(BDO) To commemorate the 48th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the Reunification of the Country (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2023), the Youth Union of the Agencies and Enterprises Bloc of Binh Duong province organized the "I Love My Homeland" journey to Con Dao district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. This place marks the heroic history of the indomitable struggle of patriots. The journey contributed to educating the younger generation about the sacred love for their homeland.
The delegation visited, presented gifts, and listened to stories about the revolutionary activities of former female political prisoner Nguyen Thi Ni.
Meet the former female political prisoner.
During the historic month of April, the Provincial Youth Union of Government Agencies and Enterprises chose Con Dao Island as a stopover point to organize the "I Love My Homeland" journey – a sacred land where the Hang Duong Cemetery is located, burying thousands of soldiers who fell for national independence; and the resting place of Vo Thi Sau, a national heroine.
During this trip, the Youth Union also organized a meaningful meeting of the Young Theorists Club on the theme "Educating Patriotism" at the home of former Con Dao political prisoner Nguyen Thi Ni. Ms. Nguyen Thi Ni, born in 1939, was imprisoned in cell number 6, Phu Hai Prison Camp, from 1972. She was awarded the 45-year Party membership badge.
In a moment of heartfelt conversation, hands clasped tightly, eyes gazing into the distance, recalling old stories and memories of years of hardship, Mrs. Ni slowly recounted her revolutionary activities. Born and raised in Tan Trung commune (Go Cong Dong district, Tien Giang province), she participated in the Dong Khoi movement in Ben Tre and Tien Giang in 1959-1960. Afterward, she left home and went to Saigon to join the urban guerrilla forces.
The group visits the Con Dao Museum.
In 1971, during a major enemy raid, she was betrayed and captured in Go Cong. She was subsequently imprisoned in Thu Duc and Tam Hiep camps. Throughout, she remained steadfast, refusing to reveal any information about the revolutionary base. Despite all the torture and beatings, the enemy could not extract any information from this unwavering woman.
Then they took her to Con Dao Island, hoping to crush the will and spirit of the prisoners with brutal beatings and torture. For the prisoners of Con Dao, the memory of "hell on earth" is an indispensable part of their lives. Because of her immense love for her fallen comrades, after the complete liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country, Ms. Ni returned to this place. She is also the only female former Con Dao prisoner who volunteered to return and "stay on the island".
Nguyen Gia Bao, a Youth Union official from the provincial government and business sector, shared: "Through Ms. Nguyen Thi Ni's story, the members of the delegation had a very meaningful political study session. Hearing about how she and her colleagues studied politics together in prison helped the members gain a deeper and more complete understanding of the importance of political education for young communists."
At the same time, this helps young people understand the historical value of the nation and the contributions of the heroic martyrs who fell for the independence of the nation and the country, educating them about revolutionary ideals and raising their sense of responsibility in building and protecting the Fatherland in the new situation.
Educating patriotism and a desire to contribute.
During the trip, the group also visited the Con Dao Museum, where artifacts were displayed and explanations were given about the meaning and stories behind the historical objects. This is a place that preserves the ups and downs of time, the suffering of communist prisoners, and the glorious spirit of determination to fight, unwavering loyalty to the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, and steadfast devotion to the victory of the revolution.
The delegation also visited famous historical sites, including the 914 Pier Monument. This is a sacred historical site. At the memorial, the delegation lit incense to remember and express gratitude to the soldiers who fell here.
Con Dao, also known by various other names such as Con Son and Con Lon, is an archipelago off the coast of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. On February 1, 1862, Bonnard signed a decree establishing Con Dao Prison, where Vietnamese political prisoners were held, using the infamous tiger cage system. Under the brutal regime of the prison, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese died and were buried in Hang Duong Cemetery. Because of this harshness, Con Dao was once known as a hell on earth. In 1977, the National Assembly convened and decided to officially name it Con Dao, making it a district-level administrative unit under Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. |
The name 914 was given to this place to commemorate the 914 patriots who sacrificed their lives during the construction of the pier. They were tortured and abused in prison. The prisoners here still have to traverse treacherous mountain paths, carrying heavy, hand-carved stones on their frail shoulders.
Many fell from exhaustion and the brutal beatings of the enemy. The scattered stones at the foot of the pier stand as evidence of the inhumane crimes of the French colonialists of the past.
According to Bien Tuan Vu, Secretary of the Youth Union of the Provincial Government and Enterprise Bloc, Con Dao Prison is also a "communist school" that trains the qualities and will of communist fighters on the prison front, and at the same time, it is a place to educate the younger generation today and tomorrow about the tradition of heroic struggle, patriotism, and indomitable spirit of previous generations of revolutionary activists.
Learning from the example of our predecessors with all gratitude and respect, we hope to contribute to fostering love for our homeland and country, and a desire to contribute in each youth union member of the government and business sector, and to inspire a pioneering spirit in contributing ideas and initiatives to the "Binh Duong Aspiration 2030".
Mr. Vu added that in recent times, the Provincial Youth Union of State Agencies and Enterprises and its affiliated branches have effectively implemented the "Journey of Traditional Education" model for young union members. Through trips to historical sites, exchanges with Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, former youth volunteers, and families with contributions to the revolution, these activities have effectively contributed to renewing the content and methods of revolutionary ideal and traditional education within the Youth Union, attracting a large number of young union members to participate.
The stories and practical lessons learned through each journey have helped each youth union member deeply understand invaluable historical lessons. These include the fact that national independence is priceless, sacred, and inviolable. They are aware of their responsibility as the next generation to carry on and spread the spirit of love for their homeland and national pride within their respective youth union branches.
“Through this journey, the Provincial Youth Union of Government Agencies and Enterprises hopes to instill in today's young generation the flame of enthusiasm and dedication to work and study in building the country. Each Youth Union official has been and is making a worthy contribution to the glorious responsibility of the Youth Union organization, holding the red flag with a yellow star and moving forward. With faith, will, and a desire to contribute, may each Youth Union official live their brightest days.”
(Mr. Bien Tuan Vu, Secretary of the Youth Union of the Provincial Government and Enterprise Bloc)
NGOC NHU - GIA BAO
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