Proud of the Đồng Khởi Uprising in Ben Tre

* Professor Shimizu Masaaki - Head of the Vietnamese Department, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Osaka University - recipient of the title "Honorary Citizen of the Uprising": "Cooperation for the development and sustainable growth of Ben Tre ".

Professor Shimizu Masaaki at the ceremony.

Professor Shimizu Masaaki shared that he was very surprised, moved, and honored to be awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the Uprising." The professor expressed his sincere gratitude to the provincial leaders and the people of Ben Tre province for their affection shown to him and other individuals awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the Uprising." According to Professor Shimizu Masaaki, this title is very meaningful to the context and history of Ben Tre, both in the past and present.

Professor Shimizu Masaaki expressed that, regardless of the country or field he works in, he has always felt a strong connection to Ben Tre. “In Ben Tre, we receive the active attention and support of leaders at all levels, and the enthusiastic and responsible cooperation of the people in building, maintaining, and developing community-oriented activities for the province's development. This valuable cooperation is possible because we all understand the meaning of these activities, which are all for the ‘development’ and ‘sustainable development’ of Ben Tre,” said Professor Shimizu Masaaki.

Professor Shimizu Masaaki recounted that from his first visit to Ben Tre in 1993, he gradually became attached to the land and people there because of its unique cultural values. These were the attractions that motivated him to explore and experience life with the people of the Coconut Land, to understand and together build a cultural bridge, contributing to the friendship between Japan and Vietnam in general, and Japan and Ben Tre in particular. Today, Ben Tre province has bestowed upon him the great honor of becoming an Honorary Citizen of the Dong Khoi Uprising. He recognizes that in the future, he will need to do even more to promote and introduce Ben Tre's culture to the world .

* Mr. Pham Huu Thua - Former Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union - Former Chairman of the Association of Former Youth Volunteers of Ben Tre Province - Awarded the title "Outstanding Citizen of the Dong Khoi Uprising": "As long as I live, I will continue to contribute."

Mr. Pham Huu Thua shared his joy on the day he received the title of Outstanding Citizen of the Dong Khoi Uprising.

Mr. Pham Huu Thua is affectionately called "Uncle Hai Thua" by the younger generation and everyone else. He shared that he came from the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, where he was trained and nurtured with a sense of responsibility, enthusiasm, and determination to dedicate himself to the revolutionary cause. From his early days participating in Youth Union work during the resistance war, to being entrusted with the important responsibility of Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, and later continuing to work with the Ben Tre Provincial Association of Former Youth Volunteers, until his retirement, he always told himself: No matter what position I hold, I must live and work in a way that is worthy of the glorious tradition of my homeland, Dong Khoi.

Mr. Pham Huu Thua confided that, although he has retired, he continues to participate in Party activities at the Provincial Youth Union branch, where he has the opportunity to be close to, share with, and inspire the younger generation. He always keeps in mind: "As long as I live, I will continue to contribute." Upon receiving the title of "Outstanding Citizen of Dong Khoi," he was deeply moved and proud. For him, this is not only a personal honor but also a shared pride of those who have dedicated their youth and lives to the heroic homeland of Dong Khoi.

With deep emotion, Mr. Pham Huu Thua expressed his profound gratitude to the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Council, the Provincial People's Committee, the Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and especially the Provincial Youth Union and the Association of Former Youth Volunteers of Ben Tre Province for their constant support, encouragement, and recognition of his contributions throughout his career. According to him, this is not only recognition but also a great responsibility. "I promise to continue to uphold the spirit of the Dong Khoi movement, to be a shining example in all activities, and to continuously spread the positive values ​​of the Dong Khoi revolutionary movement to the younger generation today and in the future," Mr. Nguyen Huu Thua affirmed.

* Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, Lam Nhu Quynh: “Nurturing aspirations for the younger generation, leading the way in innovation and creativity, contributing to Ben Tre's strong development in the future.”

Lam Nhu Quynh, Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, expressed the pride of the province's youth in the tradition of the Dong Khoi Uprising in Ben Tre.

On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the founding of Ben Tre province (January 1, 1900 - January 1, 2025), the 65th anniversary of the Ben Tre Uprising (January 17, 1960 - January 17, 2025), and especially the Prime Minister's decision recognizing January 17 as the province's traditional day, we, the youth of Ben Tre, feel very proud. This is a recognition of the efforts made by the Party Committee, the government, and the people of Ben Tre to develop and promote the traditions of the Ben Tre Uprising homeland through many generations and terms.

Through the opening remarks of the Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province at the ceremony, we clearly recognize our responsibility in nurturing the aspiration to contribute in the younger generation, and through that aspiration, we must cultivate in them the motivation to continue training and striving. Especially in this era of national progress, it is essential that young people grasp science and technology, be pioneers in digital transformation, and pioneers in innovation and creativity… only then can they meet the province's development goals at a higher level with many expectations, realizing a brilliant Ben Tre in the future.

* Ms. Vo Thi Hao - a Vietnamese expatriate from Canada, originally from Huong My commune, Mo Cay Nam district - who was awarded the title "Honorary Citizen of Dong Khoi": "I am happy to be able to contribute and support those in difficult circumstances in my homeland."

Ms. Vo Thi Hao and her daughter at the ceremony.

At 84 years old, Ms. Vo Thi Hao has spent over 20 years participating in charitable activities in many places, especially focusing on her hometown of Ben Tre - her birthplace. Ms. Hao said that this visit to her hometown is very meaningful, as she is very happy and grateful to be awarded the prestigious title of "Honorary Citizen of Dong Khoi" by Ben Tre province. For her, it is a recognition from the provincial leaders and people of Ben Tre for her and other honored individuals. She deeply appreciates this sentiment and feels very honored to receive this title.

Many years ago, Ms. Vo Thi Hao sponsored the Huong My Commune Education Promotion Association (Mo Cay Nam District), helping many disadvantaged students continue their education and build their future. She said that helping these children – the children of her own hometown – made her very happy and motivated her to continue her charitable activities. Later, she partnered with the Provincial Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin.

According to Ms. Hao, Ben Tre has made remarkable progress in various fields compared to previous years. However, there are still some difficult circumstances, so in addition to the government's attention and policies, the support of the community and philanthropists is also needed to help the people of Ben Tre develop better. Although she is now elderly, her charitable journey continues, and will continue through her daughter, with all her love and affection directed towards Ben Tre, because Ben Tre is the land in her heart.

* Ms. Vo Thi Du - residing in Dinh Hung hamlet, Dinh Thuy commune, Mo Cay Nam district - a witness who participated in the "Long-Haired Army" of the past: "Recalling the tradition of the Ben Tre Uprising makes me even more proud of my homeland, Ben Tre."

Ms. Vo Thi Du (first from the right) and other members of the "Long-Haired Army" attend the ceremony.

Attending the ceremony commemorating the 125th anniversary of the founding of Ben Tre province and the 65th anniversary of the Ben Tre Uprising, Ms. Vo Thi Du expressed her joy at receiving support from provincial and local leaders, especially the Provincial Women's Union, which created opportunities for her and other members of the former "Long-Haired Army" to attend the ceremony.

Ms. Du said that, through the ceremony, which reminded her of the Ben Tre Uprising tradition, she felt even more proud of her hometown, Ben Tre, proud that she and her sisters had also lived and dedicated themselves to the revolution during the struggle for independence. At the same time, it was also an opportunity for the women to meet and greet each other, shaking hands and reminiscing about many memories from the resistance war. Returning to civilian life, they continue to uphold the revolutionary tradition, serving as shining examples to teach their children and grandchildren about love for their homeland and country, and actively contributing to the development of their locality.

Ms. Du also expressed her hope that younger generations will continue to preserve and promote the revolutionary traditions of Ben Tre, the homeland of the Dong Khoi Uprising, protect independence, and build Ben Tre into an even more developed and prosperous province.

Anh Nguyet (Producer)

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/tu-hao-dong-khoi-ben-tre-a141179.html