Mother Phuong's heart...

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, with its countless worries and anxieties, there are still people who quietly sow love and ignite hope through simple yet noble actions. Major Nguyen Thi Tuyet Phuong, a non-commissioned officer at Warehouse 303 (Logistics and Technical Department of Military Region 9), is one such person.

Though not her biological child, she readily embraced them with open arms; though not related by blood, she loved and cared for them as if they were her own. She raised two orphaned children after the Covid-19 pandemic with all the heart of a mother and the spirit and responsibility of a soldier in peacetime.
The decision stems from compassion.

One morning in early June, we visited the home of Major Nguyen Thi Tuyet Phuong. Her house is nestled deep in a quiet alley in Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City. Stepping through the gate, we immediately felt the presence of a loving home. The house had no sign, no large gate, just a few small, pretty flower pots on the windowsill, children's sandals neatly arranged on the doorstep, and inside, two children were happily playing among a pile of toys in the middle of the house. We were greeted by Ms. Phuong – the “special” mother of Thai Nguyen Gia Huy (born in 2017) and Thai Nguyen Khac Huy Hoang (born in 2019) – two children orphaned by the Covid-19 pandemic. Looking at the two children playing with affectionate eyes, and in a gentle voice full of maternal love, Ms. Phuong told us about her journey of raising Huy and Hoang.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Phuong with her two nephews, Gia Huy and Huy Hoang.

The story begins on a day at the end of 2021, when the Covid-19 pandemic was raging everywhere, bringing grief to countless families. Amidst the pandemic, Ms. Phuong's close friend – a single mother living in Tan Loi commune, Tinh Bien district, An Giang province – tragically passed away, leaving behind five young children. The oldest, only 15 years old, had to drop out of school before reaching adulthood and shoulder the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings along with her elderly grandparents.

Upon hearing the tragic news, Ms. Phuong was devastated. She grieved for her friend, a life of hard work, who had passed away so suddenly. But what truly broke her heart was the thought of the children, barely old enough to grow up, having to face such a profound loss. The two youngest, Gia Huy and Huy Hoang, were still too young to fully comprehend the pain they were enduring. “At that time, I was caring for my son who had been in a traffic accident, and also looking after my elderly parents amidst the pandemic. But when I thought of the children, my heart felt like it was being squeezed,” Ms. Phuong recounted.

Overcoming her initial hesitation, she requested permission from her unit to return to her friend's hometown, carrying within her a deeply troubled decision. She understood that adopting two children who were not related to her by blood would entail many difficulties, from legal procedures and economic conditions to mental pressure. However, looking at the children, she asked herself, almost as if confirming: If not me, then who?

Back home, she discussed adopting the two children with her husband—a retired army officer. Initially hesitant, he eventually supported her decision and devotion. Together, they completed the necessary procedures and adopted the two youngest of their deceased friend's five children, Gia Huy and Huy Hoang. "We're not rich, but our hearts are full," she said. And so began the journey of a soldier's second motherhood—a journey without blood ties, without birth certificates, only bound together by genuine love.

Joy in a small house

Since the two children came to live with them, Ms. Phuong's small home has become more vibrant and lively. Everyday routines were disrupted, but replaced by the sound of children's laughter. Initially, both Ms. Phuong and her children faced considerable difficulties adjusting to their new life. The two young children were not yet used to calling her "mom" and often woke up crying at night because they missed their biological mother. But with patience and unconditional love, Ms. Phuong gradually helped her children stabilize emotionally and integrate into the family.

The Women's Association of the Logistics and Technical Department of Military Region 9 visited and presented gifts to Major Nguyen Thi Tuyet Phuong (standing in the middle) and her two children, Gia Huy and Huy Hoang.

Every morning, she wakes up early to cook, get dressed, and take her children to school; in the afternoon, she diligently helps them with their homework, prepares meals, and ensures they get enough sleep. Some nights, both children have a fever, and she stays up all night caring for them. There are times when she's so exhausted from work at the unit, coupled with the pressure of raising children, that she can only silently wipe away tears in the kitchen. But then, the innocent "Mommy!" from her children gives her the strength to keep going. "I've never considered this a sacrifice. To me, being called 'Mommy' by my children is something sacred," she smiles, her eyes shining with happiness.

Ms. Phuong's family now has three sons. Her eldest son has graduated from university and is currently working at a pharmacy in Can Tho. The family's main income comes from Ms. Phuong's military salary and her husband's pension. Although the income isn't high, she has never let her children lack anything. Gia Huy, her second son, is now in third grade. He is active, polite, and making good progress in his studies. Last summer, noticing his love for English, she enrolled him in extra classes, even though the cost was quite high compared to the family's income. Her youngest son, Huy Hoang, is currently attending kindergarten, with tuition fees exceeding 1 million VND per month. Despite always having to carefully manage family expenses, Ms. Phuong has never complained. She shared: "I want my children to live happily and receive a proper education."

Not only is she an exemplary mother at home, but Ms. Phuong is also loved by her colleagues at Warehouse 303, Logistics and Technical Department of Military Region 9, for her dedication and responsibility in her work. Regardless of her position, she always excels in all tasks, becoming a role model of responsibility and dedication. Thanks to her tireless efforts, for many years, Ms. Phuong has been recognized as an "Advanced Soldier" and an "Outstanding Female Member". In particular, in 2024, she was honored to receive the title of "Outstanding Soldier at the grassroots level" from the head of the Logistics and Technical Department.

Major Nguyen Thi Tuyet Phuong, a non-commissioned officer, performs the duties of preserving, maintaining, and repairing weapons at Warehouse 303, Logistics and Technical Department of Military Region 9.

Not only is she outstanding at work, but her act of adopting two children has earned her the admiration of many colleagues and become a source of inspiration throughout the organization. In early 2021, before the Vietnam Women's Union's "Godmother" program was officially launched, Ms. Phuong quietly pioneered this with the love of a mother. Not everyone can love other people's children as if they were their own, and not everyone is willing to take in young children while facing their own many responsibilities. But for Ms. Phuong, a woman with a compassionate heart, it was simply the right thing to do. Without waiting for policies or support, she quietly cared for and raised the children with all her sincere love. This humane act touched the hearts of many members of the Women's Union in the agency, becoming a powerful motivation for the "Godmother" program to spread and achieve real effectiveness.

The touching story of Ms. Phuong's journey into motherhood for the second time, not out of duty but out of love, is a beautiful testament to the noble qualities of a woman wearing the uniform of the Ho Chi Minh Army. In her small house at the end of a peaceful alley, she is quietly writing a love song about humanity, about a heart that knows how to share and love unconditionally. It is not just a story about a warm home, but also a vivid symbol of love spreading from the heart that guides, where soldiers write silent victories in peacetime.

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-16/trai-tim-me-phuong-834854