One act of empathy, nearly a decade of giving.
Unless mentioned by her colleagues, few would know that the simple, calm woman before us—Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Thi Ha—was recently honored as one of the 100 outstanding voluntary blood donors nationwide in 2026. Over the past decade, she has donated blood and blood components 51 times, quietly contributing to giving many patients a chance at life.
Behind those impressive numbers isn't a story of achievements or accolades. What truly impressed us was the perseverance of a woman who always chooses to give silently. For Ms. Ha, blood donation has never been an activity to seek recognition. It's simply something she feels she needs to do while she's healthy and able to share with the community.
When recalling that journey, she doesn't begin with her first blood donations, nor does she mention the certificates or awards she received. What remains most deeply etched in her memory is a morning in 2017 at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, where she brought her nephew, who suffered from thalassemia, for treatment. During the waiting period, the female soldier witnessed the lives of patients whose daily lives depended on blood transfusions to sustain them.
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Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Thi Ha, a military officer, participating in a voluntary blood donation drive. Photo: HA LINH |
These were young children accustomed to lengthy treatments; fathers and mothers from impoverished rural areas, burdened by worries about illness, economic hardship, and the anxiety of blood shortages. These images stirred deep thoughts in the female soldier. More than anyone else, she understood that behind each patient was a family placing their hopes in every unit of blood donated. It was this very natural empathy that led to a decision. If her blood could help someone overcome a difficult time, why not donate? This wasn't a decision driven by emotion, but a choice stemming from compassion and a sense of responsibility to the community. From that first blood donation, the journey of sharing began and has never ended.
Looking back, Ms. Ha believes that the most valuable thing blood donation brings is not only the joy of helping others but also the understanding of the value of life and one's responsibility to society. In life, not everyone has the opportunity to do great things, but everyone can contribute through practical actions that suit their abilities. For her, blood donation is a way of giving back to people, the community, and society.
Compassion becomes a responsibility.
What is admirable about Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Thi Ha is not only the number of times she has donated blood, but also the perseverance behind those acts of giving, because blood donation is not a one-time event. Maintaining this activity for many years requires the donor to have good health, a sense of self-discipline, and, more importantly, the spirit and motivation to persevere. For Lieutenant Colonel Ha, that motivation stems from her understanding of the significance of each unit of blood. She understands that blood is a special resource that, to date, no medicine or technology can completely replace. For many emergency patients, accident victims, surgical patients, or those with blood diseases, each unit of blood received means an additional chance of survival. Therefore, after her first blood donation, she did not see it as a mere trend. Blood donation gradually became a part of her life. Without waiting for campaigns or needing reminders, whenever she was healthy enough, she proactively participated in blood donation. These donations followed one another year after year, quietly reflecting the character of this female soldier.
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| National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan presented Certificates of Commendation to honor Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Thi Ha and other delegates as outstanding voluntary blood donors nationwide in 2026. Photo: Vu Hieu |
During that journey, not every blood donation went according to plan. There were unexpected emergency calls that pulled her away from her daily routine, forcing her to race against time with patients. She clearly remembers one afternoon after work, when she received news that a patient urgently needed a platelet transfusion, but a suitable source hadn't yet arrived. Without hesitation, Ms. Ha arranged her family affairs and rushed to the blood donation center. But then an unexpected situation occurred: On the way, her car suddenly broke down. In the middle of rush hour, the traffic was dense, and every minute felt heavy and endless. The urgency was overwhelming; time seemed to squeeze every breath. Each time she looked at her watch, the ticking second hand felt like a cut into her impatience. Just a little more delay, and the opportunity to receive and separate the platelets might be gone.
Without waiting for the car to be repaired, she immediately left the vehicle with an acquaintance for assistance and found another way to continue her journey. At times, she would hastily stand by the roadside to hail a taxi, her hand still clutching her phone to update the situation, every second and every minute focused on a single destination: where the patient was waiting.
Upon arriving at the blood donation center, she barely had time to rest, quickly completing the health check-ups and screening tests before proceeding with the platelet donation process as instructed by the medical staff. The donation process lasted quite a while, so by the time she finished the procedures and returned home, the city lights had already come on. Although exhausted after the platelet donation, she felt incredibly happy. A few days later, when she learned that the platelets she donated were being used promptly for a patient, her happiness multiplied many times over.
She had no idea who the person who received the platelet transfusion that day was, where they lived, or what their circumstances were. Perhaps they would never have the chance to meet. And it was precisely this lack of consideration that highlighted the humanitarian value of voluntary blood donation. It is unconditional sharing, without expecting anything in return; it is human connection forged through the simplest things.
Perhaps it is from this mindset that, for many years, she has consistently maintained a scientific lifestyle, actively engaging in physical exercise and taking care of her health. For her, maintaining good health is not only for work but also to continue fulfilling the responsibilities she has chosen. When compassion is nurtured by a sense of responsibility, good deeds are no longer just actions taken in practice but become a way of thinking, a way of life, and an integral part of each person's character.
The beauty of female soldiers in peacetime.
In the military, orders are synonymous with organizational awareness, discipline, and the responsibility of a soldier. However, in addition to the orders given in carrying out her duties, Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Thi Ha also carries within her the "orders of her heart."
That command wasn't in writing; it wasn't conveyed verbally or through administrative directives, but rather stemmed from love for humanity, civic responsibility, and the noble qualities of the Ho Chi Minh's Army soldiers in the new era. It was this "command" that motivated her to persevere on her journey of giving back for many years. As a finance officer, her daily work involves numbers, documents, and strict requirements for accuracy. In her professional work, she is consistently praised by her colleagues for her dedication, responsibility, and for successfully completing all assigned tasks. But what everyone respects most is the way she lives and interacts with the community.
Instead of using flowery words to persuade others, she spreads the value of blood donation through her own actions. Her perseverance and sincerity have naturally convinced her comrades, colleagues, relatives, and friends. Many, after witnessing her consistent blood donation for many years, have voluntarily registered to participate in voluntary blood donation programs. From one beautiful act, many more beautiful acts have emerged; from one compassionate heart, the spirit of sharing has spread throughout the community. Speaking about his comrade and employee, Colonel Pham Quang Chien, Director of the Institute of Military Ship Design, affirmed: "Being honored as one of the 100 outstanding voluntary blood donors nationwide in 2026 is a well-deserved recognition of the persistent and silent contributions of Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Thi Ha."
Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, the image of Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Thi Ha emerges as both simple and noble. Her 51 blood donations and donations of blood components represent 51 times she has chosen to put the interests of others above her own; 51 times she has shown love, respect, and silent sacrifice through concrete actions. From these acts of selfless blood donation, the image of a revolutionary female soldier emerges as both relatable and beautiful. She is not only a role model in voluntary blood donation but also a vivid testament to the humane qualities, sense of responsibility, and the tradition of "serving the people" of the Ho Chi Minh Army in peacetime. And perhaps, it is ordinary people like her who are contributing to the nurturing, spreading, and continuation of positive values in society through their daily acts of kindness.
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-17/menh-lenh-tu-trai-tim-nu-quan-nhan-1045734
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