Following in the footsteps of heroes

The Ho Chi Minh City youth delegation presented gifts and carried out social welfare activities in the hometown of hero Ly Tu Trong – Photo: DOAN NHAN

More than just a trip back to our roots, this event reminds the young generation of Ho Chi Minh City in particular, and Vietnamese youth in general, to choose a noble and righteous ideal in life, following the example of a hero who lived for only 17 years but whose life and career were full of meaning.

Following the example of Ly Tu Trong, each young person should strive to improve themselves, excellently fulfilling the tasks and duties entrusted to them by the Party, the Youth Union, the people, and fellow youth union members. This is also the purpose of life for today's youth.

Ms. TRAN THU HA (Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union)

On this land of outstanding people and rich history.

Despite the persistent rains of the past few days, a continuous stream of people flocked to the Ly Tu Trong Memorial Site in Viet Tien commune, Thach Ha district, Ha Tinh province. Among those who came to the hometown of this young hero was a group of young people representing the youth from Ho Chi Minh City.

The Ly Tu Trong Memorial Area is built on land overlooking the Cau Song River next to a vast field. Lighting incense before the tomb, surrounded by 17 clusters of evergreen trees blooming with vibrant red flowers, young people from Ho Chi Minh City offered their heartfelt emotions.

Looking up at the tomb of the heroic martyr Ly Tu Trong, visitors will immediately read the immortal declaration of his ideals: "The only path for youth is the revolutionary path..."

Although not the place where he was born and raised, the land of his ancestors is where Ly Tu Trong was laid to rest 80 years after his sacrifice in Saigon in 1931. This first Communist Youth League member now lies in the loving embrace of his family, a source of pride for the land of Ha Tinh, a place of outstanding people and rich history.

At the memorial, many people stopped to look at the exhibition room displaying mementos and documents related to the life and career of Ly Tu Trong, which were found during the repatriation of his remains at Le Thi Rieng Park (District 10, Ho Chi Minh City) in 2011.

Nguyen Dang Khoa, head of the Propaganda and External Relations Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, shared that upon his first visit to Ly Tu Trong's hometown during this meaningful journey, he felt a sacred and moving emotion standing before his grave and seeing the remaining relics of Ly Tu Trong.

“Coming here, I deeply feel the exemplary spirit of a young national hero who, despite his youth, quickly embraced revolutionary ideals, dedicated himself wholeheartedly, and made immense sacrifices. His dedication has become an ideal role model for future generations of young people,” said Khoa.

A reminder of responsibility

Ms. Tran Thu Ha – Deputy Secretary of the City Youth Union, President of the Vietnam Student Association of Ho Chi Minh City, and also the leader of the journey – shared that the days participating in the journey will be an extremely emotional and meaningful time for each member as they set foot in the homeland of Ly Tu Trong.

Ms. Ha said that by visiting this historical site, she believes that every young person, every youth union member, will feel even more proud of their country, proud of the green uniform of Vietnamese youth that we all wear.

Personally, Ms. Ha expressed her pride in being a Youth Union member and then a Youth Union official, being involved in and living through the vibrant activities of young people.

“This trip serves as a reminder of our pride but also raises our awareness of our responsibilities. It's also an opportunity for the Youth Union and the youth of Ho Chi Minh City to strengthen their bond with the Provincial Youth Union, the youth of Ha Tinh, and the homeland of Ly Tu Trong,” Ms. Ha shared.

As part of this initiative, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union commenced the construction of a charitable house for a disadvantaged family, awarded 60 scholarships and gifts to underprivileged students and Youth Union/Association officials, and donated four televisions, computers, and bookshelves in Ha Tinh province, with a total value of over 200 million VND.

Receiving the television, computer set, and bookshelves, Ms. Tran Thi Dung Hue – principal of Ly Tu Trong Primary School (Viet Tien commune, Thach Ha district) – said she was truly moved by the affection that young people from Ho Chi Minh City have shown for the school.

“With 47 teachers and over 800 students spread across three school locations, and limited facilities, these gifts are even more meaningful given the school's current circumstances. We are very grateful because they will help alleviate some of the difficulties the school faces in teaching and learning,” Ms. Hue shared.

The "Journey to the Roots: Following in the Footsteps of Hero Ly Tu Trong" was organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union from October 19 to 21 in the provinces of Ha Tinh and Nghe An . Along with social welfare activities, the delegation visited several historical sites and revolutionary landmarks.

In Ha Tinh, you visited the Ly Tu Trong Memorial Area, the Dong Loc Crossroads historical site, the Nguyen Du Memorial Area, the Nguyen Cong Tru Temple, the Tran Phu General Secretary historical site, offered incense at the Le Duan General Secretary's Temple, and interacted with the Ha Tinh Provincial Youth Union.

Today (October 21st), the trip will take you to several locations in Nghe An province, where you will visit and work with the provincial youth union.

Reflect on yourself.

In a rather special activity, young people in Ho Chi Minh City met and chatted with Mrs. Le Thi Bay (93 years old) – the youngest sister of Ly Tu Trong.

A poignant moment at the Dong Loc Crossroads historical site as the delegation listened to the story of young women in their twenties who put their studies aside to join the Youth Volunteer Force and then sacrificed their lives under the bombs and bullets.

Chatting and inquiring about the health of Mrs. Le Thi Bay (93 years old), the youngest sister of Ly Tu Trong - Photo: DOAN NHAN

Amidst the overwhelming emotions of the journey, many tears mingled with the scent of incense. These were tears of admiration for the unwavering courage and indomitable spirit of the hero Ly Tu Trong and countless other young heroes who fell on this land of Ha Tinh.

“Ly Tu Trong and the other young people are outstanding examples of youth of all times, always ready to sacrifice for the Fatherland. These examples help many young people reflect on themselves, strive harder, and appreciate and preserve the peace achieved through the sacrifices of countless generations,” Dang Khoa expressed.