A time in soldier's uniform

Returning to civilian life, veterans have made many contributions in various fields. In particular, in literature and art, their mark has become even more profound. Artists who were once in military uniform not only preserve and promote the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" but also create many valuable literary and artistic works.

Unforgettable memories

Poet Nguyen Ngoc Chan (Au Lau ward) is one of the artists who participated in the resistance war against the US to save the country. This veteran fought in fierce battlefields such as: Dong Loc, Truong Bon, Laos battlefield, Cambodia battlefield.

The ferocity of war, which is difficult for the generation born in peace today to imagine, was recreated by him in his memoirs: “The enemy discovered that the liberation army had tanks, so they concentrated their firepower and rained fire on Cua Mo. The enemy's M72 anti-tank guns aimed at our tanks and fired continuously, the bullets exploding in the turret. In the air, enemy planes frantically fired rockets and bombs in an attempt to stop the advance of tanks and infantry.” (Loc Ninh - 1972)

baolaocai-br_z7296232238305-5b34f52e3d8b8c17a260eb185393b773.jpg — Some poetic works of poet Nguyen Ngoc Chan.

Having gone through the flames of war, more than anyone else, poet Ngoc Chan understood the value of today's peace, which was exchanged for the blood of his fallen comrades. Readers were silent when reading the lines he wrote about the sacrifice of soldiers: "At that moment, a bomb suddenly exploded next to the vehicle, the infantry battalion commander who was standing at the door of the vehicle fell down. The pain came, choking with sobs and anger, his comrades helped their comrade down to the floor of the vehicle, then continued to rush into battle." (Liberation of Phuoc Long - Opening of the campaign)

Poet Ngoc Chan directly participated in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, witnessing the images, sounds and overwhelming emotions on the day of total victory on April 30, 1975. “Standing on the tank turret, looking at Saigon city with the brilliant colors of flags, the red of royal poinciana flowers under a sky of blue military uniforms. A sea of people with tears of joy, bewilderedly looking for each other, swaying, dazed in the endless sky… The country was as beautiful as a dream, the mountains and rivers were connected, we tank soldiers returned to our homeland on the joyful day of reunification (Road to the City) ” - those were unforgettable moments.

Poet Ngoc Chan at a meeting with veteran artists.

Later, when he became a journalist, traveled to many places, wrote about people in different positions, poet Ngoc Chan still had many compositions about soldiers. "Soldier's Epilogue" is his first collection of poems, as a tribute to his comrades - those who went through hardships and sacrifices with him on the battlefield. This is also the voice of a soldier who went through war, writing about his comrades and their rear with calm and profound poems:

The night broke into pieces

Share with us some of your guiding light

And so on.

We and the Fire

Noisy in the rainy season artillery

…The Eastern land is dyed red with cellars

Red shirt mixed with earth tones

Tears fall along the Ben Cat road

Mom and me

Share some worries.

(Soldier's Epilogue)

With 6 books including many works from prose to poetry, and more than 20 years of working in journalism, poet Nguyen Ngoc Chan has used his pen to express his feelings for his comrades, and at the same time convey his deep love for his homeland and country.

The army is always a great school.

Painter Nguyen Dinh Thi ( Yen Bai ward) spent 5 years in the army. The years of training in the army sparked his passion for art. At that time, on the way to duty, the young soldier Nguyen Dinh Thi always had a small notebook and a pencil to sketch the soldiers at the post, the old people in the village, and the beautiful scenery of the border area where he was stationed.

Painter Nguyen Dinh Thi on a creative field trip.

Iron discipline is the strength of the army and also the best school for young people. It is an indelible mark in the lives of those who have worn the uniform of soldiers. Therefore, although there are many paintings on different topics, artist Nguyen Dinh Thi still devotes his heart to the image of soldiers.

In his propaganda paintings on the topic of studying and following Ho Chi Minh's morality, painter Nguyen Dinh Thi also associated the image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers". Field trips to military units always brought him a lot of inspiration for his creations. "I was lucky to go to Truong Sa. The soldiers there day and night guard every inch of their homeland, protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland. I also met the children of Lao Cai who are performing their sacred duty at the forefront of the storm and I have included them in my creations" - painter Nguyen Dinh Thi shared.

Painter Nguyen Dinh Thi on a trip to Truong Sa.

Having served in the army for more than 3 years, those years have trained photographer Pham Pa Ri (Gia Hoi commune) to be disciplined. Coming to art as a destiny, when teaching at Nam Bung Secondary and High School, teacher Pa Ri initially only recorded school activities, collaborating with Yen Bai Newspaper (old).

While traveling and learning from veteran photographers and seniors, the Parisian artist gradually matured. Living in a land considered a “gold mine” of photography, outside of class, the art-loving teacher prepared his camera and set out to hunt for beautiful moments of life.

Photographer Pham Pa Ri (far left) on a field trip.

After more than 20 years of pursuing the “play of light”, artist Pham Pa Ri has many memorable memories. “Once, when I went to Cu Vai village, Hanh Phuc commune - where the weather is often gloomy for a long time, that afternoon the sky was bright and sunny. I saw it as a good omen. On the way down the mountain to look for other angles, I came across a beautiful peach blossom branch and farmers preparing the land for the new crop. I immediately captured that moment” - artist Pa Ri recalled.

From that moment, the work "Spring on the Mountain" was born and brought artist Pham Pa Ri a Silver Medal at the 11th International Art Photography Competition held in Vietnam in 2021, Travel photography category.

While veteran entrepreneurs create many material products and jobs for society, artists who once wore military uniforms quietly contribute to life through works of art. Although they create in different fields, what they have in common is the pride of having been Uncle Ho’s soldiers and being able to devote themselves to their passion.

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