Moved by the third diary of martyr, doctor Dang Thuy Tram

The book is like a deeper, more emotional slice of the life, soul and ideals of the heroic female doctor who fell at the age of 27.

This is also an occasion to commemorate the 55th anniversary of her death (June 22, 1970 - June 22, 2025) and the 20th anniversary of the publication of her first diary, which shocked and touched the hearts of millions of Vietnamese people as well as international friends.

PAGES WRITTEN FROM THE HEART

The three younger sisters of Dang Thuy Tram, Dang Huyen Tram, Dang Phuong Tram and Dang Kim Tram, came from Hanoi to Quang Ngai to introduce the book named Dang Thuy Tram and the third diary . The book includes the family introduction, diary pages (about 30%) written from October 1965 to December 1966, that is, before she went to the South to fight. This is actually the first diary she ever wrote, but it has only been published now.

Moved by the third diary of martyr, doctor Dang Thuy Tram - Photo 1.

Ms. Dang Kim Tram (3rd from left) introduces the book - PHOTO: PHAM ANH

Ms. Dang Kim Tram, the book’s editor, shared that before going to the battlefield, Ms. Tram sent the diary to her biological mother, Ms. Doan Ngoc Tram. The diary was kept in a small box on her mother’s bedside, quietly lying there for many years.

Ms. Kim Tram, the youngest child in the family, is the one who has always been by her mother's side. She was also the first person to receive the phone call 20 years ago from an American veteran who wanted to return Tram's diary to her family. It was the memories and understanding of her mother that inspired her to become "the secretary of her deceased mother" to complete this book.

"We hope that young people will receive this third diary as a way to return to the flame of their twenties that burned 20 years ago, when Ms. Tram's diary was first published, to better understand the patriotism, life ambitions and dedication ideals of the previous generation," said Ms. Kim Tram.

"THAT FIRE STILL BURNS TODAY"

Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Ngai province, choked up several times. He was moved to recall the image of Ms. Tram leaving Hanoi, leaving her beloved home when she was just twenty years old to go to the South to fight. She silently devoted herself to dangerous surgeries, amidst the sound of bombs and bullets, still writing a diary, pages filled with tears, blood and love.

Moved by the third diary of martyr, doctor Dang Thuy Tram - Photo 2.

Dang Thuy Tram's book and the third diary - PHOTO: PHAM ANH

"She lived like a flame, burning persistently on the march, in every hastily written line. And that flame still burns today in the hearts of young generations of Vietnam, inspiring endless courage, love for the homeland and noble sacrifice," Mr. Dung emotionally shared.

Poet Thanh Thao, who has been associated with Quang Ngai for many years and also introduced the book at the seminar, talked about "the deepest layers of the soul" clearly shown in the diary pages.

He quoted the Russian writer Paustovsky: "I write for my own needs, because life demands it, not for people to read" and commented that this is also the spirit of Ms. Tram when writing her diary. Not to expose or praise, but a personal need, to have a dialogue with herself, to express the deepest things in her heart.

According to poet Thanh Thao, the most touching thing in the diary is not only the noble ideals but also the "small loves": love for parents, love for younger sisters, love for friends, love for lovers, love for the wounded soldiers and the people of Duc Pho who are suffering a lot. And above all, is the love for the Fatherland.

"She once choked up and wrote: 'So many people fell but no one knew... In this life-and-death struggle, tens of thousands of people died, thousands of deaths that were no less heroic but silent.' Ms. Tram, for many years, was also one of those silent deaths," poet Thanh Thao said emotionally.

Reading through the diary pages, one can feel that behind Ms. Tram's sensitive soul, there are many worries and anguish. She writes about her emotions and pride in the example of sacrifice of Mr. Nguyen Van Troi; and her sorrow for the nameless heroes who quietly fell in the midst of fierce struggles.

For many years, Ms. Tram herself was one of those silent deaths. It was not until 20 years ago, in the mountains of Quang Ngai, that her flame was rekindled - a flame of patriotism, kindness and resilience, never extinguished in the hearts of those who remained.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xuc-dong-voi-cuon-nhat-ky-thu-3-cua-liet-si-bac-si-dang-thuy-tram-185250619231823495.htm