The unique cultural characteristics of the Kinh Bac region have permeated the lives and thoughts of countless generations of cadres, lecturers, students, staff, and soldiers. It is also from this land, this school, that many young men and women have been fortunate enough to find love through the traditional Quan Ho folk singing. And the story below is one such beautiful love story.

Major Vu Van Quoc, Assistant to the Propaganda Department, Political Office, Political Officer Training School, and I are not only comrades and fellow soldiers but also close friends. We've been close since our time as cadets in the platoon-level political officer training program, from 2008 to 2013. Therefore, we discuss and share many things in life and work, big or small, with utmost frankness and sincerity.

After many years of working together, in early August 2025, I temporarily parted ways with Quoc to fulfill my assigned duties as directed by the organization. The evening before my departure, we met to chat. During that friendly meeting, I asked Quoc about his most memorable experience since enlisting. Quoc said, "There are many things to tell, but perhaps the camping trip at Bac Ninh Teacher Training College is an unforgettable memory," Major Vu Van Quoc recounted.

First Lieutenant Vu Van Quoc and Tran Thi Kim Oanh, March 2017.

It was in March 2016, when I was a Lieutenant, Political Officer of Company 4, Battalion 3, Political Officer Training School, in the chilly spring air, I, along with my fellow officers and members of the Political Officer Training School, participated in a camp celebrating the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (March 26, 1931/March 26, 2016) at Bac Ninh College of Education. On the night of March 25th, continuing the spirit of the campfire program, a few of us took our guitars and joined in a cultural exchange with officers and members of other units. The music and singing, combined with the sparkling lights of LEDs and flashing lights, created an incredibly lively and warm atmosphere.

During that cultural exchange event, I happened to meet a fellow Youth Union member. We had met a few times before during our collaboration on Youth Union activities and youth movements between the Youth Union Branch of Battalion 3 (where I was the Secretary) and the Bac Ninh Provincial Student Volunteer Association (she was a female member). Because almost 10 years had passed, I honestly couldn't remember her name, only that she was a friendly female student with shoulder-length hair, glasses, and an oval face. After a while of chatting, I learned that she lived in the school's dormitory. In our lengthy conversation, she asked me, "Where are you guys sleeping tonight? Do you have blankets and sheets?" I smiled and replied, "Today, I and some comrades from the Youth Union are assigned to guard the camp. As for blankets and sheets, don't worry, we're soldiers, what's there to worry about?" She continued, "Oh, don't be careless, it'll get cold at night. Let me quickly run upstairs to get my blanket so you guys can sleep warmly. I'll sleep with my friend." At that moment, I felt a little embarrassed and didn't dare refuse her kind offer for fear of upsetting her, so I just smiled and invited her to sing with us to end the conversation about the blanket.

  Late at night, when the singing and music had faded, the camp became eerily quiet, with only the chirping of crickets and the buzzing of mosquitoes. Just as we were about to lie down, a familiar figure, clutching a super-light, pale pink blanket, stood outside the camp gate and softly said, “I brought the blankets down, don’t worry, sleep well!” As soon as I took the blanket, she quickly turned away, her shuffling footsteps fading into the distance, then disappearing into the silent night. Before I could even enter the camp, my comrades burst into laughter and teased, “You’re quite something! In just one day you’ve managed to get warm blankets for us – truly admirable!” I mumbled, “Ah… it’s her blanket.” Then, we exchanged a few random words and drifted off to sleep together.

  As usual, the next morning we woke up very early to prepare and participate in the inter-camp exchange activities. After neatly folding the blanket, I suddenly remembered that I hadn't gotten the girl's phone number the night before and hadn't had time to ask which room she was in so I could return it. While I was wondering what to do, I suddenly saw a girl in a youth union uniform hurrying towards the dormitory. I called out to her and ran over to ask. That girl's name was Tran Thi Kim Oanh, then a final-year student at Bac Ninh College of Education. After hearing my description, Oanh immediately recognized the person who lent us the blanket and happily took me to her room to return the super-light pink blanket. After that, I thanked them both and went down to the camp to immerse myself in the lively, enthusiastic activities, full of the spirit and aspirations of youth to contribute and grow.

  The evening of March 26th holds one of the most beautiful memories of my youth. After a long day of participating in many activities, my teammates and I dismantled our camp to march back to our unit. Although quite tired, we chatted happily while we worked. While cleaning up, I suddenly saw Oanh pushing her red Wave motorbike out of the school gate. I quickly ran over and said, "Thank you so much for what you did this morning." Oanh replied, "It's nothing, it was just a small thing." Oanh's gentle voice and smile made me feel flustered. I asked further, "Is it far from here to your house?" Oanh answered, "About 12-13 km." "Ah... that's quite far. You should go home before it gets dark, be careful on your way back," I added. After that, I quickly asked for Oanh's phone number and returned to continue working with my teammates.

  That night, after finishing all my work, as usual, I checked on the sleeping quarters and returned to my room. Sitting in front of my computer, Oanh's smile seemed to linger in my mind. Holding my phone, I hesitated for a long time. After a period of internal struggle, I decided to text Oanh: "It's late, you must be asleep by now? I'm Quoc, the one you took to return the blanket this morning." The message was sent, but my eyes remained fixed on the phone on my desk, a strange feeling of anticipation and nervousness filling my chest. A few minutes later, I saw a notification, and it was indeed Oanh: "I'm not asleep yet, you're sleeping late too?" And so, the exchange of questions and conversations gradually became a daily bedtime routine for both of us without us even realizing it.

  After some time talking, finding we shared a similar soul, I decided to meet Oanh at Ho Doi Lake, in Nguyen Phi Y Lan Park, on both sides of Ly Thai To Street – a familiar place for many students who had studied and trained at the Ancient Citadel. During that meeting, we reminisced about the story of "The Lieutenant Returning the Blanket" and considered it a fortunate coincidence. Our love story began to blossom from there, eventually bearing fruit.

  After listening to Quoc's very honest and witty confessions, I felt both intrigued and surprised. Initially, I imagined Quoc would "fall in love" with the owner of the super-light pink blanket. Unexpectedly, the young lieutenant ended up getting involved with another female student who acted as his "guide."

  From a young student she once was, Tran Thi Kim Oanh has now become the strong support system for Major Vu Van Quoc, enabling him to continue pursuing his dream of contributing and training at the beloved Political Officer Training School.

  Although the school is now more spacious and impressive, the memories of Bac Ninh Ancient Citadel, of the days spent trudging tirelessly across the high points of Trung Son and Tien Son to study tactics, and especially of the unexpected love affair, remain deeply etched in my mind. From the land of Kinh Bac, steeped in meaning and affection, to the land of Doai, shrouded in white clouds, every step was a step filled with love.

  NGO DAT

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/ky-su/trung-uy-tra-chan-841909