For troops of Regiment 764 under the Nghe An provincial Military Command and Division 342 under Military Region 4, their recent days off have become “days of special duty” since they remain on-site to clear mud to assist local residents’ recovery efforts.
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On a Saturday, troops of Regiment 764 help local residents recover from the recent flood. |
These soldiers arrived in the locality in the early days following the flood. They have been having meals with, worked side-by-side with local people, and when the weekend comes, they choose to stay rather than return to their barracks. Sergeant Quang Van Huy, head of Squad 3, Platoon 1, Company 1, Battalion 41, Regiment 764, shared while helping residents in Area 4 that after the flood, many places are still submerged in mud. “As long as I am still in good health condition, I can’t bear to rest while people are still struggling,” he stressed.
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Troops from Division 324 continue their relief efforts over the weekend. |
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Soldiers diligently assist locals in post-flood cleanup and repair. |
After the historical flood, Muong Xen commune has become a vast construction site. Everyday life has been turned upside down. Roads are coated in mud; waste is strewn everywhere; and homes, markets, and schools are all in urgent need of repair. While people remain overwhelmed and exhausted, the soldiers were among the first to arrive, immediately starting their relief tasks.
Unfazed by hardship, these young soldiers wield their shovels and hoes without pause. Despite unpredictable weather with blazing sun one moment, rainfall the next, Uncle Ho’s soldiers continue clearing mud and drainage system, and repairing homes for locals.
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Local residents offer water to soldiers. |
“They have been helping us all week. I thought they would rest over the weekend, but here they are, working under the blazing sun. My house was buried in over a meter of mud. I had to take my child to the hospital, and when I returned, everything was gone, only a damaged frame and an altar remained. Over the past few days, these troops have helped my family clean up, little by little. Watching them work so hard, I am deeply moved,” emotionally said Ha Thi Cuc from Area 1.
Overseeing the relief efforts, Colonel Nguyen Toan Thang, Political Commissar of Regiment 764, could not hide his pride at the dedication shown by his officers and soldiers. “For troops to be present in times of hardship is not merely a duty or a gesture of compassion. It is a precious tradition and the nature of the Vietnam People’s Army,” Thang said. He went on to say that troops always bear in mind that whenever the people need them, troops must be there, whether it is a weekday or a weekend.
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Trekking through rugged terrains, the medical staff from the Nghe An provincial Military Command provide free medicines to 39 households in Nhan Cu village, Muong Xen commune. |
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Military medical personnel coordinate with local health workers to provide free health check-ups and medicines to residents of Muong Xen commune. |
The officer emphasized that it is the pro-active, volunteer and responsible spirit of Uncle Ho’s soldiers that leaves a deep impression on local residents. “There is no command stronger than the call from the heart. Every officer and soldier willingly puts aside their own needs to help the people recover from natural disaster. That spirit touches us deeply and fills us with pride,” Thang emphasized.
Through their quiet but meaningful deeds, these soldiers have left a profound impression on the flood-affected community. For them, standing with the people in hard times, even on days off, is both a responsibility and a source of pride.
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Disinfecting areas in Nhan Cu village |
In these mountainous regions where challenges abound, the bond between the military and the people grows even stronger. Whenever the people are in need, the soldiers are ready to set aside personal time to stand by their side. It is these "non-resting rest days" that shape the humble yet noble image of the Vietnamese soldier. It has helped further tighten the close bond between the military and the people.
Translated by Mai Huong