Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, Politburo member, Chairman of the National Assembly visited and recorded in the golden book of tradition of the unit.

In Thua Thien Hue, after a short working session with provincial leaders chaired by Mr. Ho Xuan Man, then member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, right after the delegation of the National Assembly Chairman arrived in Hue on January 8, it was expected that the next day, the delegation of the National Assembly Chairman would continue their visit and survey the Ho Chi Minh trail through A Luoi and then go south.

At first, the security forces suggested two options for the route: route 1 would visit the route through A Luoi for a short distance, then return to Hue to enter Da Nang via Thanh My, continue to cross Lo Xo pass to Kon Tum ; route 2 would go from Hue to A Luoi, then follow the Ho Chi Minh route south through the newly completed A Dot tunnel to Thanh My and then go to Kon Tum according to the planned schedule. In response to our analysis and enthusiastic suggestions, the National Assembly Chairman decided that the survey team would follow route 2 to witness with their own eyes the most difficult section of the Western Truong Son route.

I joined the delegation as Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Thua Thien Hue Province. Accompanying me were Colonel, Commander of the Provincial Border Guard Tran Dang Dung, Mr. Hoang Ngoc Nam, Secretary of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation and when arriving in A Luoi, after meeting, greeting and briefly exchanging with the district leaders, Mr. Ho On, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the District Party Committee, National Assembly Delegate of the 11th term, joined the delegation to visit Border Guard Station 637 in Huong Nguyen.

This is a newly established border post, in a remote area, very far from the district center, the post is only more than 500 meters from the Vietnam - Laos border. The officers and soldiers have been going through many difficulties to gradually build the infrastructure and stabilize their living conditions, while taking care of border work and building and consolidating the unit.

The General Secretary's handwriting when visiting Border Guard Station 637

Lieutenant Colonel Duong Ngoc Ha, Station Chief, Major Le Duc Phuc, Political Commissar and all officers and soldiers in the station were extremely excited to welcome the delegation. It was a great honor to meet one of the highest leaders of the Party and State to visit and "break ground" early at the unit before the traditional Lunar New Year of the nation.

The National Assembly Chairman warmly greeted and shook hands with each person, then went around to visit the unit's dining and accommodation, then went to the station's Hall to directly listen to the station's leaders report on the situation and achievements, especially after the station temporarily completed the construction plan. He warmly praised the unit's recent efforts and kindly reminded the station as well as each officer and soldier to continue to strive to achieve even greater results in the coming time, contributing to firmly protecting the Fatherland's borders. The comrade's commemorative words in the traditional golden book will forever be a priceless asset of the station and the Provincial Border Guard to remind everyone to always remember and carry out well the advice of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.

The intimate meal to welcome the delegation at station 637 took place in a joyful and warm atmosphere with a menu prepared by the "foodie" of the soldiers, with the Tet flavor of banh chung, banh tet and Hue pickled vegetables, which gave us more energy as we prepared to overcome the most arduous part of the journey to the south, through the newly built A Dot tunnel; winding through the old forest along the foot of the Bach Ma mountain range to Dong Giang, Thanh My (Quang Nam) and continuing through Kham Duc, crossing the dangerous Lo Xo pass to reach Kon Tum province when it was already dark.

Although most of the delegation members were quite tired, the National Assembly Chairman always appeared cheerful, encouraging everyone to carry out the program that the Kon Tum provincial leaders had worked hard to arrange.

Passing through Dak To - Tan Canh, the convoy sped along the newly completed Ho Chi Minh road. The National Assembly Chairman was very moved when meeting and presiding over the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the bridge and road project with many local people, Kon Tum provincial leaders, representatives of businesses and bridge and road workers who had been waiting for the convoy for hours despite the late evening.

Next, the National Assembly Chairman and his delegation visited the headquarters of the Military Rubber Farm in Dac Ha. After listening to the Director's summary report on the construction and development of the unit, Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong expressed his joy at the remarkable development of the farm, including in terms of expanding production, improving operational efficiency and paying special attention to improving the material and spiritual lives of workers.

The delegation arrived at the Kon Tum Provincial Party Committee Guest House for dinner near midnight. The signs of hardship from the long journey disappeared, leaving behind a harmonious and happy atmosphere between the guests and the host because everything had been completed well according to plan.

Although the National Assembly Chairman proactively reminded me to stay with the delegation to continue working with Kon Tum province the next day; but because some work was already scheduled at home, I asked him for permission to return to the province.

The trip with the delegation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong to visit and survey the Ho Chi Minh trail left indelible memories in my heart.

Today, when I heard that comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, the Party General Secretary, had just passed away due to serious illness; memories of the trip 17 years ago suddenly came back to me with a deep sadness. I still remember clearly his dignified demeanor and flexible management methods during the years he held the position of Chairman of the 11th National Assembly; his exemplary character in daily activities and life; the times I met him in several meetings of the three sister units Hanoi - Hue - Saigon when he was Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee. In particular, I will never forget the impressions he left through the trip with him to survey the majestic Truong Son route; the trip demonstrated the strategic vision and deep concern of one of the highest leaders of the Party and State for a project of vital significance to the Fatherland; the trip also revealed the beauty of his personality, ethics, qualities and working style close to the people and the grassroots; who in the following years took the lead as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam for nearly three terms, contributing to the comprehensive and remarkable development of Vietnam.

I would like to write these lines to send a stick of incense to pay respect to his soul; share the great loss of his family and friends and always firmly believe that his determination to innovate; his unceasing concern for the revolutionary cause and the people's lives will continue to be inherited by the next generations, towards the noble goals of the Party, Uncle Ho and the ideals to which he devoted his whole life.

Hue, July 20, 2024

Nguyen Van Me
(Former Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, former Chairman of the People's Committee, Chairman of the People's Council, former Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Thua Thien Hue province, term XI)