His entire life and career were a shining example of a steadfast communist soldier, completely loyal and devoted, fighting all his life for the ideals of national independence and socialism, for the happiness of the people. He was also an outstanding son of his homeland Quang Tri.
General and Minister of National Defense Doan Khue speaks at the first National Congress of the Vietnam Veterans Association (1992). Photo: Tran Son/VNA
Dedicated to my homeland Quang Tri
General Doan Khue, alias Vo Tien Trinh, was born on October 29, 1923 in Gia Dang village, Trieu Tan commune (now Trieu Lang commune), Trieu Phong district, Quang Tri province. He grew up in a patriotic family with a tradition of revolutionary struggle. In 1930, at the age of 16, he joined the Anti-Imperialist Youth Movement, and later became Secretary of the National Salvation Youth of Trieu Phong district.
In late 1940, he was arrested by the enemy and imprisoned in Quang Tri prison, then exiled to Buon Ma Thuot. In May 1945, after being released from prison, he returned to work on building a revolutionary base in Quang Binh province. In June 1945, he was admitted to the Indochinese Communist Party. After that, he fought and commanded the battlefield of Zone 5 in two consecutive resistance wars against the French and the Americans. After the country was unified, he was elected as a member of the Party Central Committee and Commander of Military Zone 5.
In 1986, he was appointed Deputy Minister of National Defense and Commander of Command 719, Head of the delegation of experts performing international duties in Cambodia. From 1987-1991, he was Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army; from 1991-1997, he was a member of the Politburo and Minister of National Defense.
General Doan Khue is an outstanding politician and military man who has made many contributions to the Party, the nation and the Vietnam People's Army (1986). Photo: VNA
As a National Assembly Delegate of Binh Tri Thien Province and a National Assembly Delegate of Quang Tri Province, despite being busy with the common work of the country, General Doan Khue always fulfilled his duties and responsibilities to his hometown Quang Tri. In the years when transportation was not yet developed, he had to roll up his pants and walk on the sand for kilometers to reach voters in the poor coastal area.
The General also traveled by truck with border guards and soldiers many times, crossing many dangerous passes and slopes to reach voters in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. Every time he returned to work and met voters in his hometown of Quang Tri, General Doan Khue always took the time to visit and learn about the real life of the people. Wherever he went, he was interested in asking in detail about production, animal husbandry, education, medical treatment, listening attentively and thoroughly understanding the questions and aspirations of voters, encouraging people to overcome difficulties and develop the socio-economy. Wherever he went, the General was warmly welcomed by the people and voters because of his simple, affectionate and responsible style.
General, Minister of National Defense Doan Khue with units awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces (1994). Photo: Minh Dien/VNA
Mr. Hoang Duc Thang, National Assembly Delegate of Quang Tri province, said: When working with local leaders, General Doan Khue always pointed out which agencies and authorities are responsible for solving the issues raised by voters, and where the difficulties and bottlenecks come from. From there, the General reminded and advised local officials: “Our people are still poor, life is still full of hardships. Taking care of people's lives is the responsibility of the Party and the government. We must pay attention to listening to people's opinions, grasping their thoughts and aspirations; we must have very specific and practical policies for the people; especially policies on hunger eradication, poverty reduction, cultural and social development, and policies for families with revolutionary contributions”. The General also reminded: “If we can immediately do something that people request, then do it, don't make promises and then not do them, losing the people's trust”.
Comrade Doan Khue (3rd from left) and the delegation of the Vietnam People's Army attending the 6th National Party Congress (1986). Photo: Kim Hung/VNA
According to Quang Tri Provincial Party Secretary Le Quang Tung, no matter what position or responsibility he holds, in his heart, Comrade Doan Khue always turns to his hometown Quang Tri, considering his hometown as the source and support in his life of activities. Whenever he has the opportunity to visit his hometown, he spends precious time going to remote areas, where there are many difficulties and shortages, to learn about and listen to the opinions and aspirations of the people, and encourage them to overcome difficulties and build a new life. The General always advises and directs many dedicated opinions to the Party Committee, the government and the people on socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security, building the Party and the political system, gradually building his hometown Quang Tri to develop more and more, and the people to be prosperous and happy.
General and Minister of National Defense Doan Khue visits the military booth at the 1994 Vietnam International Trade Fair. Photo: Phuong Thao/VNA
Trieu Lang hometown is getting more and more prosperous
Coming to Trieu Lang commune, we heard many stories about General Doan Khue's affection for his homeland. That is the image of a simple, honest and exemplary general, with deep affection for the people of Trieu Lang and his homeland of Quang Tri. Wherever he went, the General kindly visited the people and cadres; reminded the Party Committee of the commune to spend more time and effort on economic development, jobs and people's lives. In particular, he always worried about how to make his homeland increasingly rich and strong, and the people's lives prosperous and happy. Without hesitation or distance, every time they met the General, the people of Trieu Lang were open, raised all their questions and concerns, and expressed their excitement about the changes in their homeland.
General Doan Khue, Politburo member, welcomed comrade Kaysone Phomvihane, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, to attend the 7th National Party Congress (1991). Photo: Xuan Tuan/VNA
Mr. Dang Quang Hai, Chairman of Trieu Lang Commune People's Committee, said that the commune has made remarkable progress in all fields, and the quality of life of the people has been improved. From a poor coastal commune, where people's lives faced many difficulties and cultural, educational and medical facilities were still lacking, the average income has now reached 55.7 million VND/person/year, all industries have developed strongly, and the poverty rate has decreased to 4.28%. The infrastructure system has been invested synchronously. Small-scale industry, trade and services in the commune have developed strongly. The whole commune has 5/5 villages achieving the title of cultural village.
The number of households meeting cultural standards accounts for 98%. Mass cultural activities are developing vigorously, the sports movement is widely developed, each village has a cultural house, a sports ground, a playground for children and the elderly. In 2023, Trieu Lang commune was recognized by the People's Committee of Quang Tri province as meeting new rural standards, the homeland is increasingly prosperous. The results achieved in all fields have further increased the people's trust in the Party, creating an important premise for the commune to have a new development step in the next stage.
General and Minister of National Defense Doan Khue visited and worked at Military Region 5 (1996). Photo: Xuan Quang/VNA
“The example of loyalty and devotion to the Fatherland, the people, and the homeland of General Doan Khue will forever shine, reminding every child in the heroic homeland of Trieu Lang to always strive, study, and practice continuously, worthy of being the next generation to continue the revolutionary cause in the General’s homeland. We are willing to forever learn from the example of General Doan Khue, considering this as a strength and resource to continue promoting innovation, building our homeland to become more and more prosperous as the General believed and wished for,” said Mr. Le Xuan Loc, Secretary of the Party Committee of Trieu Lang commune.
According to VNA/Tin Tuc Newspaper
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