Places Steeped in the Military-Civilian Bonds
The close-knit relationship between the Vietnamese military and civilians has proven to be a formidable force in both wartime and peacetime, as well as during periods of hardship and crisis. This enduring bond has continually strengthened unity, growing even more resilient with each shared challenge.
In recent times, provinces such as Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Quang Binh, and Nghe An have been severely affected by natural disasters including flooding. To minimize damage and provide support during these perilous moments, military forces have faced immense challenges and danger. They have bravely navigated floodwaters to evacuate people and property to safety, tend to the injured, and search for missing persons. It is in these moments of hardship and risk that the image of the "Uncle Ho's Soldiers" shines even brighter, leaving a lasting impression in the hearts of the people.
When Typhoon No. 3 (Yagi) struck, its aftermath brought flash floods, inundation, and landslides that devastated villages across provinces in northern Vietnam. Particularly, the surge of the Red River, which swelled with such force, collapsed two spans of the Phong Chau Bridge in Phu Tho, causing loss of life and property and leaving families in profound grief. Within just 15 minutes of the incident, Lieutenant General Pham Hong Chuong, Commander of Military Region 2, arrived to oversee rescue operations.
Under his direction, the 543rd Engineer Brigade and the Phu Tho Provincial Military Command mobilized forces and equipment to rescue those in danger, provide medical aid to the injured, and coordinate plans to install a temporary pontoon bridge, ensuring residents could continue to travel safely.
In the early hours of September 10, a flash flood struck Nu Village in Bao Yen District, Lao Cai Province, burying 33 households, impacting 40 families, and resulting in the tragic loss of 60 lives, with seven people still missing. Immediately following the disaster, over 650 personnel, including troops from Military Region 2, border guards, police, and local militia, were mobilized for search and rescue efforts.
Once the rescue operations were completed, Army Corps 12 and Truong Son Construction Corporation (under the Ministry of National Defense) began working closely with local authorities to expedite the construction of the Nu Village resettlement area in Bao Yen District, aiming to complete it by December 31.
Keeping their promise to Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang, Army Corps 12 finished assembling and erecting the first homes by October 15. Notably, the first concrete stilt house was completed and roofed on October 22, exactly one month after the groundbreaking ceremony organized by the Lao Cai People’s Committee and Vietnam Television.
At the end of September 2024, residents of Tran Yen District and Yen Bai (Yen Bai Province) lined the streets waving flags and flowers, expressing their heartfelt gratitude to the soldiers who helped them recover from the aftermath of the floods.
“The tireless efforts of military units like Regiment 148 of Division 316 under Military Region 2, Brigade 543 of Military Region 2, Regiment 121 of the Yen Bai Provincial Military Command, and the Tram Tau District Militia, involving nearly 3,000 personnel and machines, have been instrumental in helping Tran Yen District overcome the initial challenges caused by the natural disaster,” said Tran Ngoc Thu, Chairman of the Tran Yen District People’s Committee.
Typhoon No. 3 heavily impacted coastal provinces in northern and central Vietnam, where military forces worked alongside local residents to evacuate people and property to safe shelters. These efforts have become symbolic of the strong bond between the military and the people, exemplifying the enduring spirit of the "Uncle Ho's Soldiers" during peacetime.
Story: VNP Photos: VNA Translated by Nguyen Tuoi