Having just returned home after participating in the parade in the land of the White Birch when Russia joyfully celebrated the 80th anniversary of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War (May 9, 1945 - May 9, 2025), Hung Yen Newspaper reporters had a chance to meet and talk with young soldiers from Nhan in that honorable formation.
First military parade in Russia, carrying the pride of Vietnam
The presence of the Vietnam People's Army in the grand parade in the Russian Federation is not only a symbol of the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Russia, but also a clear demonstration of the stature, bravery, discipline and eliteness of our army. For young soldiers, attending the honor parade in Russia for the first time is a special honor, not only for themselves but also for their homeland, unit and nation.
In that honor guard, there was Nguyen Van Bac, born in 2005, from Nhac Loc village, Trung Trac commune (Van Lam), a student studying at the Far East Region Higher Combined Arms Command Officer School (Russian Federation). Bac was one of the youngest students selected to be part of the group of international students participating in the commemorative parade in the city of Blagoveshchensk.
Born into a family with a rich military tradition, Bac dreamed of wearing a soldier's uniform since childhood. In 2023, he was admitted to the Military Technical Academy and was selected to participate in a training course for officers abroad. After studying and practicing Russian in Vietnam, at the end of 2024, he went to Russia to officially enter the armored command and staff training program.
The harsh climate, with temperatures sometimes dropping to -40 degrees Celsius, language barriers and different lifestyles did not deter Nguyen Van Bac. In particular, when he received the notice that he was selected to participate in the parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War in Blagoveshchensk, he burst into happiness. Bac shared: Every step in the parade formation is a responsibility, an image of the country, of the Vietnam People's Army. I understand that I am not only representing myself, but also carrying on my shoulders the pride of the whole nation.
When wearing the military uniform, Bac clearly felt the pride and sacred pressure. “I have to be serious in every movement, because behind me is the red flag with yellow star, the image of our army. This is an experience that helps me become more mature, more aware of the duties of an officer in the future,” Bac confided.
During the training and parade, Bac and his teammates also received enthusiastic encouragement from the Vietnamese community in Russia, which gave them the strength to complete their mission excellently.
Participating in the Parade at Red Square is a beautiful memory in my military career.
For soldier Nguyen Phu Trong (born in 2004, in Dong Than commune, Yen My district), a student at Army Officer School 1, wearing a military uniform and confidently walking on Red Square (capital Moscow) is a great honor and becomes a beautiful memory in his military career.
The parade has passed, Trong and the delegation of Vietnamese officers and soldiers returned to the country to continue with their unfinished tasks and work, but the echoes of the ceremony and the pride are still intact for the young soldier. Trong shared: Ever since I was a student, I have always admired the history of the nation's struggle against foreign invaders and the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers. Being selected to participate in the parade at the 80th Anniversary of Victory Day in Russia is a great honor. I feel extremely proud to be in the lineup participating in this historic celebration, thereby contributing a small part to spreading the image of the Vietnam People's Army to the world.
It is known that this is the first time the Vietnam People's Army Delegation has participated in a military parade abroad. The delegation consists of 86 people, of which the parade group consists of 68 soldiers from Army Officer School 1, with a height of 1.8m or more, with a balanced physique, performing command movements quickly, strongly, and accurately.
Trong said: The whole group started practicing from March 22 with a training intensity of 9 hours per day; 4.5 hours in the morning, 2.5 hours in the afternoon and 2 hours in the evening, all days of the week, regardless of the weather. During the training process, officers and soldiers encountered many difficulties when they had to quickly adapt to Russian music to walk in time with the music; wearing heavy and difficult shoes caused many members to have heel abrasions or ankle pain... Determining that this is not only a personal task but also a national responsibility, a great honor that not everyone has, he and the members of the group always practice seriously, responsibly, try hard and strive to excellently complete the assigned tasks.
When arriving at Red Square, Trong was very surprised and moved by the warm welcome of the Vietnamese people in Russia for the soldiers. Despite the cold weather, thousands of international students and overseas Vietnamese wearing red shirts with yellow stars, carrying national flags and conical hats came to cheer and support the Vietnamese parade.
On May 9, the red flag with a yellow star fluttered in the Red Square. Carrying national pride, each step of the young soldier from Nhan and his comrades demonstrated the best image of Uncle Ho's regular, elite, and gradually modernized soldiers, contributing to affirming the prestige and position of the Vietnam People's Army in the international arena.
This year’s parade not only marked a historic milestone for Russia, but also opened a new chapter in the defense relationship between the two countries. For young soldiers like Nguyen Van Bac and Nguyen Phu Trong, the “red seeds” from the land of Hung Yen, walking among the honor guard in the Russian Federation is a memorable milestone in their journey of dedication. From there, it further fostered their confidence and will to continue the glorious tradition of the heroic Vietnam People’s Army.
Source: https://baohungyen.vn/gap-go-nhung-quan-nhan-tre-que-nhan-trong-doi-hinh-duyet-binh-tai-lien-bang-nga-3181162.html
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