The military UAZ vehicle carrying us to the 174th Regiment (316th Division, Military Region 2) was traveling on National Highway 70 between Đoan Hùng and Yên Bái when we encountered a container truck that had broken down in the middle of the road. The entire length of the massive, bulky vehicle was stuck, blocking the entire road and forcing all cars going in either direction to stop on both sides. It was around 3:30 PM.

Although we were only about ten kilometers from the unit, this was the only road available, so the car had to stop and wait because there was no alternative route. Meanwhile, the weather was mildly sunny and the sky was clear—ideal conditions for taking some great outdoor photos. The traffic jam on both sides was getting worse; if we waited here any longer, the road wouldn't clear until evening.

Illustration photo: qdnd.vn

At that time, Lieutenant Colonel Le Xuan Truong, an officer from the Press and Information Department (Propaganda Department, General Political Department) and head of the delegation, told me: "You should immediately call the unit and ask them to bring motorbikes to pick us up so we can arrive in time for the assignment. We shouldn't delay because the soldiers in the unit are waiting for us to take photos, while the delegation has to continue to Lao Cai province early tomorrow morning to work according to the established schedule."

I took out my phone, but there was absolutely no Vinaphone signal at that time. I tried Mr. Truong's phone, but there was no Viettel signal either. Mr. Nguyen Trong Duc, a reporter from the Vietnam News Agency, using a Mobifone phone, also had no signal at all. Even Mr. Pham Yen's S-phone, a reporter from Tien Phong Newspaper, couldn't make a call. Four mobile phones suddenly became... useless in this mountainous area.

Time passed quietly, and we were all restless with anticipation. While we were anxiously waiting, a woman in her 40s approached me and said softly, "Soldier, my house has a landline phone, it's nearby. Come in and make the call!" I quickly followed her home and dialed the Political Commissar of Regiment 174. About ten minutes later, the unit's UAZ vehicle arrived on the other side of the road. I was about to pay the landlady for the phone call when she said, "No, it's nothing. Military matters are much more urgent; you should leave immediately to be on time."

Leaving the driver and the car behind, my colleagues and I boarded a vehicle belonging to the 174th Regiment to continue our journey. Upon arriving at the unit, we immediately began our work. Fortunately, the weather was still very nice at that time, ideal for taking photos.

Our week-long business trip to the northwestern provinces flew by quickly. On the way back, Mr. Pham Yen, in his late 50s and having spent almost his entire life as a photographer, confided: "I used to be a soldier in the southeastern region. It's been over thirty years since I left the military, and now that I've returned to some of the Army units, I'm truly moved by the soldier's spirit, which remains the same regardless of the era: solemn yet simple; warm, calm, and disciplined, yet also very cheerful and carefree."

From then on, every time I had the opportunity to pass through the But Pass area on National Highway 70, now located in Bang Luan commune, Phu Tho province, I would remember the woman who so thoughtfully helped me establish contact with the officers of Regiment 174 at the right time, ensuring that the reporting team did not miss their work schedule. I blamed myself for being a little hasty and thoughtless for not asking her name, but I am always grateful for the selfless and pure heart of this woman from the central highlands of our homeland.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/tam-long-nguoi-phu-nu-dat-to-1042092