From that deeply humane policy, up to now, after more than 15 years, voluntary blood donation has become a regular and practical activity in the Army, a beautiful symbol of comradeship and patriotism, contributing to beautifying the image and noble qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the hearts of the people.

Command from the heart

Early in the morning of an early summer day in 2025, in the campus of Military Hospital 103 (Military Medical Academy), long lines of officers, students, and soldiers waited for their turn to donate blood. For Sergeant Nguyen Tuan Anh, a final-year student of the Military Medical Academy, this was the 6th time he donated blood. With eyes full of pride, Tuan Anh shared: “The first time I donated blood was 4 years ago. I was so happy and proud that my blood could save a patient's life. Since then, I have registered to donate blood 1 to 2 times every year.”

In Military Region 9, the image of young soldiers lining up to donate blood after training has become familiar. Lieutenant Colonel Huynh Truong Xuyen, Secretary of the Youth Union of Regiment 20, Division 330, said: "When we received the notice that the unit organized a blood donation, no one hesitated. Many comrades who had just returned from a field trip still registered. There was a comrade who donated blood for the 12th time but still said if needed, I am still ready."

Senior Lieutenant General Le Quang Minh, Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army, launched the Voluntary Blood Donation Movement among young people in the entire army in 2025.

At Military Hospital 354 (General Department of Logistics and Engineering), Lieutenant Colonel Le Thi Hue , an employee of the Pharmacy Department, is affectionately called "the mobile blood bank" by many hospital staff and doctors. A small woman, but with a compassionate heart and a steadfast heart, she has donated blood 94 times to give life.

Lieutenant Colonel Le Thi Hue confided: "The first time I donated blood, I was a bit worried, but when I knew that my blood units contributed to helping my comrades and compatriots fight for their lives and overcome the critical period, I felt an indescribable joy. Gradually, donating blood became a habit. Every time I heard about a campaign, I signed up. Sometimes I went alone, sometimes I invited my husband or comrades to go with me. Many people asked: "You donated so much, aren't you afraid it will affect your health?" I just smiled: "The blood given will be born again. But if someone dies due to anemia, they will never come back"!

Lecturers and students of the Naval Academy participate in voluntary blood donation in 2025.

Over the past 15 years, blood donation has not only been a widespread movement throughout the army but also a manifestation of the spirit of readiness for comrades and compatriots of each officer and soldier. Many lives have been revived, many lives have been filled with happiness thanks to donated blood. Like the story of a patient with a serious illness who had to receive blood transfusions for almost his entire life, treated at Military Hospital 175, underwent dozens of surgeries, and received a total of more than 100 liters of blood during his journey to fight the disease. Each drop of blood is a priceless gift, the heart of soldiers that the patient has never met...

From emulation movement to cultural beauty in the Army

Implementing Directive No. 39/CT-BQP, up to now, the entire army has organized thousands of voluntary blood donation campaigns, collecting hundreds of thousands of safe blood units, promptly serving the emergency and treatment of wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, soldiers and people. Many creative models have been born, typically "Living Blood Bank", "Humanitarian Blood Donation Festival", "Vietnam People's Army Red Week", "Red Drops of Gratitude", "Pink Spring Festival"... have been effectively maintained.

Each program is not only an opportunity for officers and soldiers to show their compassion, but also a festival of comradeship and patriotism, spreading the spirit of "every drop of blood given - a life left behind". In many units, the voluntary blood donation movement has become a competitive criterion, a part of building a new military cultural environment. Young soldiers, whether on the front lines of the border or on remote islands, are always ready to donate blood in emergency situations.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met and commended outstanding voluntary blood donors nationwide in 2024.

Not only in hospitals, the blood donation movement has also spread strongly in units. Many units maintain the model of "Living Blood Bank", ready to mobilize in case of natural disasters, accidents or rescue missions... Many "living blood banks" have been established in units, ready to donate blood urgently, contributing to the timely treatment of comrades and people in remote areas.

Voluntary blood donation has become a cultural beauty, a part of the spiritual life of soldiers. Because, "giving is forever". From the blood donation movement, thousands of typical examples have appeared. There are comrades who have donated blood more than 30 times, considering donating blood to save lives as a soldier's duty. There are comrades who, while performing their duties, also participate in donating blood to rescue traffic accident victims on the march... Not only having humanitarian significance, the voluntary blood donation movement also contributes to strengthening the relationship of solidarity between the army and the people, consolidating the people's trust in the Army.

The 5G Infectious Diseases Field Hospital (Military Medical Academy) ensures timely blood and blood products to treat Covid-19 patients, 2021.

In many voluntary blood donation campaigns launched by the Ministry of National Defense, the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers lining up to donate blood has become a symbol of compassion, civic responsibility, and love for humanity. With the results achieved over the past 15 years, the Blood Donation Movement in the Army has been recognized and highly appreciated by the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation, the Ministry of Health and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, and many groups and individuals have been commended and rewarded.

Affirming humanistic values, continuing the mission of donating blood to save lives

According to statistics from the Military Medical Department (General Department of Logistics and Engineering), after more than 15 years of implementing Directive No. 39/CT-BQP, the entire army has received more than 500,000 units of blood, converted to nearly 600,000 standard units; attracting nearly 230,000 officers and soldiers to participate... Each year, tens of thousands of units of blood are donated by officers and soldiers, making an important contribution to ensuring emergency blood and treatment for soldiers and people.

Lieutenant General Tran Minh Duc, Director of the General Department of Logistics and Technology, visited and encouraged patients assigned to use blood at Military Hospital 354.

Under the direction of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army and the advice of the Military Medical Department, the voluntary blood donation movement in the entire army has been organized more and more systematically, scientifically and safely. Many blood donation campaigns combined with mass mobilization have been organized in remote, isolated and island areas. Voluntary blood donation in the Army has become a widespread and sustainable movement with strong influence, clearly demonstrating the nature and fine traditions of Uncle Ho's soldiers. The results achieved are vivid evidence of the comradeship and patriotism of soldiers in peacetime.

Blood donation has become a “journey of the heart”, a bond connecting soldiers with the people, deeply demonstrating the “selfless service to the people” quality of the Vietnam People’s Army. As Colonel Nguyen Nhu Thanh, Deputy Head of the Medical Department, Military Region 5, shared: “None of us thought we were doing anything great. Blood donation is simply sharing life. From those simple actions, the image of Uncle Ho’s soldiers becomes even brighter in everyday life.

Military Hospital 103 (Military Medical Academy) and Military School of Military Region 2 jointly organized the 2025 Voluntary Blood Donation Festival.

The drops of blood donated by soldiers not only save the lives of their comrades and compatriots, but also foster trust, spread the spirit of humanity, and bond the flesh and blood of the army and the people. In remote border areas, on outpost islands or in frontline military hospitals, the act of donating blood to save lives has become a beautiful symbol of the spirit of "serving the people". Therefore, the Voluntary Blood Donation Movement in the entire army not only has humanitarian value but also has profound political, social and educational significance, contributing to building the Vietnam People's Army as "revolutionary, disciplined, elite, modern".

The leaders of the Military Medical Department affirmed that in the new period, facing the increasingly high demands of military medical work and the task of ensuring soldiers' health, the Voluntary Blood Donation Movement in the Army needs to continue to be promoted, innovated and developed more sustainably; not just stopping at the movement, but being an important part of the strategy to ensure sustainable health of the Vietnam People's Army.

Accordingly, Party committees, commanders, political agencies at all levels, and military medical units need to consider blood donation as a regular task, associated with the Emulation Movement for Victory, the Campaign "Promoting tradition, dedicating talent, worthy of Uncle Ho's soldiers". Strengthen extensive propaganda so that each officer and soldier clearly understands the humanitarian meaning, voluntarily participates in periodic, safe, and scientific blood donation.

Blood and blood products preparation at the Blood Transfusion Department, 108 Central Military Hospital.

Agencies and units develop and replicate the model of “Living Blood Bank”. Organize a mobile reserve blood donation force, connect blood data of the entire army, apply information technology in coordinating, receiving and using blood, ensuring readiness, speed, safety and efficiency.

Improve the capacity of the military medical system at all levels, focus on investing in modern equipment, improve the capacity to receive, preserve, test, and transfuse blood; ensure that donated blood is used for the right purpose, to the right person, at the right time. Promote the core role of the Army in national blood donation programs; contribute to spreading the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers as humane, responsible, and loyal.

The voluntary blood donation movement in the Army is a typical bright spot in the mass mobilization work, in building the image of revolutionary soldiers in the new era. Continuing that journey, every officer and soldier of the Army always keeps in mind the simple but sacred message: "One drop of blood given - One life left behind".  

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/phong-trao-hien-mau-tinh-nguyen-hanh-trinh-nhan-ai-cua-bo-doi-cu-ho-899634