When the Government decided to build the Bac Hung Hai irrigation project, due to the lack of machinery at that time, it was necessary to mobilize the strength of the entire population. Responding to the call of the Party and the State, village girl Pham Thi Vach actively appeared at the construction site early in the morning as the Deputy Head of the Hung Cuong Commune Team. Sometimes using a shoulder pole, sometimes pulling a cart, Pham Thi Vach transported hundreds of cubic meters of earth, rocks, and construction materials to serve the project. Pham Thi Vach was recognized as a "General" at the Bac Hung Hai construction site and was elected as an Emulation Fighter for two consecutive years.

Labor Hero Pham Thi Vach (second from right) during her meeting with Uncle Ho at the 3rd National Congress of Heroes and Emulation Fighters in 1962. Photo courtesy

In 1961, Uncle Ho visited Hung Yen and attended a conference to summarize the irrigation work in the whole North. That day, after listening to the report on the achievements in irrigation work in the locality, he asked about typical women and reminded the provincial leaders to care for and encourage women. According to the introduction of the Provincial Party Secretary, Pham Thi Vach was proud to meet and listen to Uncle Ho speak directly. “I still remember that day Uncle Ho smiled brightly. At that time, perhaps seeing that I was over 20 years old but small like a child, he affectionately called me “little Vach”. What was even more surprising and joyful was that at the conference, Uncle Ho decided to give me his badge. When Uncle Ho called me up to receive it, I was so moved that my legs were shaking. When Uncle Ho gave me the badge, I always remembered that Uncle Ho told me that if I had worked and studied well, I still had to do better, needed to be close to listen, learn from the masses to progress”, Hero Pham Thi Vach said.

With outstanding achievements in the irrigation movement in the period 1958-1962, Pham Thi Vach was honored to be a delegate to the 3rd National Congress of Heroes and Emulation Fighters in 1962, when she was just over 20 years old. At the congress, Pham Thi Vach was awarded the title of Labor Hero.

In 1969, upon hearing that Uncle Ho was tired, the Hung Yen delegation, including “little Vach”, asked permission to visit. That day, despite being tired, Uncle Ho still stood up to personally pour water for the delegation and told everyone to stay healthy to continue working. Mrs. Vach recalled: “Hearing Uncle Ho’s advice, everyone in the delegation was moved. We loved and worried about Uncle Ho, but we tried not to cry because we were afraid that Uncle Ho would be sad. As for me, once again hearing his advice, I was even more determined to study and strive in my work.”

Remembering Uncle Ho's advice, Hero Pham Thi Vach decided to continue studying and matured in many positions, as the Head of the Cooperative, then Chairman of the People's Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of Hung Cuong Commune. Ms. Pham Thi Vach was continuously a National Assembly delegate for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th terms until she retired./.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/tu-loi-can-dan-cua-bac-ho-1015495