1. Reference Example 4
Three young female volunteers form a reconnaissance team at a key location on the Truong Son road. The team consists of two younger girls, Định and Nho, with Thao, the team leader, being slightly older. Their mission involves observing enemy bombings, measuring the amount of soil and rubble to be cleared from enemy bomb impacts, marking unexploded bombs, and defusing them. The job is perilous, as they must frequently run on high points during the day, vulnerable to sudden airstrikes. Facing death is a daily reality, especially when defusing bombs, often multiple times a day. Living in a cave at the base of a hill, far from their unit, these girls face harsh and dangerous conditions, yet they find moments of youthful joy, peaceful dreams, and deep camaraderie. Phương Định, the main character and narrator, is a dreamy and emotional girl who often reminisces about her youth, family, and hometown. Toward the end, the story focuses on the characters' actions and emotions, especially Phương Định's, as they face a bombing incident where Nho is injured, and the team's concern and care for each other become evident.

2. Reference Example 5
"The Distant Stars" is a story about a reconnaissance team stationed at a critical point on the Truong Son road during the intense Vietnam War. The team consists of three young female volunteers: Nho, Thao, and Phương Định (the narrator). Their mission involves observing enemy bombings, measuring the amount of earth and rubble to be cleared, and marking unexploded bombs to safely neutralize them, ensuring the safe passage of military vehicles. Through this story, author Lê Minh Khuê praises the inner beauty and bravery of these three young women, representing the spirit of the Vietnamese youth during the war against the United States.

3. Reference Example 6
Three young female volunteers, Phương Định, Nho, and Thao, form a reconnaissance team stationed at a critical point on the Truong Son road. Their mission involves observing enemy bombings, measuring the amount of earth and rubble to be cleared, and marking unexploded bombs for neutralization. Despite the immense danger they face, they still experience moments of youthful joy, tranquility, and dreams. The bond between them is strong, and they care deeply for each other as comrades. During a bomb disposal operation, Nho is injured, and Phương Định and Thao immediately tend to her with concern and care.

4. Reference Example 7
The short story "The Distant Stars" tells the story of three young female volunteers: Phương Định, Nho, and Thao, the team leader, who carry out reconnaissance duties along the Truong Son road. They live in a cave beneath a high point in a crucial area. Their job involves observing enemy bombings, measuring earth and rubble that need to be cleared, and marking unexploded bombs to ensure safe passage for military vehicles. Their work is extremely dangerous and requires precision and calmness. Every day, they must dispose of bombs at least three times, sometimes up to five, constantly facing death. Despite the harsh and dangerous conditions, the three girls still find joy in their youth. Thao, the eldest, loves to sing and write down song lyrics, even those created by Phương Định. Nho, the youngest, has a playful, childlike personality and enjoys eating candy. Whenever Nho returns from a reconnaissance mission, she heads straight to take a shower, which Phương Định humorously compares to a refreshing ice cream. During a bomb disposal operation, Nho gets injured, and Phương Định and Thao immediately show deep concern and care for her. Phương Định, the narrator, is a dreamy and emotionally expressive girl, often lost in thoughts of her childhood and family. At the story's conclusion, a sudden hailstorm reminds Phương Định of her family and her city.

5. Reference Example 1
The short story "The Distant Stars" is one of the outstanding early works by writer Lê Minh Khuê, written in 1971. It praises the lives and fighting spirit of young volunteers on the Truong Son road during Vietnam's war of resistance against the U.S.
"The Distant Stars" tells the story of three girls—Thao, Phương Định, and Nho—who are part of a road reconnaissance team. They live in a cave on a hilltop in a crucial area along the Truong Son road. Their job is to observe enemy planes and quickly assess the damage when bombs fall, marking unexploded bombs and neutralizing them. Each day, despite the constant dangers, they carry out their tasks with smiles, seeing them as part of their duty. The story emphasizes their youthful energy and joy in the face of adversity, always living with a sense of hope. Thao enjoys writing down songs in her notebook, Phương Định often daydreams about her childhood, and Nho loves embroidery, even though her work is often a bit haphazard. Despite their differences, they share a deep bond, caring for each other like sisters. During a mission to defuse a bomb, Nho is severely injured, and Phương Định and Thao tend to her with great concern. A sudden hailstorm briefly disrupts the scene, but it also brings forth many unspoken feelings, especially for Phương Định, who begins to reflect on the past and dream of a better future.
The story is told from Phương Định's first-person perspective, offering a vivid portrayal of the harsh realities of war and the inner emotions of the characters, highlighting the beauty of human spirit in wartime.

6. Reference Example 2
"The Distant Stars" tells the story of three young female volunteers—Phương Định, Nho, and Thao—who are part of a road reconnaissance unit. They live in a cave on a high point along the Truong Son road during the Vietnam War. Their duties include watching for enemy planes, measuring bomb craters to fill them, marking unexploded bombs, and defusing them. Despite the constant threat of death, they find joy in their work and youth, enjoying moments of peace and daydreams. The bond between them is strong, with each having a unique personality. During a bomb disposal mission, Nho is injured, and her comrades care for her with great dedication. A brief hailstorm triggers a wave of memories and desires in Phương Định's heart.

7. Reference Example 3
The story follows three female youth volunteers who form a road reconnaissance unit at a strategic location along the Truong Son Road. The characters are Nho, Thao, and Phương Định, the narrator. Their task is to observe enemy bombing, measure the soil that needs to be filled, mark unexploded bombs, and defuse them. Despite the extreme danger of their work, the three girls still find moments of joy in their youth, peaceful and dreamy moments. They share a deep bond, caring for each other like comrades. During a bomb disposal mission, Nho gets injured and is carefully tended to by her teammates. A sudden hailstorm at the high point brings them great delight.




