1. Short Story for March 26th: Lý Tự Trọng - A Hero from Hà Tĩnh
Lý Tự Trọng, born Lê Văn Trọng, hailed from Thạch Minh, Thạch Hà, Hà Tĩnh, though he was born in Ban May Village, Nakhon, Thailand, into a patriotic Vietnamese family. His father was Lê Hữu Đạt, and his mother was Nguyễn Thị Sờm. At the age of just 10, Lý Tự Trọng went to China for his studies, mastering both Mandarin and English. He became an active member of the Vietnam Youth Revolutionary Association. In 1929, he returned to Vietnam with the mission of establishing the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union and served as a liaison between the Southern Party committee and the Communist Party of Vietnam, relaying messages between comrades in Vietnam and abroad via ships arriving at Saigon port. On February 9, 1931, during a commemoration of the Yen Bai uprising, French colonial officer Lơ Gơrăng attempted to arrest a speaker raising a flag; Lý Tự Trọng courageously shot him dead. He was soon captured, tortured, and taken to trial. Despite being only 17 years old, Lý Tự Trọng boldly spoke out in court, stating, 'I act not without thought. I understand what I am doing. I do it for the revolutionary cause.' In the face of his inevitable execution, Lý Tự Trọng remained unshaken, refusing to express regret. His heroism and resolve inspired the nation’s youth. Though his life was cut short, his legacy remains a shining example for future generations to follow. His statement, 'The path of the youth can only be the revolutionary path,' continues to motivate us to strive for scientific and technological advancements, fight poverty and backwardness, and remain vigilant against the threat of peaceful evolution from hostile forces.
Short Story for March 26th: Lý Tự Trọng - A Hero from Hà Tĩnh
Short Story for March 26th: Lý Tự Trọng - A Hero from Hà Tĩnh
2. Short Story for March 26th: The Young Hero Vừ A Dính
Vừ A Dính was born and raised in a family of the H'Mong people with a deep-rooted tradition of patriotism and revolutionary spirit. From a young age, Dính was an exceptionally bright, brave, and quick-witted boy. Educated by his parents, he quickly became aware of the revolutionary cause and developed a strong hatred for the French colonial invaders. Not yet 13 years old, Vừ A Dính volunteered to stand guard to prevent the enemy from attacking, looting, burning houses, and capturing people. On one occasion, the French troops didn’t come from Tuần Giáo but secretly crossed the Bản Chăn forest to pillage. Upon discovering the enemy, Vừ A Dính rushed back to his village, shouting, 'There are French soldiers! There are French soldiers!' The villagers fled into the forest, while Dính hurried home to check if his mother and siblings had made it to safety. He encountered a group of soldiers who had come to capture laborers for the enemy. They forced him to carry a large cage with a pig. As they reached a hill near a stream, Dính planned to escape using the terrain. Pretending to slip, he tumbled down the slope with the cage. However, the cage broke open, and the pig ran into the forest. The soldiers immediately charged down, beating him and dragging him to the Bản Chăn garrison. The French commander ordered his men, 'He lost the pig, and he must pay the price.' Knowing he would be executed the next morning, Dính secretly enlisted the help of an old man, Vừ Sa, from Phiêng Pi village. Together, they dismantled the prison roof and crawled past several guard posts to escape. At just 13, Vừ A Dính left his family and became a liaison for the armed forces in Tuần Giáo. His unit operated across a vast area, from Điện Biên to Tuần Giáo and up to Tủa Chùa. They swiftly moved from village to village, helping people stabilize their lives, build revolutionary organizations, and secretly organize resistance against the French invaders. Despite the hardships of wartime, Vừ A Dính remained optimistic and passionate about life. He was keen on learning and did so well. He always carried a book in his shirt pocket to study whenever possible. Dính learned to read and write proficiently. Due to enemy searches for his unit, they had to keep moving, often staying on high mountain slopes far from water sources, making life extremely difficult. Dính was responsible for fetching water and always ensured there was enough for the unit. His primary task was communication. Every time he was sent on a mission, Dính was smart and ensured his safety, often returning before the scheduled time. When his comrades asked how he could move through the forest so easily, Dính would smile and say, 'Since I was young, I've been climbing mountains and walking fast!' In June 1949, the French launched a massive offensive, deploying nearly a thousand soldiers from various garrisons to surround and annihilate Vừ A Dính’s armed unit. One group of soldiers, under the command of a French officer, set an ambush near an abandoned village close to Pú Nhung. On that day, Dính had just returned from a secret meeting with his mother, carrying hundreds of bullets in his bag and soaked by the mist. Due to the thick fog, visibility was poor, and Dính unknowingly walked into the ambush. The French officer asked, 'Where is your district?' (The French still referred to Việt Minh officers in Lai Châu as 'district'). Dính calmly replied, 'I don’t know.' The officer yelled, 'You’re carrying ammunition for your district and you don’t know where it’s going?' He struck Dính repeatedly. The soldiers continued to beat him mercilessly until midday. When they grew tired of hitting him, they resumed questioning, but Dính still only answered, 'I don’t know!' One soldier then struck Dính’s leg with the butt of a gun, breaking his leg and leaving him bruised and swollen, but Dính endured without uttering a single word. That night, the soldiers tied Dính to a peach tree in the cold, damp night. Over the next several days, they tortured him, starving and dehydrating him in the forest. Dính’s bravery left many French soldiers trembling. On the third day, the French officer came to Dính and offered him medicine to heal his broken leg, food, and money in exchange for information. Dính, however, remained silent. As Dính's friends from different ethnic groups—Thai, Mông, and Xá—passed by, they were moved by his suffering. Dính managed to pass a message to his comrades: 'The document bag is hidden in the forest. Tell them to retrieve it.' The French officer, realizing that Dính knew too much, ordered that four soldiers be assigned to guard him. As Dính felt the end was near, he decided to play a trick on them. The next morning, he pretended to surrender, agreeing to speak, and requested water and food. He was carried around the mountains and forests, but he still refused to reveal any information. By evening, they had returned to the starting point. With a smile, Dính looked up at the sky and the familiar mountains. The French officer, enraged, opened fire on him, killing him instantly. His body was hung from the peach tree. On June 15, 1949, at just 15 years old, Vừ A Dính heroically sacrificed himself. Though his life was short, the courage and indomitable spirit of this young messenger left a lasting legacy in the hearts of the people. Today, on the land of Pú Nhung, the people continue to honor the example of the young hero, striving for progress in agriculture, economic development, and strengthening the revolutionary tradition of their homeland.
Short Story for March 26th: The Young Hero Vừ A Dính
Short Story for March 26th: The Young Hero Vừ A Dính
3. Short Story for March 16th: Martyr Bùi Thị Cúc, Heroine of the People's Public Security Forces – the One Who Was Honored by President Hồ Chí Minh with the Golden Six Words 'Live Heroically, Die Gloriously'
The martyr of the People’s Public Security Forces, Bùi Thị Cúc, was born as Trần Thị Lan in 1930 in Vân Mạc village, Quang Trung commune, Ân Thi district, now part of Vân Du village, Ân Thi district, Hưng Yên province. Born into a poor peasant family with a strong revolutionary tradition, she was the fifth of seven children. Her father died when she was young, and due to poverty, she worked as a domestic servant from the age of 9, essentially a bonded servant to pay off her family’s debt. When the August Revolution of 1945 succeeded, she returned to her family after the land was redistributed. Growing up in a family with a strong revolutionary spirit and a deep love for the country, Cúc became politically aware early on. She was quickly trusted by Communist Party members and was assigned various tasks, which she carried out excellently in any circumstance. At the end of 1947, she was officially inducted into the Communist Party of Vietnam, becoming the youngest female party member in her commune. She later became a social worker for the women's association of Ân Thi district.
In 1947 and 1948, Ân Thi was a volatile area in Hưng Yên province. The enemy troops were stationed in most of the key communes, setting up garrisons and bases in many villages. Quang Trung commune alone had four out of twelve villages controlled by the enemy. They built the Cảnh Lâm garrison to control surrounding areas and monitor National Route 5. The French used several local traitors to collect information and capture our comrades. Among them, Nguyễn Doãn Súy, the head of the Cảnh Lâm garrison, and his accomplices, Nguyễn Doãn Tín and Nguyễn Doãn Nhi, were particularly notorious. These local landlords collaborated with the French, oppressing the local people and forcing them to serve the enemy’s regime. The Hưng Yên Public Security Department assigned Bùi Thị Cúc the task of infiltrating the enemy’s ranks and working with our forces to eliminate Doãn Nhi, which would help expand the revolutionary movement in the region.
Following the plan, on May 12, 1950, Bùi Thị Cúc succeeded in luring Doãn Nhi, a member of the enemy’s Second Department at the Cảnh Lâm garrison, into an ambush set by our forces. However, after completing the mission, the enemy discovered and captured her.
Despite enduring intense torture, Cúc remained steadfast and refused to reveal anything. She told the other prisoners, 'I take full responsibility, don’t say anything.' She even advised her fellow Party members, 'They will kill me, but I won’t betray anyone. You can rest assured. Please encourage my mother when you meet her.' Unable to break her resolve, the enemy resorted to further torturing her, but on the morning of May 15, 1950, they executed her publicly in front of the villagers. Throughout the ordeal, even in her final moments, Cúc managed to cry out, 'Long live President Hồ!' She held firm to her revolutionary principles and remained silent, refusing to betray her comrades. Her unwavering courage and sacrifice were an inspiration to her fellow revolutionaries.
Bùi Thị Cúc's martyrdom demonstrated the noble qualities of a Communist Party member, a revolutionary police officer, and a woman of indomitable spirit. Her actions were deeply admired by her fellow citizens and comrades, who mourned her loss while vowing to avenge her death. Her courage and sacrifice were celebrated across the country, with President Hồ Chí Minh himself following the case closely. Recognizing her bravery and sacrifice, on January 15, 1952, Hồ Chí Minh posthumously awarded Bùi Thị Cúc the Third Class Independence Medal and the Golden Six Words: 'Live Heroically, Die Gloriously.' On August 3, 1995, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the People’s Public Security Forces, the government awarded her the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces, recognizing her supreme sacrifice for the country.
Short story 16/3: Martyr Bui Thi Cuc, Hero of the People's Armed Forces – the one who received the Six Golden Words from President Ho Chi Minh: "Live bravely, die gloriously"
Short story 16/3: Martyr Bui Thi Cuc, Hero of the People's Armed Forces – the one who received the Six Golden Words from President Ho Chi Minh: "Live bravely, die gloriously"
4. Short Story 26/3: Vo Thi Sau and the grenade that destroyed the enemy
Vo Thi Sau was born in 1933 in Phuoc Tho village, Dat Do district, now Long Dat district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. She was born in a region with a rich revolutionary history. In 1947, at the age of 14, she joined the Dat Do District Police Force with the intention of punishing the tyrants. From then on, she became a reconnaissance soldier, conducting missions to eliminate traitors and bandits, achieving great feats of courage.
In February 1950, she led a group to ambush and kill two notorious criminals, Ca Sut and Ca Day, using grenades. Unfortunately, she was captured by the enemy. Despite severe torture, she refused to divulge any information. Later, she was imprisoned at Chi Hoa prison in Saigon, where she faced a trial and was sentenced to death.
At her trial, although she was only 17 years old, Vo Thi Sau boldly demonstrated the heroic spirit of a Vietnamese girl, making the judges and their associates fear her. She proclaimed loudly:
- Loving the country and resisting colonialist invaders is not a crime!
When the judge interrupted her and sentenced her to death, confiscating all her property, she retorted:
- I still have several trash bins in Chi Hoa prison, you can go ahead and confiscate those!
She then raised her voice loudly and defiantly:
- Down with French colonialism! The resistance will definitely triumph!
The French colonists wanted to kill this fearless young woman immediately, but they were reluctant to carry out the execution on someone underage. Instead, they kept her imprisoned at Chi Hoa and later transported her to Con Dao. On January 23, 1952, they executed her on this remote island two days after bringing her there. Knowing her fate, she spent the night of January 22 singing revolutionary songs such as: "Len Dang," "Cung Nhau Di Hung Binh," and "Tien Quan Ca."
At around 4 AM on January 23, 1952, after the judge completed the execution procedure, the priest offered to give her last rites:
- I will perform the last rites for you.
She sharply rejected the priest’s offer:
- I have no sin. The ones who are guilty are the ones who are about to execute me.
The priest patiently continued:
- Before you die, is there anything you regret?
She looked him and the judge directly in the eye and responded:
- I only regret that I haven’t yet eliminated all the French colonialists and their puppet traitors.
When they arrived at the execution ground, the judge asked her:
- Do you have any final requests before your death?
She replied:
- Don’t blindfold me. Let my eyes see my beloved country until my last moment, and I will have the courage to face the barrel of your guns!
With those words, she began to sing aloud. Her voice rang out with fervor, drowning out the sound of the judge reading the execution order and the soldiers preparing their rifles. As the officer gave the order to fire, she suddenly stopped singing and shouted:
- Down with French colonialism! Long live Vietnamese independence! Long live President Ho!
Her cry seemed to make the executioners hesitate, and when the first volley of shots rang out, they missed. Vo Thi Sau stood there defiantly, staring at them. The officer in charge didn’t give the order for a second volley. Instead, he withdrew his handgun and walked over to her, pointing it at her temple and pulling the trigger...
Her heroic act and indomitable courage in front of the enemy spread far beyond the prison walls, reaching the ears of the authorities in Con Dao and across Vietnam...
The Vietnamese people have a proud tradition of resilience: "Some deaths turn into immortality, some words surpass all songs." Yes, Sister Sau will live forever in the history of Vietnam’s revolution, her spirit immortalized in our poetry. She will remain an enduring symbol of courage and resilience for the youth of today, just as she was in the past.
Short Story 26/3: Võ Thị Sáu and the Grenade That Killed the Enemy
Short Story 26/3: Võ Thị Sáu and the Grenade That Killed the Enemy
5. Short Story 26/3: The Glorious Sacrifice of Revolutionary Hero Nguyễn Văn Trỗi
Nguyễn Văn Trỗi was born on February 1, 1940, in Thanh Quýt village, now part of Điện Thắng Trung commune, Điện Bàn district, Quảng Nam province, in a family with a strong revolutionary tradition. In 1956, Nguyễn Văn Trỗi moved alone to Saigon to live. There, he worked various jobs to survive and also learned the trade of electrical work, later becoming a worker at the Chợ Quán power plant. In 1963, Nguyễn Văn Trỗi joined the Saigon guerrilla forces. Throughout his revolutionary activities, he consistently excelled in his tasks. On one occasion, he threw a grenade that killed and injured several enemy soldiers. When he learned that a high-level U.S. military delegation led by Defense Secretary McNamara would visit Saigon in May 1964, the Vietnamese forces developed a plan to eliminate McNamara. Driven by his deep love for his homeland and hatred for the invaders, Nguyễn Văn Trỗi, despite having been married for only 10 days, bravely volunteered for the mission. He and his comrades set a bomb on the Công Lý bridge (now Nguyễn Văn Trỗi bridge in Ho Chi Minh City), anticipating that McNamara and his delegation would pass through the bridge on their way from Tan Son Nhat Airport to downtown Saigon. However, as they were placing the 8-kilogram bomb, their mission was exposed, and he was captured by the enemy. To protect his comrades and ensure their safety, Nguyễn Văn Trỗi refused to betray his team, even taking full responsibility for the mission. After being tortured for a period, he was tried and sentenced to death. Nguyễn Văn Trỗi not only showed immense courage during the bomb planting at Công Lý bridge in 1964, but he also displayed unshakable resolve and belief until his final moments. He refused to accept a pardon, boldly stating that the American and puppet forces were the true criminals, the ones responsible for the destruction, death, and suffering in the country. He openly confronted his enemies, saying: - As long as the American invaders are here, there will be no happiness for us. This statement resonated deeply with the youth and people of our country, as well as with progressive youth and people worldwide. Knowing his execution was imminent, he remained optimistic and full of life. At the execution site, Nguyễn Văn Trỗi remained calm and resolute, ready for battle. When his blindfold was tied, he ripped it off and said: - No, let me see this beloved land one last time. In his final moments, he boldly shouted: - Remember my words! Down with American imperialism! Down with Nguyễn Khánh! Long live Hồ Chí Minh! Long live Hồ Chí Minh! Long live Vietnam! Nguyễn Văn Trỗi is a shining example of dedication to the cause of national independence, freedom, and sacrifice. His story continues to inspire the younger generations with the noble ideals of the revolution, the love for the homeland, and the willingness to contribute to the country's renewal efforts for a prosperous, strong, democratic, fair, and civilized Vietnam.
The Bright Revolutionary Sacrifice of the Hero Nguyễn Văn Trỗi
The Bright Revolutionary Sacrifice of the Hero Nguyễn Văn Trỗi
6. Short Story 26/3: The Little Boy Lượm
The story I am about to tell you took place many decades ago, back when my grandfather was still alive, young, and passionately involved in the national resistance against the French. At that time, my grandfather was assigned to a mission in Thừa Thiên - Huế. There, he encountered a courageous and heroic teenager. In early 1947, my grandfather, along with the poet Tố Hữu, was part of a delegation to Huế to establish a resistance committee. Huế, at that time, was in ruins, as the French had wreaked havoc there, but thanks to the protection of the people, many of our secret base areas remained safe. After receiving preliminary reports on the situation, my grandfather, along with poet Tố Hữu and a few comrades, decided to assess the resistance movement in the city. They traveled by foot that very night along secret routes, safely avoiding enemy checkpoints. When they reached the Mang Cá post, they were pleased to witness the vibrant fighting spirit of the local comrades. After receiving the report, the comrades led my grandfather and poet Tố Hữu to meet a young boy, about 10 years old, who appeared quick and lively. A comrade introduced him: "This is Lượm, the best messenger in our post right now." "How old are you, young man?" my grandfather asked. "I’m 12, sir!" replied Lượm. "How do you like being a messenger here?" my grandfather inquired further. Lượm cheerfully answered, "I love it! I like being here at Mang Cá more than at home!" "Very good. If there were more people like you in Huế, the French would soon be defeated," my grandfather said, pleased. Then, Lượm saluted and continued with his mission. Despite his small frame, Lượm’s legs were as quick as a squirrel's. On his waist, he carried a small, neat satchel containing documents, letters, and orders. This dangerous task never seemed to faze him, and he always worked with a smile and innocence. His clear, bright eyes and playful nature suited his crookedly worn cap. Months later, while my grandfather and poet Tố Hữu were working at their office, a comrade from Mang Cá arrived to deliver a report. After discussing battle plans, the comrade, with deep sorrow, delivered the tragic news: Lượm had fallen in battle. Both my grandfather and poet Tố Hữu were stunned, tears slowly streaming down their faces. The comrade continued: "That day, like any other, Lượm received a document from the post to deliver to the outskirts. He hurriedly left, eager to complete the task. However, on his way, he encountered an ambush by the enemy. Quick-thinking, he tore up the document and tossed it into a ditch before fleeing. But it was too late; the enemy opened fire, and Lượm fell. When we arrived, it was with great sorrow that we saw his lifeless face still smiling. One hand grasped his cap, and the other firmly held a stalk of milk rice." Upon finishing his account, the comrade broke into tears. My grandfather would share the story of young Lượm wherever he went, especially to educate the younger generation. Wherever he went on mission, he took with him the heroic tale of this brave boy. After peace was restored, he returned to his hometown and continued to pass on the legacy of courage and sacrifice to his children and grandchildren. Whenever I think of Lượm, the image of a small, lively boy with a satchel full of documents, a crookedly worn cap, whistling as he skipped along in the sunlight, comes to mind. Lượm sacrificed himself valiantly while carrying out his mission amidst the heavy bombardment, and he died on the sacred soil of our homeland—a sacrifice that was noble and pure, a shining example for all generations to follow.
Short Story 26/3: The Little Boy Lượm
Short Story 26/3: The Little Boy Lượm
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