Proud of Dong Nai military personnel on the grand celebration

The Party Flag and National Flag contingents rehearsing for Mission A80.

Despite hardships, challenges, and harsh weather conditions, each officer and soldier has strived for one common goal: The success of the grand celebration. Happiness, pride, and a sense of gratitude are reflected in both words and actions of every officer and soldier participating in this special mission.

High determination of female soldiers

Among the more than 700 female soldiers of the Contingents including Female Commandos and Southern female Guerrillas trained by Military Region 7, nearly 40 are female soldiers from Dong Nai province. All are determined to overcome difficulties for the grand celebration.

Among them, Nguyen Le Tuyet Nhi, Chief of the Female Commandos Contingent, under Dong Nai Military Command’s Operations Department, has held the role of contingent chief three consecutive times. Tuyet Nhi is regarded as one of the most steadfast and resilient contingent chiefs, with strong determination, clear, decisive and accurate movements.

Chief of the Female Commandos Contingent Nguyen Le Tuyet Nhi and her teammates during a training session for Mission A80. Photo: Nguyet Ha

Meeting Tuyet Nhi just after the second full-dress joint rehearsal, sweat still poured down her face, but her constant smile and bright eyes revealed the determination of a Southern girl standing in formation.

Tuyet Nhi has taken part in three major military parades: A70 (training for the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory), A50 (training for the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification), and now A80 (serving the National Day celebration). On these three occasions, she has served as contingent chief of the female soldiers’ formation hailing from the South.

“ From A70 to A50 or A80, each mission is different, in terms of terrain, weather and movement conditions. But they all share one thing: the pride and honor of being selected for a major mission of the nation. As contingent chief, the responsibility is heavier: every movement must be precise, beautiful, and decisive so the entire contingent can perform well” Tuyet Nhi shared.

Her comrades often joked that when the formation makes a mistake, the whole group is at fault, but when it comes to the contingent chief, she shoulders it alone. Indeed, even when tired, legs stiff and aching, she strives to fulfill her duty and never shows sadness in front of her comrades.

Tuyet Nhi confided: “Our forefathers sacrificed for us to live in peace and independence today, so these small hardships are nothing. Whenever I feel tired, I think of the stories my parents told me, the films and history books I read, and I push myself to stay cheerful. My smile becomes a source of motivation for the other female soldiers to overcome difficulties and fulfill our mission for the great celebration.”

Soldier Bui Thi Phuong Ngoc, Dong Nai Military Command’s Operations Department, who also trains in the Female Commandos Contingent, recalled: “Many days her feet swelled up from training, but when meeting everyone, she always gave a bright smile.”

“It was her cheerfulness and enthusiasm that inspired us to be more confident and give our best for the big mission,” Phuong Ngoc said.

Another soldier, Le Thi Lan of the Logistics and Technical Department, Dong Nai Military Command, faced even greater difficulty as she had to leave her husband and two young children to join the training.

Lan said: “After training each day, I use Zalo to call my family and see my children, which eases the homesickness. That becomes my encouragement and motivation to keep striving for the Nation’s Great celebration.”

Efforts of young men

Of more than 40 armed force contingents training for the celebration, Military Region 7 is responsible for three: Female Commandos, Female Guerrillas, and Male Airborne Special Force Contingent (MASFC). Among them, the MASFC has 36 members from Dong Nai. Most are only 18 or 20 years old, carrying the spirit of youth and the tradition of the resilient Eastern Region. They are all soldiers of Division 5, devoting their best efforts to the celebration.

Officers and soldiers remain highly determined, “overcoming sun and rain, training with great enthusiasm” for Mission A80. Photo: Nguyet Ha

Vu Huu Chinh, Chief of the Male Airborne Special Force Contingent, noted: Like other contingent chiefs, the joy is shared by all, but the hardship and difficulties fall on the leader first. “Still, every one of us chosen for A80 feels proud and determined to overcome difficulties and fulfill the mission.” Chinh shared.

Consistently rated among the top three formations by Senior Commanders during Regional and National rehearsals at Ba Dinh Square in the capital city of Ha Noi, the MASFC continues to train tirelessly so that every step on Ba Dinh Square reflects not only victory, pride, and honor, but also the heartfelt return to the love of the people.

“We consider it a great honor to take part in Mission A80. No matter how difficult it may be, people nationwide can trust that we will be determined to complete our mission excellently.”

Captain PHAN TAN PHAT, training instructor of the Male Airborne Special Force Contingent

During their training to serve the grand ceremony, the MASFC often shared touching stories with one another as profound encouragement, helping everyone strive to overcome difficulties and complete the mission.

One such story was of Sergeant To Ly Kiet, 20, from Regiment 4, Division 5, Military Region 7. This was his second time honored to join a military parade and march (previously A50).

 Like many officers and soldiers of Division 5 and Military Region 7, Kiet takes great pride, honor, and determination in successfully fulfilling his assigned tasks, as he did during the Mission A50. For A80, Kiet is part of the MASFC, trained under the responsibility of Division 5, Military Region 7.

But on August 15, during training, Kiet received heartbreaking news: his father had suddenly passed away in his hometown of Phu Hoa commune, Dong Nai province. Grieving deeply, Kiet was granted leave to return home for the funeral. After completing the arrangements, he returned to Ha Noi on August 19, resuming training with his comrades at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.

He shared: “After completing the funeral rites, I kept my promise and returned to join my comrades in training for the celebration. I am determined to perform well to bring honor to myself, my family, and to reassure my beloved father in the afterlife.”

The Artillery Soldiers’ contingent diligently trains in preparation for the grand celebration. Photo: Nguyet Ha

Other young men from Dong Nai such as Phan Minh Tu in Tan Trieu ward, Phan Thanh Danh in Nha Bich commune, and Tran Minh Quy in La Nga commune also train hard with enthusiasm. Each has a personal story, but all share the same pride and joy at being selected for A80. Whether first-timers or participants of previous missions, their common desire is to contribute precise, powerful steps on Ba Dinh Square, steps filled with pride, determination, and gratitude before the compatriots and people nationwide.

By: Nguyet Ha

Translated by: M.Nguyet-Thu Ha