The children of border guards gathered with Mother Hai for a simple evening meal.

An emotional reunion after 55 years.

The afternoon rain was intermittent, but Dien Loc was filled with emotion that day as two Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, who 55 years earlier had shared hardships in prison, reunited. This reunion was organized by the Phong Hai Border Guard Post, in coordination with the local Party committees and authorities of Dien Huong and Dien Loc communes (Phong Dien district) (*). The two mothers were Mother Le Thi Hai (born in 1929, residing in Dien Loc commune) and Mother Le Thi Tat (born in 1931, residing in Dien Huong commune). Both mothers had been involved in revolutionary activities, were imprisoned and released, and both had sons who were martyrs, dedicating their lives to the Fatherland.

The face of Mother Hai, etched with the marks of time, broke into a toothless smile as Lieutenant Colonel Cao Chi Luyen, Deputy Head of Political Affairs of the Hue City Border Guard Command; Major Hoang Manh Ty, Political Officer of Phong Hai Border Guard Station; and many other officers and soldiers, along with Mr. Doan Ky Coi, Deputy Secretary of the Phong Dien District Party Committee; and leaders of the Dien Huong and Dien Loc communes, gathered around her.

Having waited for this moment for days, the 95-year-old mother's expectant gaze froze when the small, hunched figure of her former comrade appeared at the end of the lane, being helped step by step into the house by the children of the Border Guard. "Sister Hai! Sister Hai! I missed you so much, and I didn't know how to find you. I never thought I'd see you again!" – Mother Tat's heartfelt cry of joy brought tears to Mother Hai's eyes and everyone present. The embrace between the two Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, reunited after 55 years, was overflowing with emotion.

In place of the son, he supports and assists his mother.

The meeting between the two mothers 55 years ago took place in prison. Mother Tat and Mother Hai were captured by the enemy for sheltering revolutionary cadres, supplying food and provisions, and acting as couriers for the revolution. Despite being hung up, beaten, and tortured daily, Mother Hai remained steadfast and unwavering, never uttering a word. When Mother Tat was captured and placed in the same cell to endure the same brutal treatment, Mother Hai lovingly protected her younger comrade.

"Do you remember, when I was taken away for interrogation and tortured, you found a way to get someone to buy sugar to cook for me to help with the bleeding, prepared oil and salt to apply to my wounds, and gave me strength in prison?" - Mother Tat's voice choked with emotion.

Mr. Phan Xuan Nhon, former Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phong Dien district, who was once supplied with provisions by Mother Hai while hiding in a secret bunker (during the resistance war against the US, Mr. Nhon held the position of Secretary of the Party Committee of Dien Huong commune), emotionally continued: "Being imprisoned and tortured, but that physical pain is nothing compared to the greatest loss in a person's life, which is the loss of the children of these Mothers who forever fell in the prime of their youth, sacrificing and dedicating their lives to the People and the Fatherland."

“How many heroic Vietnamese mothers like Mother Tat and Mother Hai have sent their sons off to war, only to weep silently when they never returned? Generations of heroic martyrs have dedicated their lives to creating the beautiful springs of our nation. As soldiers, following in the footsteps of our forefathers, we empathize with and love these mothers even more, and are ready to compensate them in some way,” Lieutenant Colonel Cao Chi Luyen confided.

Therefore, when visiting and giving gifts to Mother Tat, Major Hoang Manh Ty, Political Officer, and Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Phi Hung, Commander of Phong Hai Border Guard Post, stayed with Mother for a long time, listening to her story from prison decades ago, about the affection of a fellow prisoner with whom they had lost contact for decades, and the fervent wish to meet again, a wish that would probably never be fulfilled, because they did not know where Mother Hai was now, whether she was still alive or had passed away.

“When I mentioned Ms. Hai’s name, the border guards opened their phones, showed me her picture, and asked if she was the mother they were looking for. Honestly, I couldn’t recognize her, because 55 years is too long, both Ms. Hai and I have grown old and changed so much. Now, both of us have lost almost all our teeth…” – Mother Tat and Mother Hai clasped hands and smiled toothlessly, but more radiantly than ever. The smiles of the border guards were also radiant.

Bring spring back to Mom.

Major Hoang Manh Ty and Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Phi Hung, along with their comrades in the unit, began a hectic period of traveling back and forth between Dien Huong and Dien Loc, meeting with local authorities at all levels and seeking out living witnesses, including Mr. Phan Xuan Nhon, to gather information and verify the facts. “The sons of these mothers sacrificed their lives for the country, and we are doing what needs to be done to fulfill their wishes. When we confirmed that Mother Hai in Dien Loc was indeed the fellow prisoner who helped and sheltered Mother Tat in prison, we were filled with joy,” shared the Political Officer and Commander of Phong Hai Border Guard Post.

The Border Guard soldiers, in coordination with the local authorities, organized a reunion for the two mothers as soon as possible, but the meeting had to be postponed several times due to the mothers' health concerns. Now, their wish has come true. “Can you eat? And you, too, try to take care of your health…” Whispering words of advice and heartfelt conversation, the faces etched with the marks of time and the toothless smiles of these two Heroic Vietnamese Mothers radiated a bright springtime.

We returned to Phong Hai Border Guard Post on another rainy afternoon, as Lieutenant Colonel Pham Van Tuan, Deputy Political Officer, and Lieutenant Nguyen Dinh Tuan, Deputy Team Leader of the Community Mobilization Team, were preparing to "go back" to Dien Huong to visit Mother Tat. Although alone in her house, the atmosphere was still warm thanks to Mother Tat's radiant smile, the care of her nephew from the village, and the visits and friendly conversations of the Border Guard's children.

As dusk fell, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Van Tuan and Lieutenant Nguyen Dinh Tuan headed towards Dien Loc, fulfilling the instructions: "When you visit Sister Hai, remember to tell Mother Tat that she is still healthy and misses Sister Hai very much."

Colonel Pham Tung Lam, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Provincial Border Guard, said: “For Mother Tat, Mother Hai, and all the Heroic Vietnamese Mothers (in the areas where border guard units are stationed, and who have since passed away), and the mothers of martyrs, we have always been grateful with all our hearts. The heroic martyrs sacrificed themselves to bring spring to the country. The soldiers in general, and border guards in particular, are bringing spring to the hearts of these mothers through care and love, on their behalf.”

(*) From January 1, 2025, Dien Loc commune and Dien Hoa commune will merge to form Phong Phu ward; Dien Huong commune and Dien Mon commune will merge to form Phong Thanh ward (Phong Dien town).

Quynh Anh