Where the scars of war still linger.

 Those who stayed behind.

The provincial road from Thanh Hoa city to Sam Son beach is bustling with traffic on holidays. During the scorching summer, the beach is a popular destination for many individuals and organizations seeking to swim, enjoy the fresh breeze, and cool seawater to escape the sweltering heat and recharge for the days to come. About 4km from Sam Son beach lies a humble "quiet spot" hidden beneath the rustling green leaves of trees. This is the "Thanh Hoa Provincial Center for the Care of War Veterans." Here, they care for wounded soldiers, homeless relatives of martyrs, those suffering from mental illness, and those affected by the effects of Agent Orange. They were once soldiers who fought in the war, carrying with them a fervent revolutionary spirit. They also endured losses and sacrifices, physical and mental pain, contributing their blood and lives to the war against the US and the reunification of the country.

During a meeting with war invalids and veterans by the Trade Union and Veterans Association of the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities, we met veteran Le Van Thanh, a 1/4 war invalid, who shared: He participated in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign on the southern front. While his unit was charging forward to seize the battlefield, it was ambushed by the enemy aiming to annihilate the entire unit. The battle resulted in heavy casualties. He himself was wounded twice, losing both arms permanently on the battlefield; he also suffered head injuries and blindness in both eyes.

That loss came just over two days before the complete liberation of South Vietnam. Returning to the rear with numerous injuries, he felt he could barely stand, but then a village girl, impressed by him, fell in love with him and they built a happy life together. That happiness blossomed and bore fruit. Three children were born, the result of his resilience, overcoming all difficulties, and his unwavering dedication to writing the chapters of his life's love story. His family currently lives in Tan Son commune, Trieu Son district, Thanh Hoa province. He is classified as a severely wounded veteran and receives treatment and care at a center, occasionally being allowed to visit his family.

A nurse led us to the room of wounded soldier Mai Trong Bai and told us that everyone at the center called him a living martyr. Through our inquiries, we learned that young Mai Trong Bai enlisted in 1966 and participated in the Quang Tri battlefield. In 1971, during the Route 9 South Laos campaign, he was unfortunately attacked by enemy artillery. His unit suffered casualties, and he himself lost his right leg above the knee, gradually lost his sight, and had a perforated ear, with shrapnel still lodged in his arm and shoulder. But bombs, bullets, and illness could not defeat him, because he possessed an inner strength and determination to fight for his life. Furthermore, after returning from the battlefield, he started a family. Tragedy struck, and his wife died prematurely. Thus, this wounded soldier fought alone against illness and poverty to raise his three children.

Perhaps the living quarters and facilities for mentally ill war veterans and victims of Agent Orange left a painful impression on everyone. The mentally ill veterans – they were like wild, untamed creatures, enthusiastically eating, voraciously consuming the cakes and cigarettes offered by visitors. Many were over sixty years old, still possessing strength and energy, yet they seemed to belong to another world. The war had transformed them from normal people into deranged individuals, exhibiting unconscious, uncontrollable behaviors. They would carry this pain with them for the rest of their lives.

At the row of houses for Agent Orange victims, young faces in a dazed state, victims of the frenzied destruction of the utterly cruel invader. Sixty-nine faces, sixty-nine miseries, including 62-year-old female veteran Pham Thi Lan, who fought in the most brutal battles in Quang Tri. The dioxin rains not only killed grass and trees, scorched even the rocks and pebbles, but also destroyed entire lives and more. Lan, the carefree, innocent, and enthusiastic girl she was over sixty years ago, is now a delirious old woman, having undergone two brain surgeries, fighting for her life against the clutches of death.

Words of gratitude

As is customary, every year on the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27th, the Trade Union and the Veterans Association of the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities embark on a trip to visit and present gifts to war invalids and those who contributed to the cause of national reunification. This year's destination was the Center for the Care of Meritorious People in Thanh Hoa Province. Associate Professor Dr. Dang Xuan Khang, Chairman of the University's Trade Union, said: "This year, the Trade Union and the Veterans Association of the university visited and presented 200 gift packages and over 10 million VND, extracted from the Trade Union fund and contributions from the women's committee, during this trip. The gifts are not large, but they express our heartfelt concern and share in alleviating the pain that the war invalids are enduring."

The school's labor union presented gifts of gratitude to the Thanh Hoa Center for the Care of War Veterans (photo: Dinh Hau).

In his speech, Professor Vu Duc Nghieu, Vice Rector of the university, emotionally stated: “The visits and gift-giving activities of the Trade Union and the Veterans Association of the University are an expression of the spirit of remembering those who planted the seeds. Even ordinary people sometimes find it uncomfortable when a pebble gets in their shoes, let alone the wounded and disabled veterans here who are carrying the scars and aftereffects of war and the loss and sacrifice of a part of their lives. We hope that the mothers and brothers and sisters will accept our gratitude, wish you good health, always uphold the revolutionary tradition, and overcome the loss and suffering to live and continue to contribute.”

Ms. Bich Nga, a lecturer in the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language, is singing for war invalids and victims of Agent Orange (photo: Dinh Hau).

Ms. Bich Nga, a lecturer in the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Vietnamese Language, kept muttering to herself, "How sad! How sad!" when she saw people who had lost legs, arms, and even memory. Then she stood up and sang. She sang songs about soldiers and Hanoi as a heartfelt expression of compassion and respect for the wounded and disabled veterans. From that same heartfelt sentiment, she and the members of the delegation, mainly women from the Women's Union, contributed five million dong to support the Center. Receiving this small token of support, Mr. Luong The Tap, Director of the Center for the Care of Meritorious Individuals, said: "The Center regularly receives attention from various departments, the province, and the community through visits, encouragement, and gifts, not only for the wounded and disabled veterans but also for those who serve them." For the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular, this visit also demonstrates a humanitarian spirit, remembering those who sacrificed their lives, and serves as a valuable lesson about the history and present of those sons and daughters of the nation who shed their blood and are now bearing the consequences of war. We, from faculty to staff, understand the sentiments of the professors and promise to do our utmost to alleviate the suffering of the wounded and disabled veterans.

Looking back one last time to say goodbye to the Center, I wondered: on this resilient, S-shaped land, nearly forty years after the war ended, how many places still bear the scars of war, how many places still have people suffering because of the war, just like here?