The sadness of years away from her…

Minh Khai High School, Hanoi (established in 1965, now Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School, Hanoi) started its first semester from September 1975 to May 1978. The first semester was filled with the joy of a country without war, but it was also the time when the subsidized economy (1976-1986) gradually reached its peak of difficulty and shortage. At that time, the school had eight 8th grade classes. Class 8C was for students from the suburbs, including the communes: Minh Khai, Phu Dien, Cau Dien, Tay Mo, Dai Mo. 50 students, most of whom came from farming families or worked in small businesses. A few had parents who were state officials, civil servants, or public employees.

Teacher Nguyen Phuong Khanh (born in 1951) is the homeroom teacher of class 8C, and also teaches Biology, one of the final exam subjects. She has a small figure, a gentle voice, but exudes a strong and determined appearance. According to Police Colonel Le Nguyen Tuan (former student of class 8C), on the first day of class, she only briefly introduced herself and then proactively learned about each person's family situation. Her feelings for the class gradually formed and became close due to her personal style.

Paying tribute to teacher Nguyen Phuong Khanh - Homeroom teacher of classes 8C-9C-10C, school year 1975-1978, at her home in Hai Phong city, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of graduation (2023).

Teachers and students accompanied each other from class 8C to class 10C and ended with a graduation ceremony for 100% of students on May 31, 1978. When saying goodbye, classmates swore to meet every year on May 31, respectfully inviting the homeroom teacher to attend. Then, some people enlisted in the Army and Police. Most of them went to universities, colleges, and technical secondary schools. Due to the difficult learning conditions (because the whole country was forced to fight to protect the Fatherland in the South and the North; the economy was increasingly declining), they could not fulfill their wishes. It was not until 1999 that the group "Classmates 10C, Minh Khai High School, Hanoi , class 1977-1978" (10C-MK HN 77-78) was formed and has been maintained until now.

Right after the group was formed, the most important thing was to know the situation of the homeroom teacher. For three years in her loving arms, everyone thought that listening to her, studying well, and cultivating morality was a way to repay her. Then, when they were fully grown, they thought back on the past and could not feel at peace. Because no one knew how she was living.

At the first group meeting, Deputy Head of the Liaison Committee (BLL) Le Nguyen Tuan collected from many sources, reported and learned that she came from a working-class family on Kim Ma Street (Hanoi). In 1968, she studied at Hanoi Pedagogical University 1, Faculty of Biology. At the end of the second year, she and Uncle Thoi (from Hai Phong, same class) fell in love. She fell in love with him because he was kind and loved music. He played and sang very soulfully. In August 1970, he put down his pen and joined the army in a military engineering unit in Lai Xa (Hoai Duc, Hanoi). In 1974, she was teaching at Minh Khai School when he received orders to go to the B battlefield. After a period of ideological struggle, because of her love for him and her love for her students, hoping that they could study happily in peace... she agreed to marry him. Her family was worried about her and tried to dissuade her. She cried her eyes out. Then, because of their love for their child, her parents, with tears flowing inside, agreed to let the groom's family take the bride. He went to B, leaving behind in her a being taking shape with the echoes of the song: "Not yet fulfilled the meaning of Saigon, Da Nang. We say goodbye to each other, goodbye to the beloved coastal city. That Hai Phong, standing tall, only knows how to raise its head...".

In the spring of 1975, Uncle Thoi participated in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign to liberate Saigon, which was also the time when she gave birth to her son. She struggled alone, taught, and raised her son. When peace came, he returned from the army to continue his studies. “The warmth of a married couple” could not warm up the deprived life in the “freezing cold of rationing”. At that time, no one in class 8C and 9C knew that, in addition to the time spent on her career and beloved students, she used all her days off to study for a truck driver’s license, then transported oxygen tanks, and helped her grandfather do welding for hire, contributing to ensuring daily life.

After graduating from class 10C (June 1978), her superiors created conditions for her to move to her husband's hometown in Ha Lung village, Dang Hai commune (An Hai, Hai Phong) to work. From here, her husband and wife embarked on a life of many hardships. She was always ready to take on any job, as long as it was honest labor, including jobs not intended for women such as driving for hire, gardening, raising livestock and poultry... to earn money to raise and educate her children and build the family economy. She overcame all difficulties with extraordinary courage in a fragile body that weighed less than 45kg. The hardships seriously affected her health, but also tempered her. So later, in the years 2019-2023, she fell seriously ill, but thanks to her own determination, the care of her husband, children and the medical team, she overcame it and miraculously recovered.

Former Artillery Officer Dang Xuan Mai emotionally added: “At the end of 1982, I and my unit participated in a land-to-sea tactical exercise in Do Son (Hai Phong). I visited my uncle and aunt's family. She was still slim and agile, with bright eyes and a clear voice. I told her about my military life and how much I missed her, which moved my uncle and aunt. She said: "Since you transferred to work here, I am the first former student to meet you again." She asked me about the situation of my 10C classmates. She encouraged me to continue training and striving to improve. She gave me two bags of garden apples she made herself, one for the unit, and one she asked me to send to Ms. Trinh who worked at the Do Son Post Office. Her advice was the motivation that helped me grow up in the military, as well as when I returned to work as a cadre at the local party base."

Since that meeting, the relationship between teacher and student became regular and inseparable.

Like birds returning to their nests

In March 2023, BLL 10C-MKHN 77-78 celebrated the 45th anniversary of Graduation Day in Hanoi. She had just recovered from a serious illness so she could not attend. BLL asked for her permission, and right after the celebration, the whole group went to visit her family. Her family was very happy. She advised: "When you go to the Red Flamboyant City, you should spend time visiting the red addresses." She worked as an online tour guide, giving directions and advising on the itinerary. She reminded us to bring warm clothes because it was still cold.

That afternoon, Ha Lung village was filled with dry, golden sunshine. She hurriedly waited at the gate and called her husband, announcing that the 10C students had arrived. The whole garden was filled with bright flowers and leaves, warmed by voices and laughter. She was happy to see her former students now mature, former cadres, officers; technicians, businessmen, teachers, artists... She called each person's name. Everyone was surprised by her memory, by her thin figure, but her eyes were bright. She asked the students: "Oh! Why are you crying when you see me?" The students replied: "Teacher. Because we love you. And also because you... are crying."

The old impressions were simulated and recreated very touchingly. She praised the BLL for organizing the 45th anniversary of Graduation Day for inviting the School Board and teachers who had directly taught class 10C to attend the ceremony. Uncle Thoi's guitar and singing voice are now better than before. He said that it was because of the love they had for each other through the hard days but the romantic feelings never faded.

Giving flowers to express gratitude to teachers who directly taught class 10C on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of graduation (2023).

Exactly 2 years later, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the first day of school (1975-2025), which was also the occasion when she turned 75 and had recovered her health, the Board of Directors asked for her permission to hold a celebration in Ho Chi Minh City, to take her on a tour of the South. With her consent, the whole group was overjoyed. Head of the Board of Directors Le Van Manh, Deputy Head Le Nguyen Tuan and the members unanimously decided: "All to make her happy and for the students to fulfill their dream of living with her like the early days."

The whole group was bustling with messages and calls, "Happy as welcoming mom home from the market". Some people canceled their Northern Europe trip that they had booked 6 months in advance, the cost was not small but they let it go, just waiting for her. From the south, Board of Directors member Tran Minh Thu and her husband (Mr. Son) quickly called out: "Request everyone to attend to welcome her together and for Thu and her husband to be lucky enough to "host" this event with perfection and memorability. Board of Directors member Dang Thi Thanh "joined the group", immediately claimed the right to stay with her, directly take care of her, and support her throughout the trip.

I would like to be your "Big Sister"

It is impossible to describe all the beautiful, deep, and touching impressions of the teacher-student relationship at the meeting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the school year, in the city named after Uncle Ho, in the middle of the country's Spring (At Ty-2025). "Stories just told now" blend with today's stories...

“It’s been 50 years. I can still feel her strictness and seriousness, even when she smiles,” Board of Directors member Dao Dinh Tuan recalled: “Back then, there were 4 students at each table. She assigned tasks, the person sitting at the head of the table in the middle of the classroom was the head of the table; the person at the other head of the table, like me, was the deputy head of the table and also closed the window on that side. I almost never got a 7 in Biology. It was her strict love in teaching that helped me do quite well on my graduation exam. I was confident that I could get a 7 or higher.”

In preparation for each exam, there were late afternoons when she stayed behind to tutor and review lessons with her students. For those who did not do well on the test or were hesitant, she often kindly asked: "If you don't understand something, I will explain it to you again" and encouraged: "I believe you can do it". Her love is the driving force that helps students who are having difficulties to overcome themselves and move forward.

Class 10C under her leadership always achieved the title of “Socialist Student Collective”. Former Secretary of the Youth Union Tran Minh Thu expressed: “It was she who gave Thu enough strength to run across the rice fields in the vast rain and wind, in time to meet her male friend Nguyen Quang Hai to ask clearly, why did he leave while studying? Hai gave an unreasonable reason. Thu asked Hai to return immediately to study, ensuring that the class's number of students is always stable and at the highest level”.

After 50 years of meeting again, she remembered the names of each student, even those she had not seen much. She did not forget those who had difficult family circumstances but still tried their best, such as: Yen, whose parents were sick; Y, who sold vegetables from early in the morning all year round, often skipping breakfast to get to class on time; some students, who for several months did not know what good pork was; two cold winters, still only wore one cotton coat. After the year-end ceremony, she organized a class to eat bun cha. She cooked very well. To this day, 10C students still praise her.

The students were amazed at her homemade dried fruit and the grapefruits from her garden. She cut them after Tet to give to the children, so the grapefruits were a bit hard. However, there was not a single piece left. She said: "If they are not delicious, the children will finish them all." Hearing this, I loved her even more. She gave advice on protecting the health of the elderly, how to preserve family happiness, and how to teach her children and grandchildren. She recalled an old story about a colleague whose wife was a farmer and had 5 children of school age. Every day, his wife sometimes carried a basket of tomatoes on her head, sometimes a tray of hot peppers under her arm to the market. Yet, she was still able to buy meat for her children to eat. Because he always researched and created off-season crops that attracted buyers, and paid attention to choosing tomato varieties that could withstand the heat and limit pests and diseases, producing delicious fruit all year round.

That old story conveyed the meaning of love for people always blending with love for creativity in work. She advised that the Zalo group should be sincere, not forcing anyone, because each person has their own interests, circumstances, and conditions. With limited travel time, she reminded BLL to prioritize going to historical and cultural sites with profound meaning. The class organized a visit to Duc Thanh School (Phan Thiet City), where Uncle Ho used to teach. She instructed: "When you get there, pay attention to look at the documents, listen to the explanations and contemplate for yourself, to understand part of Uncle Ho's career in the corresponding historical context."

On behalf of the whole group, BLL respectfully said to her: “We ask for your forgiveness when we were stubborn and disobedient. Some of our students were naughty, making you angry and sad. Now we officially ask for your forgiveness!” She pondered for a moment, then looked at everyone, affectionately but still with the same stern tone as before: “Naughty, but not allowed to be bad. I am not only responsible for correcting my students so they don’t go bad, but I am also not allowed to let them go bad… If anything happens, you all forgive me!”

With teacher Nguyen Phuong Khanh - Homeroom teacher of classes 8C-9C-10C, school year 1975-1978 on a trip to Ho Chi Minh City (2025).

The group offered her money. She tried to stop them: “I’m asking you guys for this envelope as a souvenir. I won’t accept any money.” They all said in unison: “We beg you to let us disobey you this once.” She looked at them all silently, then bowed her head and said in a low voice: “I’m crazy. Children grow up quickly, but old age quickly turns crazy. I can’t direct them anymore. I hope you guys understand!” Her eyelids seemed to have drops of afternoon dew. The girls wiped their tears with their sleeves, just like her little students in the past.

Head of the Board of Examiners Le Van Manh reported to her: Her 10C class students were among the group with the highest rate of passing the university entrance exam in the school and all of them were "good people". He clearly stated the names, positions, and occupations of each person so that she could know. Among them, 4 students enlisted in the army at the end of 1978 and then participated in the fight to protect the Fatherland, then developed in the Army or changed careers. The rest were mostly high-ranking officials, civil servants, and state employees. Many held key positions in the political system. Many were high-ranking officers, whom she called "Uncle's selfless comrades for the people".

After listening, she stood up, pointed at Mr. Son and veteran Dung Cat, and affectionately said to everyone: "There are two more precious collaborators of the class here." Everyone clapped happily. She continued: "Seeing you all grow up, I thought of the saying: "A son better than his father is a blessing to the family." But I don't dare to be too superior. I just think of myself as "your eldest sister", I promise to live well to be worthy of you all."

Everyone stood up and applauded endlessly. Oh! A teacher! “We love you more than ever with all our admiration and respect for the love you have for us as for your own children. Memories of you are precious baggage for each of us to receive the fire of revolution, the fire of knowledge, step by step to success and happiness. But now, you only think “You are our eldest sister”. We will never leave you again. We wish to have you and Uncle Thoi in our next meetings. We always want to hear you talk and learn many things from you in life” (Words of BLL 10C-MKHN 77-78).

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/khoa-hoc-kho-quen-va-tinh-nghia-thay-tro-lop-10c-1011491