August - remember the general!

August and September - the revolutionary autumn, in the hearts of many Vietnamese people, everyone is filled with emotion remembering beloved Uncle Ho, remembering General Vo Nguyen Giap, the legendary general, talented - virtuous - perfect in both literature and martial arts. Let me repeat 3 short stories about the General, on the occasion of the 112th anniversary of the General's birthday (August 25, 1911 - August 25, 2023) and on the occasion of Independence Day - 78 years of August Revolution, National Day September 2.

The first story is by journalist, Colonel Nguyen Khac Tiep, a military reporter who worked on the Dien Bien Phu battlefield, later Deputy Head of the News Editorial Department of the People's Army Newspaper (QĐND). In 2023, he turned 100 years old, with 75 years of experience. Due to his duties, during his career as a reporter, he had the opportunity to meet the General many times. Sometimes he met to conduct an interview, listen to the General's instructions on writing articles and taking photos; sometimes he met to ask for his opinion on an important commentary article of the QĐND newspaper. Every time he met the General, he was always punctual, when the reporter arrived, the General was already neatly dressed in his military uniform and short-sleeved shirt. The General quickly read the article, used a red ink pen to edit, and wrote neatly. The General always asked: "Have you had time to eat anything yet?" And without waiting for an answer, the General kindly took a piece of cake and offered it to the journalist to fill his stomach. When he returned, he saw me off at the yard and carefully instructed me: "Remember to drive carefully", "If there is any part of my correction that you are not satisfied with, please discuss it again"...

Second story: Colonel, journalist, and photographer Tran Hong has no less than 300 beautiful photos of the General in his work and daily life. Every time the photo was taken, the General sat down with the journalist, and if the photo was not satisfactory, the teacher and student continued to "shoot". The General confided to Tran Hong: "All photos taken naturally, without arrangement, are lively and soulful. When you arrange them, they are awkward". The General humorously added: "If there is an event that is not captured in the typical moment, take another photo, it's okay. Just like Uncle Ho, he called everyone to clap loudly for the journalist to film and take photos". Uncle Ho and the General were not only very considerate of the reporter but were also master press photographers. As a reporter, Tran Hong was proud to be assigned to take photos of the General, learning from the General many things about a master, a great personality in dealing with people. In September 2023, 300 precious photos of the General will travel with the author to the Western Hemisphere to organize a photo exhibition of the legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap - the hero of the national liberation struggle against oppressive authoritarianism.

Third story: Journalist Phan Than, from Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh, a reporter for Ha Tinh newspaper, after 1975 moved to the Central Highlands, working as a reporter for Dak Lak newspaper. On the occasion of the 112th anniversary of the General's birthday, 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, came to work in Dak Lak province. Mr. Pham Tai Nguyen, Head of the VNA branch in Buon Me Thuot and I (Secretary of the Dak Lak Newspaper Editorial Board) were assigned to take photos and report on the General's trip. Neither of us had a car, it was very difficult at that time, we asked the Provincial Party Committee Office but were refused, saying "you guys don't have the qualifications (!)". The two brothers were worried, thinking of finding an empty car to hitchhike to the base. Suddenly, we heard a "shush" sound, the General's car stopped right next to us, the General's warm voice gently said: "Which agency are you two from?". Phan Than replied: “Yes sir, I am from Dak Lak Newspaper. This guy (Pham Tai Nguyen) is the Head of VNA branch”. The General asked: “So do you have a car yet?”. I replied: “No.” The General smiled kindly: “Then get in my car, we will go together.” Everyone who heard and witnessed it was surprised. The two journalists seemed to have found gold, happily asking for permission to get in the car. After the trip with the General, the two journalists asked permission to say goodbye to the General, the General called the two journalists to take a souvenir photo with the General. That photo is still kept by reporter Phan Than as a treasure of his life. The General happily said: “I wish the host and the journalist’s family good health and happiness.” The General smiled brightly, a sharing, kind smile: “It’s late now, let’s go straight home”…

Revolutionary autumn, I feel anxious thinking about so many memories of my life. The more I think, the more I miss General Vo Nguyen Giap - an excellent student of Uncle Ho, a general of the people, very simple, full of compassion and love.

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