Unclosed Memories reveal the first diary pages of Dang Thuy Tram

The book first publishes many unpublished diary pages of martyr and doctor Dang Thuy Tram, especially the period before she volunteered to go to the battlefield in the South.

According to Ms. Khuc Thi Hoa Phuong, Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Vietnamese Women's Publishing House, in 2005, Dang Thuy Tram's two war diaries caused a stir when they returned from the US after 35 years of being lost. Those simple but emotional pages touched millions of Vietnamese and international hearts, becoming a symbol of patriotism and the ideal of a beautiful life. After 20 years, "Thuy Tram's flame" still burns, continuing to inspire many generations.

Seminar introducing the book Dang Thuy Tram and the third diary

The third diary was compiled by Ms. Dang Kim Tram, the doctor's younger sister, from personal documents and unpublished posthumous works. This is essentially the first diary, recording the thoughts, ambitions, and concerns of Dang Thuy Tram when she was a medical student, living in the peaceful heart of Hanoi but her heart turned to the South. The book recreates the dreamy and idealistic youth of the female doctor who once wanted to pursue a career in science , writing, and have her own happiness, but chose the path of dedication.

The book consists of two main parts: “The Ideal Class” and “The Bridge Over the River of Division” , accompanied by letters and memoirs of Dang Thuy Tram’s mother, Mrs. Doan Ngoc Tram and family members. Notably, the unfinished love affair with a Southern soldier that was once mentioned now appears truthfully and emotionally through many slices.

At the exchange, literary critic and researcher Ha Thanh Van said that the third diary is not simply a manuscript but deeply reflects the depth of thoughts and personality of martyr Dang Thuy Tram. Through the book, her family "continued" her 20s with love and memories and contributed to the development of a literary genre called diary. The book reflects the depth of Dang Thuy Tram's personality and soul, while contributing to the development of diary literature, evoking life ideals and a spirit of dedication in peacetime.

Dang Thuy Tram and her third diary are a profound tribute to the deceased, a bridge between memory and the present, affirming that patriotism does not belong to a particular time, but always exists in the heart of every Vietnamese person.

MAI AN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ky-uc-chua-khep-he-lo-nhung-trang-nhat-ky-dau-tien-cua-dang-thuy-tram-post804353.html