Farewell to my classmate Nguyen Phu Trong!

In an old house in Noi hamlet, Thuy Van commune, Viet Tri city, watching the news reports about the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Mr. Vu Dinh Khuyen was silent, his eyes filled with tears. Half a century ago, he was a classmate and roommate of the General Secretary for 3 years...

Mr. Vu Dinh Khuyen - Former Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of Vinh Phu Provincial Party Committee (former), a classmate of the 3rd Economics - Politics graduate student (1973 - 1976) at the Nguyen Ai Quoc High-Level Party School (now Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics) of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, is 85 years old this year.

With white hair and bright eyes, the mind of a party member with nearly 60 years of Party membership seems to be filled with the most precious memories of his life. In the deep memories that have never had a speck of dust from that time, there is the image of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong - a classmate who was always diligent, close, affectionate, and extremely simple.

“At that time, in the graduate class of 1973-1976, there were more than 20 students from both the North and the South, and Mr. Trong was the youngest, only 29 years old. At that time, he was an editor of the Communist Magazine, and I was a lecturer in the Economics Department of Nguyen Ai Quoc V School. Because of the concentrated study, all students lived and ate at the school, and only had Sundays off to go home. The small dormitory had four brothers, me, Mr. Trong and two other students, each with a single bed, living and eating together, voluntarily advising each other on studying and researching. After school, we invited each other to play badminton and practice sports together.”

Mr. Khuyen emotionally recalled the years he studied in the same class with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Five years older than him, Mr. Khuyen still often called General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong "brother" to show respect. In his memory, his younger brother was very simple, wearing rubber sandals and a simple old brown shirt. He was gentle, sincere, tolerant, and close to his brothers. He studied diligently, focusing on directly researching the classic works of Marxism-Leninism, including "Capital" by Karl Marx, using that knowledge as the foundation for his future career.

The graduate course ended, and his classmates sadly said goodbye to each other, each going their separate ways. Mr. Khuyen returned to Nguyen Ai Quoc V School to continue working and teaching. In 1986, he returned to his hometown, became Deputy Director of Vinh Phu Provincial Party School, and then Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of Vinh Phu Provincial Party Committee.

It was not until 20 years after graduation, on May 20, 1996, that the students of the 3rd class of the Faculty of Economics and Politics had the opportunity to reunite at their old school. Friends shook hands and greeted each other, decades apart, but the memories of the days of studying together, overcoming many difficulties and hardships were still full and intact as if it had happened yesterday.

The photo taken with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the class reunion in 1996 is considered a valuable souvenir by him.

Flipping through the old class reunion photo carefully stored in a faded black suitcase, Mr. Khuyen emotionally pointed and introduced each classmate's name: This is Mr. Trong, this is Mr. Tich, Mr. Cap, Mr. Quang... That day, Mr. Trong also attended, he wore a warm brown coat, his hair was turning gray but his face was always radiant and excited.

Then Mr. Khuyen fell silent. The film of memories of the last time he met General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong surged like a wave in his mind. “During my time as Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of Vinh Phu Provincial Party Committee, I organized the first advanced political theory class in the province. I invited Mr. Trong, who was then Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, to give a lecture on Party building to key cadres in the simple thatched hall of the Propaganda Department. How could I forget? That day was exactly the wedding day of my fourth son. After Mr. Trong gave his lecture, I asked for permission to go home to organize my son's wedding. My house was small, located next to a pond, and I did not have the means, so I did not dare to invite anyone to attend. But how did he and all the students know about it? I received congratulatory gifts from my brothers, including a gift from Mr. Trong to celebrate my grandchild's happiness. I was so surprised... I was moved, extremely touched, and extremely appreciative. A person with a degree, with power, was so sincere, close, affectionate, meaningful, and profound. That day was also the last time I met Mr. Trong in person...”.

Always following the General Secretary's journey and the important responsibilities he has undertaken with all his respect and admiration, from the moment he heard the Politburo's announcement about the General Secretary's health, Mr. Khuyen realized that this time there seemed to be an ominous sign.

“On the evening of July 19, when the television announced that the General Secretary had passed away, I felt a sense of loss, pain, and deep regret. Memories of half a century ago, when we were classmates, flooded my mind... Birth, aging, illness, and death are the laws that everyone must go through, but the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a great and irreplaceable loss for the entire nation. A talented, virtuous, dedicated, exemplary leader of our Party, army, and people, a great man but very ordinary...” - Mr. Khuyen choked up, placing his hand on his chest to suppress the grief in his heart.

“Almost all of our fellow graduate students have passed away. I have contacted Mr. Quang, Mr. Sau, Mr. Tich... After the State Funeral, we plan to go to the official residence at 5 Thien Quang Street, Hanoi - where General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's family lives - to burn incense and bid him farewell to the world of the wise...”.

Cam Nhung

Source: https://baophutho.vn/luu-luyen-tien-biet-nguoi-ban-hoc-nguyen-phu-trong-216095.htm