At the age of 102, Heroic Vietnamese Mother Phan Thi Mui in Dong Quang ward, Thanh Hoa province, the oldest living Heroic Vietnamese Mother in the province, remains lucid and gentle, a witness to more than a century of history.

On a face marked by the passage of time  is the gaze a mother who has endured war, loss, and sacrifice, yet never lost  her faith in the country. Every July, her house welcomes officials, soldiers, Youth Union members, and young people who come to visit and pay tribute. Every handshake and word of gratitude carries forward the Vietnamese tradition of “When drinking water, remember its source,” linking today’s generation with those who gave everything for national independence and freedom.

Reporters of the People’s Army Newspaper captured simple moments from Phan Thi Mui’s life. Having devoted her youth to the Fatherland, she has become a living symbol of patriotism, sacrifice, and enduring Vietnamese values.

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Every wrinkle on her face seems like a quiet pause in history, preserving memories of the years of war and sacrifices that can never be compensated for.
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After 102 years of life, her eyes still reflect the faith and serenity of someone who gave what was most precious to the Fatherland.
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Senior Colonel Hoang Van Hanh, Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Association for Supporting Families of Martyrs, and local authorities visit Heroic Vietnamese Mother Phan Thi Mui and presents her with gifts.
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Students gathering around her, listening attentively as she recalled the wartime years, passing the tradition of gratitude from one generation to the next
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In another quiet moment, Mother Mui tenderly held a portrait of her soldier son, who never returned home. There are losses that can never be made up for, but they continue to be embraced by the affection and gratitude of the community.
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“For more than 50 years, I have waited for my children to come home every day at mealtime. Today, will you stay and have a meal with me?” Mui said, holding our hands and asking us to share a meal with her.

Translated by Chung Anh