For the country, Mother sacrificed her whole life.

My mother was always proud of the sacrifices her husband and son made.

"Singing about Vietnamese mothers, singing to celebrate heroic mothers. A life devoted to the race, mothers lived in hardship, sacrificing their whole lives for the country. Mothers had thousands of children, mothers had the whole country", the lyrics lead us to visit heroic Vietnamese mothers on Mother's Day.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Xuan, a Vietnamese Heroic Mother from Hamlet 2, Dak Lao Commune (Dak Mil District), is 86 years old this year. Her entire life has been dedicated to the revolutionary cause of her homeland and country. Now, despite her advanced age and frail health, she still has many sleepless nights due to longing for her husband and children.

me-6(1).jpg — Mother of a Vietnamese Heroic Martyr, Nguyen Thi Xuan, from Hamlet 2, Dak Lao Commune (Dak Mil District), tells her story to the young people.

My mother's husband, martyr Nguyen Ngoc Nien, sacrificed his life in the resistance war against the US to save the country. Following in the tradition of his homeland and family, my mother's son, Nguyen Ngoc Hien (born in 1954), was determined to go fight the enemy to avenge his country and family. Although she felt sorry for her sons who were so young, she suppressed her emotions and encouraged them to overcome hardships and fulfill their duties well.

One day in 1973, Xuan's mother was stunned when she heard the news that her son had died while on duty on the 29th day of Tet.

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"The day I received the news that Hien had been killed, my mother was devastated, collapsing in the yard and weeping. Losing her husband and now her son, her heart ached terribly. War is truly brutal and vicious; every time I think about it, I still feel a sharp pain in my heart."
Mother of a Vietnamese Heroic Soldier, Nguyen Thi Xuan, Hamlet 2, Dak Lao Commune (Dak Mil District)

me-17(1).jpg — Mother of Vietnamese Heroic Martyrs Nguyen Thi Xuan enjoys her old age surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

On the day they bid farewell to their husbands and sons as they set off to defend the homeland, every wife and mother longed for the day of reunion when the country was at peace , but they never returned. Though still burdened by deep emotional wounds, mothers remain proud of their husbands' and sons' sacrifices, which contributed to the glorious history of the nation.

The country is unified and peaceful, overcoming pain, mother Xuan actively participates in local work, raising and educating her children and grandchildren to study hard, practice, work well and mature.

Continuing the revolutionary tradition of their family, Mother Xuan's other children actively studied, worked, produced, developed the economy , and built prosperous and happy families.

Three times I bid farewell to my husband and son, and three times I wept silently.

Mrs. Hoang Thi Khiet, a Vietnamese Heroic Mother from Hung Binh commune (Dak R'lap district), lost her husband and two sons, Ngo Van Khai and Ngo Van Quyen, who were martyrs. Despite her advanced age (she is 99 years old this year) and frail health, her emotions surged as she spoke with us. Three times she bid farewell to her husband and sons, and each time she wept silently.

me-26(1).jpg — Heroic mother Hoang Thi Khiet, Hung Binh commune (Dak R'lap) has a husband and two children, Ngo Van Khai and Ngo Van Quyen, who are martyrs.

Upon hearing the news of her sons' deaths, Mrs. Khiet was devastated and ill for a whole month. Looking up at the altar dedicated to the three martyrs, Mrs. Khiet shared: "My husband died in the resistance war against the French. My two sons died in the border war in the North."

The war is now a thing of the past, but for Khiet, her personal losses were seen as the responsibility and duty of a Vietnamese citizen during wartime. Her silent sacrifice is a noble virtue of a heroic Vietnamese mother.

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It took 23 years to find her son’s grave. Finding her son’s grave brought me some comfort. My sons sacrificed for the country and the people, also for the country to have peace.”
Mother of a Heroic Vietnamese, Hoang Thi Khiet, Hung Binh commune (Dak R'lap)

Currently, mother Khiet is living in the love and care of her youngest son, Ngo Van Chien, and the attention and gratitude for the losses and sacrifices of all levels, sectors, organizations, and localities.

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“Although it is painful, I am also very proud of you. Now that the country has changed, all levels, sectors and localities always care, visit and encourage you, and I feel warm inside.”
Mother of a Vietnamese Heroic Martyr, Nguyen Thi Khiet, shares her story.

Taking care of and supporting

To compensate for the pain and loss, and to help the mothers of Vietnamese Heroic Soldiers have a better life, in addition to fully implementing the preferential policies of the State, for many years, all levels, sectors, and organizations in the province have cared for and supported the mothers of Vietnamese Heroic Soldiers through concrete and practical actions.

me-4(1).jpg — All levels, sectors, and mass organizations in the province have cared for and supported Vietnamese Heroic Mothers with specific and practical actions.

On holidays, New Year, and July 27, agencies, units, and businesses that support VNAH mothers visit and give gifts. For the families of deceased VNAH mothers, Party committees, local authorities, agencies, units, and businesses pay attention and give preferential treatment, demonstrating the moral spirit of "remembering the source of drinking water" and "repaying gratitude".

Sincere feelings stemming from respect and deep gratitude have helped mothers live happily and healthily, live longer, and see their homeland and country increasingly renew and develop.

The Youth Union of Dak Nong Newspaper, in coordination with the Dak R'lấp District Youth Union, visited and wished good health to Mrs. Hoang Thi Khiet, a mother of a fallen soldier.

Particularly for generations of union members and youth in the province, it shows the spirit of returning to the roots and the responsibility of youth in caring for and supporting VNAH mothers.

Hearing that VNAH Mother Nguyen Thi Xuan was sick, Mr. Y Thoa, Secretary of Dak Mil District Youth Union, along with other youth union members in the district, came to visit Mother to inquire about her health. The green shirts of the youth kindly asked, talked, and encouraged Mother to eat well and take care of herself to recover her health. The smiles and chatter seemed to warm up Mother's house.

me-10(1).jpg — Youth union members and young people in Dak Nong province show concern for, care for, and support the mothers of Vietnamese Heroic Martyrs.

Mr. Y Thoa, Secretary of the Dak Mil District Youth Union, shared: “In recent times, the Dak Mil District Youth Union has intensified activities to educate its members and young people about revolutionary traditions. In particular, local youth union branches regularly organize visits and gift-giving to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and families of policy beneficiaries in the area. This is a practical and meaningful activity that educates patriotism and demonstrates the gratitude of the district's youth for the great sacrifices of previous generations in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.”