The trip was attended by the Executive Board of the School Veterans Association and all members, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Cong Nhat, President of the Association. In particular, the trip was honored to have the participation of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Long, former Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, former Vice President of Hanoi National University, former Principal of the School and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Van Hai, former President of the Association for the 2017-2022 term - teachers and scientists who have made many contributions to the education cause, and are also historical witnesses deeply attached to the country through the ages.
The delegation departed from Hanoi to Quang Binh. The first stop was Vung Chua - Yen Island, the resting place of General Vo Nguyen Giap - the talented Commander-in-Chief, the eldest brother of the Vietnam People's Army. Here, the entire delegation respectfully offered incense in memory, expressing deep gratitude for the General's great contributions to the cause of national liberation.
After offering incense to the tomb of General Vo Nguyen Giap, the delegation continued their journey to Quang Tri province and boarded a ship to Con Co Island - an indomitable symbol of the heroic fighting spirit in the resistance war against the US. Here, the veterans together recalled heroic historical stories and visited places marking the feats of our army and people. The delegation visited Con Co Martyrs' Memorial to offer incense to commemorate the soldiers who fell for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. Bowing before the souls of the heroes, each veteran and each representative of the delegation of veterans from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities sent their prayers for the souls of the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives to live forever with the love of their compatriots and comrades on Con Co Island in particular and the Vietnamese people in general. The tour on Con Co Island not only carried the meaning of gratitude but also was an opportunity for the previous generation to share and inspire the next generation about patriotism and indomitable will.
The group took photos at the foot of the monument to commemorate the heroes and martyrs of Con Co island.
From Con Co, the delegation returned to the mainland, continued their journey to visit and lay wreaths at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Martyrs' Cemetery - the resting place of thousands of soldiers who fell in the 1972 General Offensive. The delegation visited and commemorated the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Student - Soldier Memorial Monument in the summer of 1972, which depicts the image of a young soldier, representing tens of thousands of students - soldiers (among them were many generations of students from the former Hanoi University) who volunteered to go to the battlefield in the 81-day and night campaign to protect the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel in the summer of 1972. They were the embodiment of a noble ideal: "Splitting Truong Son to save the country, with hearts full of hope for the future". The incense sticks and silent moments of silence were the sincere and emotional gratitude of the members of the delegation. Next, the delegation moved to visit Vinh Moc Tunnels - a living testament to the resilience of the army and people of Vinh Linh during the fierce war.
The group took photos on the north side of Hien Luong Bridge, a bridge that divided the North and South during the war against America.
After three days of emotional and meaningful journey, the group returned to Hanoi, ending the trip in an atmosphere filled with team spirit, solidarity and emotion.
The 2025 journey to the source is an activity imbued with traditional education and patriotism. Through sacred and heroic destinations, veterans not only relive the heroic memories of a time of bombs and bullets but also have the opportunity to review, share and spread historical values to future generations.
The trip reinforced the belief, revolutionary ideals, fostered the spirit of solidarity and social responsibility in each member. This was not only a return to memories, but also an occasion to show gratitude, to remind about the eternal values of independence, freedom, peace and patriotism.
The journey to the source is one of the contents that the Veterans Association of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi pays great attention to and implements annually to demonstrate the morality of drinking water and remembering its source, showing gratitude for the sacrifices of our ancestors to protect and preserve the independence of the nation, while contributing to strengthening the connection and sharing among members.
