In the footsteps of heroes

Ho Chi Minh City youth delegation presented gifts and carried out social security activities in Ly Tu Trong's hometown - Photo: DOAN NHAN

Not only is this a trip back to the source, this activity reminds the young generation of Ho Chi Minh City in particular, and Vietnamese youth in general, to choose a noble and correct ideal of life following the example of a hero who lived only 17 years but had a meaningful life and career.

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

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

On the land of talented people

Despite the pouring rain over the past few days, a continuous stream of people came to the Ly Tu Trong memorial site in Viet Tien commune, Thach Ha district, Ha Tinh. Among the group of people who came to the hometown of that young hero was a group of young representatives from the city named after Uncle Ho.

Ly Tu Trong Memorial Site was built on a piece of land overlooking Cau Song River next to a vast field. Burning incense before the tomb surrounded by 17 clusters of red hibiscus flowers blooming all year round, young people from Uncle Ho's city were moved.

Looking up at the tomb of the heroic martyr Ly Tu Trong, visitors will immediately read the immortal declaration of ideals in life "The path of youth is only the path of revolution..." that he left behind.

Although the land of his fathers and ancestors is not where he was born and raised, it is where Ly Tu Trong was welcomed to rest 80 years after his death in Saigon in 1931. The first communist youth union member is now in the loving arms of his family, the pride of the land of Ha Tinh, a land of talented people.

At the memorial house, many people stopped by the gallery displaying memorabilia and documents related to the life and career found during the process of collecting Ly Tu Trong's remains at Le Thi Rieng Park (District 10, Ho Chi Minh City) in 2011.

Mr. Nguyen Dang Khoa, Head of the Propaganda and External Relations Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, shared that the first time he set foot in Ly Tu Trong's hometown on this meaningful journey, he felt sacred and moved when standing in front of his grave and seeing his remaining mementos.

“Coming here, I deeply feel the example of a young national hero who was enlightened about revolutionary ideals early, dedicated and made great sacrifices. His dedication became an ideal model for future generations of young people,” said Mr. Khoa.

Reminder of Responsibility

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

Ms. Ha said that coming to this red address, she believes that every young person, every youth union member will be more proud of the Fatherland, proud of the green shirt of Vietnamese youth that we still wear.

Personally, Ms. Ha confided that she is proud to be a member and then a Youth Union officer, to be attached to and to live in the exciting moments of youth activities.

“The trip is a reminder of our pride but also a greater sense of responsibility. This is also an opportunity for the Youth Union and the youth of the city named after Uncle Ho to strengthen their affection and attachment to the Provincial Youth Union, the youth of Ha Tinh as well as to the hometown of Ly Tu Trong” – Ms. Ha shared.

Within the framework of this journey, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union started to build a charity house for a poor household, awarded 60 scholarships and gifts to disadvantaged students and Youth Union - Association officials, and donated four televisions, computers and bookcases... in Ha Tinh with a total value of more than 200 million VND.

Receiving the television, computer set and bookcase, 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 in Ho Chi Minh City have for the school.

“47 teachers and more than 800 students are divided into three schools, and the facilities are still lacking, so these gifts are even more meaningful in the current situation of the school. We are very grateful because it will help the school reduce difficulties in teaching and learning,” Ms. Hue shared.

The journey to the source “Following the footsteps of hero Ly Tu Trong” was organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union from October 19 to 21 in the two provinces of Ha Tinh and Nghe An. Along with social security activities, the delegation visited a number of red addresses and historical relics.

In Ha Tinh, you visited Ly Tu Trong Memorial Site, Dong Loc T-junction Relic Site, Great Poet Nguyen Du Memorial Site, Nguyen Cong Tru Temple, General Secretary Tran Phu Relic Site, offered incense at General Secretary Le Duan Temple, and had an exchange with Ha Tinh Provincial Youth Union.

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

Reflect on yourself

In a very special activity, young people in Ho Chi Minh City met and talked with Ms. Le Thi Bay (93 years old) - the youngest sister of Mr. Ly Tu Trong.

A quiet moment at the Dong Loc T-junction relic when the delegation heard the story of girls in their twenties who put their studies aside to join the youth volunteer force and then sacrificed themselves under bombs and bullets.

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

Mixed in with the emotions throughout the journey, many tears fell in the incense smoke. Those were tears of admiration for the steadfast, indomitable example of hero Ly Tu Trong and countless other young heroes who fell in this land of Ha Tinh.

“Mr. Ly Tu Trong and his brothers and sisters are all outstanding examples of youth of all times, always ready to sacrifice for the Fatherland. Those examples help many young people to reflect on themselves, make more efforts and know how to cherish and preserve the peace that has come from the blood sacrifices of many generations,” said Mr. Dang Khoa.