“From all corners of the world, amidst the flames of war, the sons return after years of separation, laying down their guns and wiping the sweat from their brows, to rebuild our Hanoi ,” Mr. Nguyen Nhu Thien recited the poem “The Day of Return” by writer and comrade Nguyen Dinh Thi, painting before our eyes the unforgettable memories of a soldier from a time of war and fire.
"I've returned, Hanoi!"
From Ho Chi Minh City, we had the opportunity to sit down with Colonel Nguyen Nhu Thien and listen to him recount the story of the historic October in the capital. Although he is 93 years old, his voice—that of a son of Hanoi—is still gentle, making us feel as if we could see the image of the dashing young man from Hanoi of yesteryear.
Mr. Thien was born and raised in Gia Vien commune, Ung Hoa district, Ha Dong province (now Hanoi). Before the August Revolution of 1945, when he was not yet 14 years old, he repeatedly crossed the Day River with cadres and soldiers to fight the French in My Duc district, Hanoi. In 1950, he was sent to study platoon and company-level command for over 18 months in Yunnan province, China. In 1951, upon returning to Vietnam with his comrades, he was instructed by General Nguyen Chi Thanh (then Head of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army): "You comrades have returned from your studies, now go fight!" From then on, he became a soldier of the Capital Regiment, 308th Division.
Recalling the days when he and his unit returned to take over the capital, Mr. Thien recounted: “The 308th Division was stationed in Bac Giang at that time. Before returning to take over the capital, reporters came to take commemorative photos. The unit lined up neatly, their faces beaming, and they took very beautiful pictures.” On October 10, 1954, the army's footsteps advanced into the capital from three directions, led by the Capital Regiment, followed by the 36th Regiment and the 88th Regiment. The infantry soldiers of the Capital Regiment, led by Regiment Commander Nguyen Quoc Tri, marched through Kim Ma, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Cua Nam, Hang Bong, Hang Dao, Hang Ngang streets… before entering and setting up camp in the Hanoi Citadel. “When the soldiers returned, people rushed out, filling the streets amidst a sea of flags and flowers. The whole of Hanoi was overflowing with the joy of liberation…,” Mr. Thien recalled.
At exactly 3 PM, the siren of the Grand Theatre sounded a long blast, and military units and citizens of the capital attended the flag-raising ceremony. October 10th was also a special day in his heart – the day he reunited with his life partner, whom he had longed for day and night. Speaking about his late wife, People's Artist Tran Thi Tuyet, Mr. Thien thoughtfully looked at his keepsake guitar: "My wife passed away almost four years ago." Ms. Tuyet was the same age as him, childhood sweethearts. When President Ho Chi Minh launched the resistance war against French colonialism, he remained in the capital to fight, while she and her family evacuated. After waiting eight long years, when his unit returned to take over the capital, the two were finally reunited. Ms. Tran Thi Tuyet is also one of the rare individuals in the field of poetry recitation in Vietnam to be awarded the title of People's Artist (in 2016). She began her career in poetry recitation in 1957 and became known to the public through the "Poetry Voice" program of the Voice of Vietnam Radio.
The emotions remain intact.
Ms. Le Thi Van was born in 1930 in Ha Hoa mountainous district, Phu Tho province. After joining the Party at the age of 19, this daughter of the ancestral land decided to join the army and serve in the resistance war. In 1951, Ms. Van completed a 6-month nursing training course and was assigned to treat wounded soldiers in the Northwest Campaign, the Upper Laos Campaign, and the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. After the historic victory at Dien Bien Phu, Ms. Van was one of three female nurses assigned to the Military Medical Department, joining the marching units in the Women's Medical Company led by Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Toan. Ms. Le Thi Van was the platoon leader of Platoon 3.
Recalling the training days under the sweltering Hanoi heat, Mrs. Van recounted: “The women practiced day and night, perfecting every step and every movement. The training was arduous; some women fainted due to the heat, but everyone was incredibly proud. The unit even had a visit from President Ho Chi Minh.” That day, Platoon 3 didn't go to the training ground but stayed at the unit for political training. “Platoon 3 received a notice that a superior officer was coming to visit and encourage us before carrying out the Liberation Day parade. No one knew who the superior officer was; only when the door opened did we all realize it was President Ho Chi Minh,” Mrs. Van recalled the most beautiful days of her life. Uncle Ho entered, affectionately asking the children if they were well, if they had eaten enough, and how their training was going... “We were overjoyed, excitedly reporting to Uncle Ho. He asked if any of the children had come from the South to the regrouping area. The unit reported that there were two comrades, and the two girls ran up and hugged Uncle Ho, sobbing uncontrollably. We cried too. Uncle Ho, being kind, asked why we were crying when we should be happy to see him. We smiled, wiped away our tears, and said, ‘We were so happy to see you that we cried.’ That feeling remains vivid in my mind, and I will never forget it!” Mrs. Van said emotionally.
On the night of October 9th and 10th, no one in Ms. Van's unit could sleep, restless with worry about the atmosphere the next day and whether the parade would be smooth and beautiful. On that historic day of October 10th, the female medical corps marched solemnly, filled with joy and happiness at the day the army returned to take over the capital. Ms. Van recalled, her eyes sparkling with joy: "Throughout the training period in the barracks, we weren't allowed to go out to ensure safety. Only after completing our mission did we go sightseeing, strolling along Hang Ngang and Hang Dao streets, visiting Dong Xuan market... whispering to each other, 'The capital is so beautiful, the streets are so wide, the men and women of the capital are so beautiful.' That memory feels like it was just yesterday!"
THU HOAI
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ky-uc-mot-thoi-hoa-lua-post762745.html
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