zone 5. This was the predecessor of Group 296 Nursing Care. When it was first established, the Group had only 15 officers and soldiers with 4 rows of dilapidated thatched houses.

Some time later, the Delegation was honored to welcome Uncle Ho to visit. During this time, the Delegation also welcomed Comrade Ton Duc Thang, General Nguyen Chi Thanh and the family of Prince Souphanouvong (who later becamePresident of the Lao People's Democratic Republic ) to come for a vacation.

The jury of the 2025 Cooking Contest of Nursing Group 296 judged the practical content of the teams. Photo: DINH VINH

In April 1959, Group 40 changed its name to Group An Dieu Nu 296. From then on, the Group was assigned the additional task of being the rear line of military hospitals, organizing receptions and serving cadres throughout the army. When the US imperialists waged a war of destruction in the North, the cadres, employees and soldiers of Group 296 not only carried out combat missions but also received, cared for and restored their health, contributing to bringing tens of thousands of cadres, soldiers, wounded and sick soldiers back to the battlefield to continue fighting and working, including cadres of the Lao People's Army. During the years when the US imperialists fiercely attacked the North, the Group organized the evacuation of cadres, wounded and sick soldiers and successfully completed its mission.

In 1976, the Delegation was transferred to the Political Department, General Department of Logistics (now the General Department of Logistics and Engineering). Since the country's renovation, in addition to the task of welcoming and serving cadres and their families for convalescence and vacation, the Delegation has also had the honor of welcoming, serving, and ensuring the safety of Party and State leaders and veteran revolutionary cadres.

Currently, the country has entered a new stage of development, people's lives have improved, and the demand for tourism and relaxation has also increased. The Party Committee and Command of Group 296 have actively and proactively mobilized funding from above, promoted the internal strength of the unit, renovated and built hundreds of new comfortable rooms with a total of more than 900 beds; built a new Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for Occupational Diseases; spacious dining hall, 350-seat hall. Renovated, upgraded, and installed additional elevator systems for the motel; replaced and upgraded 100% of the equipment in the rooms and living rooms equivalent to a 3-star hotel. Group 296 has become one of the largest nursing care groups in the entire army.

In order to improve the quality of service, the Group has cooperated with the University of Commerce to directly teach and provide professional training; participate in tourism training courses organized by Sam Son City; send officers and employees to study at schools inside and outside the Army; regularly organize training courses, in-service training, and study tours to nursing groups in the entire Army, large restaurants and hotels in the country... Up to now, the officers and employees of the Group have the qualifications, capacity and practical experience to meet the requirements of the task.

To become a "civilized-modern-professional" nursing team, with the motto of serving "guests warmly when they arrive, guests stay wholeheartedly, guests leave thoughtfully" and the goal of "good food, good accommodation, good culture and spirit, safety in all aspects", the officers, employees and soldiers of Team 296 have not been afraid of difficulties, hardships, staying up late, waking up early, upholding the spirit of responsibility, wholeheartedly welcoming and serving guests as if welcoming family members. From 2015 to now, the Team has welcomed and served more than 300,000 guests, leaving a good impression in the hearts of officers going on vacation and tourists staying at the unit.

After 70 years of construction, growth and development, with outstanding achievements, Group 296 was honored to be awarded by the Party and State: Third-class Resistance Medal; Second-class Military Exploit Medal; First, Second and Third-class Feat Medal; 2 Third-class Fatherland Protection Medals; 2 Second-class Fatherland Protection Medals and many certificates of merit from the Government, Ministry of National Defense, General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army...

Colonel VAN DINH NHAT, Head of Nursing Group 296

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/doan-an-dieu-duong-296-khong-ngai-kho-khan-tan-tam-phuc-vu-830077