For the Motherland, I sacrificed my whole life.

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

"Singing about Vietnamese mothers, singing in honor of heroic mothers. Their lives were dedicated to the nation, mothers lived amidst hardship, sacrificing their entire lives for the country. Mothers have thousands of children, mothers have the whole nation," the lyrics of the song guided us to visit the 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 devastated to hear the news that her son had been killed in action on the 29th day of the Lunar New Year.

"
"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.

With the country unified and at peace, overcoming the pain, Mother Xuan actively participated in local work, raising and educating her children and grandchildren to strive for excellence in their studies, training, work, and personal growth.

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 — Mrs. Hoang Thi Khiet, a Vietnamese Heroic Mother from Hung Binh commune (Dak R'lap district), has a husband and two sons, 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.

"
It took 23 years to find her son's grave. Finding it brought some comfort to the mother. Her children sacrificed themselves for the country and its people, so that the nation could have peace."
Mother of a Heroic Vietnamese, Hoang Thi Khiet, Hung Binh commune (Dak R'lap)

Currently, Khiet's mother is living in the loving care of her youngest son, Ngo Van Chien, and receiving attention and gratitude for her losses and sacrifices from various levels of government, organizations, and the local community.

"
"Despite the grief, I am also incredibly proud of my children. Now that the country has changed, and all levels of government and local authorities are always caring, visiting, and encouraging them, 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 — The various levels of government, departments, and mass organizations in the province have cared for and supported Vietnamese Heroic Mothers through concrete and practical actions.

During holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), and on July 27th, agencies, units, and businesses that provide support to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers visit and give gifts. For families of deceased Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, Party committees, local authorities, and agencies, units, and businesses show care and consideration, demonstrating the moral principle of "remembering the source when drinking water" and "repaying gratitude."

These sincere feelings, stemming from deep respect and gratitude, have helped mothers live happier, healthier, and longer lives, witnessing the continuous renewal and development of their homeland and country.

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.

Specifically, the generations of Youth Union members and young people in the province demonstrate a spirit of returning to their roots and a sense of responsibility in caring for, supporting, and caring for the mothers of Vietnamese Heroic Soldiers.

Upon hearing that Mrs. Nguyen Thi Xuan, a mother of a fallen soldier, was ill, Mr. Y Thoa, Secretary of the Dak Mil District Youth Union, along with other Youth Union members and young people in the district, visited her to inquire about her health. The young people, dressed in their green uniforms, kindly inquired about her well-being, chatted with her, and encouraged her to eat well and take nutritious food to recover. The smiles and lively conversations warmed the atmosphere in her home.

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.”