August - remembering the General!

August and September – the autumn of revolution – fill the hearts of countless Vietnamese people with emotion as they remember beloved Uncle Ho and General Vo Nguyen Giap, the legendary general, a man of exceptional talent, virtue, and military prowess. We would like to share three short stories about the General, on the occasion of his 112th birthday (August 25, 1911 – August 25, 2023) and on the occasion of Independence Day – the 78th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd.

The first story is about journalist and Colonel Nguyen Khac Tiep, a military reporter who served on the Dien Bien Phu battlefield and later became the Deputy Head of the Current Affairs Editorial Department of the People's Army Newspaper (QĐND). In 2023, he turned 100 years old, with 75 years of experience in the profession. Due to his duties as a reporter, he had the opportunity to meet the General many times. Sometimes it was for an interview, to hear the General's instructions on writing articles and taking photos; other times it was to ask for his opinion on an important commentary for the QĐND newspaper. Each time, the General was always punctual. When the reporter arrived, the General was neatly dressed in his military uniform, a short-sleeved shirt. The General quickly reviewed the article, using red ink to correct it, his handwriting neat and tidy. He always asked, "Have you had anything to eat yet?" And without waiting for an answer, the General kindly offered the reporter a snack. When I left, he saw me off to the yard, giving me detailed instructions: "Remember to drive carefully," "If there's anything I corrected on your paper that you're not happy with, let me know"...

Second story: Colonel Tran Hong, a journalist and photographer, has no fewer than 300 beautiful photos of the General in his work and daily life. Each time, the General would sit down with the journalist, and if a photo wasn't satisfactory, the two would continue "snapping." The General confided to Tran Hong: "Photos taken naturally, without staging, are lively and soulful. If you stage them, they look awkward." The General humorously added: "If you don't capture the perfect moment for an event, just retake the photo; it's okay. Just like President Ho Chi Minh, he would tell everyone to applaud loudly for the journalist filming and taking pictures." President Ho Chi Minh and the General were not only very considerate of journalists but also masters of photojournalism. As a journalist, Tran Hong was proud to be assigned the task of photographing the General, learning many things from him about a master, a great personality in interpersonal relations. In September 2023, 300 precious photographs of General Vo Nguyen Giap will accompany the author on a trip to the Western Hemisphere to organize an exhibition of photographs of the legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap – a hero of the national liberation struggle against oppressive authoritarianism.

Third story: Journalist Phan Than, originally from Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province, worked as a reporter for the Ha Tinh newspaper. After 1975, he moved to the Central Highlands and became a reporter for the Dak Lak newspaper. On the 112th anniversary of General Vo Nguyen Giap's birth, Phan Than wrote in his autobiography "Living a Human Life" as follows: In 1980, General Vo Nguyen Giap, then Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers, visited Dak Lak province. Pham Tai Nguyen, Head of the Vietnam News Agency's Buon Ma Thuot branch, and I (Editorial Secretary of the Dak Lak newspaper) were assigned to photograph and report on the General's trip. Neither of us had a car; times were tough. We asked the Provincial Party Committee Office for permission, but were refused, saying, "You don't meet the criteria (!)". We were extremely worried and were planning to hitch a ride to the location. Suddenly, we heard a "click," and the General's car pulled up right beside us. The General's warm voice gently asked, "Which agency are you two from?" Phan Than replied, “Yes, sir, I work at the Dak Lak Newspaper. This gentleman (Pham Tai Nguyen) is the head of the Vietnam News Agency branch.” The General asked, “So, do you have a car yet?” I replied, “No, sir.” The General smiled kindly, “Then get in my car, let’s go together.” Everyone who heard and witnessed this was astonished. The two journalists felt like they had struck gold and happily asked permission to get into the car. After the trip with the General, the two journalists asked to say goodbye. The General called them back to take a commemorative photo with him. That photo is still kept by journalist Phan Than as a treasure of his life. The General happily said, “Wishing the host and the journalists’ families good health and happiness.” The General smiled brightly, a sharing, kind smile, “It’s late now, let’s go straight home…”

In the autumn of the revolution, I fondly recall countless memories of my life. The more I think, the more I remember General Vo Nguyen Giap – the outstanding disciple of President Ho Chi Minh, a general of the people who was so humble, so compassionate, and so full of love.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/thang-tam-nho-dai-tuong-111801.html