Perhaps every farewell leaves a quiet void in the heart of those left behind. The day her son left to join the army was also the day she felt an indescribable mix of emotions: "Both joy and worry." But deep down, she still believed that her son would be strong and capable enough to endure the discipline, hardship, and even danger of military training. For her, the "waiting season" wasn't just about waiting for news, but about waiting for the day she would see her son return safe, healthy, and mature.

The family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Nham (Dong Bang commune, Hung Yen province) visits their son who is studying at the Army Officer School 1.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nham (Dong Bang commune, Hung Yen province), a teacher whose child is a second-year student at the Army Officer School 1, emotionally shared: “The dream of wearing a military uniform is not just my child's dream, but I myself also love the green color of the military uniform and have wanted my child to join the Army since he was little. When we heard the news that he passed the entrance exam to the Army Officer School 1, the whole family was very proud.”

The joy of her son's successful enlistment quickly mingled with the constant worry of a mother whose child is serving in the military. Mrs. Nham recounted: "I was happy that my son had fulfilled his dream, but I was also worried because I knew that the military environment would be very difficult, very different from being at home with his parents."

The first three months of basic training, the first few months in the military, are the longest waiting period for a mother on the home front. “That was a very difficult time for me. When my son went to join the army, the house became so quiet. Every meal, every evening, seeing the table missing someone meant tears would fall. My biggest worry was not knowing how he was eating, sleeping enough, or adapting to the discipline,” she recounted tearfully. Unable to call frequently, the longing became a silent habit: looking at old photos, telling stories about her son's childhood to relatives, or simply thinking about the moment he would return after his training.

After nearly two years of studying and training in the Army, what made the mother most proud wasn't the certificates of merit, but the change in her son. "Before, he was lazy about waking up early and addicted to video games, but now he knows how to mow the lawn, plant vegetables, clean neatly, and is much more self-disciplined and mature. Seeing him grow up like this makes me feel much more at ease," Mrs. Nham said, her eyes filled with joy and pride.

For mothers like Mrs. Nham, waiting is not a burden, but a part of the journey of motherhood, a journey filled with unwavering faith and unconditional love.

In a small apartment, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoa (Thanh Tri commune, Hanoi ), a high school teacher and wife of an army officer, has endured 13 years of waiting. Thirteen years of eating meals alone, celebrating Tet without her husband, and spending long nights cradling her child while the monsoon winds blew outside, filled with longing. But those were also 13 years of faith and pride in her military husband.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoa with her husband, two daughters, and a nephew.

When asked about her husband's first long business trip, Mrs. Hoa recalled fondly: "The first time he went on a long business trip was all the way to the South, and we already had our first daughter at that time. Being away from my husband for months felt so long. I felt sorry for him, for our daughter, and for myself. But I always tried to control my emotions, telling myself that I and our daughter would be a strong support system so he could focus on his work."

During the years her husband was away, Mrs. Hoa's life wasn't just about teaching in class; it was also about raising her children, caring for her elderly parents, and ensuring they had proper meals and sleep in a home without a breadwinner. But the biggest challenge for her wasn't about making ends meet, but about the trust, love, and understanding between her and her husband: "Only when I had faith in myself and my husband did I have the strength to overcome those long, tiring nights. That faith helped me stay strong so he could focus on his duties."

There were nights when the weather changed unexpectedly, and both mother and daughter fell ill. In their small kitchen, the meal consisted only of the two of them, and tears often fell unnoticed. "I also felt very lonely at times, but I chose to learn to be grateful each day, to learn to smile, because I knew I wasn't alone. Family is the greatest motivation for me to keep going," Mrs. Hoa confided.

When asked about the saying "A soldier's wife is a soldier without a rank," Mrs. Hoa laughed and said, "It's true that we don't wear military uniforms, but we still have to cultivate resilience in our hometowns. We endure the sun and rain, learn how to behave, raise children, and shoulder family responsibilities so that our husbands can focus on training. I believe that they themselves are always proud to have 'comrades' like us in their lives."

Looking back on that journey, what makes Mrs. Hoa most proud is the small family she and her husband have built together, with two obedient, studious, and understanding daughters. It remains a loving home, even without a man.

Regardless of their role—mother or wife—these women on the home front never consider their "waiting season" wasted. For them, it's a source of pride. Pride in themselves for being strong enough to support the home front, and pride in having sons and husbands serving in the military, contributing to maintaining peace for the nation. They understand and empathize with those on the front lines, and they also hope to receive understanding and appreciation from those men. Sometimes, a bouquet of flowers, a small gift, or just a word of encouragement on Vietnamese Women's Day, October 20th, is enough to make them feel happier with their lives and their silent sacrifices.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/nhung-nguoi-giu-lua-noi-hau-phuong-885413