The couple in this week’s story are Mrs. Trinh Thi Chanh (76 years old) and Mr. Dinh Phong (78 years old). Both of them were soldiers in the war, contributing to the defense of the country.
Before becoming husband and wife, Ms. Trinh Chanh spent 5 years in the youth volunteer force, then worked at an agency in Quang Ninh.
They met while working together in Quang Ninh, when Ms. Trinh Chanh was 20 years old and Mr. Dinh Phong was 22 years old. Through conversations, their empathy blossomed into love.
When asked if she would have chosen Mr. Phong if she had more choices, Ms. Trinh Chanh confided: “I would love to marry a soldier or a youth volunteer. We have similar circumstances. He is my first love.”
After they got married in 1971, both continued their work, Mr. Phong worked as a laborer, Mrs. Chanh worked in unit 409 producing bricks and tiles.
After getting married (with a simple wedding ceremony), their life became more difficult, they were given a small house. Two years later, Mr. Phong was assigned to work in the maritime industry.
After the liberation of the South, Mr. Phong was sent to the South as part of the reinforced technical staff. The couple began a four-year separation when she gave birth to their first child.
During this time, Ms. Chanh raised her young children alone, facing many difficulties, working and taking care of her children at the same time.
Despite the distance, Mr. Phong always encouraged Mrs. Chanh and visited home one or two days every month.
After four years apart, Mrs. Chanh followed her husband to the South. Life in the new land was difficult. Due to the after-effects of malaria and the hard work, she had to retire early. She sold medicine at the Department of Transport of Tien Giang province, while Mr. Phong continued his job as a train driver in the Mekong Delta. Despite the hardships of life, their love remained strong.
Then, the family had an unplanned third child, making life even more difficult. In the 1990s, the eldest daughter moved to Ho Chi Minh City to attend university. Thanks to thrift, they were able to buy a house. The children grew up and had their own families. Currently, the grandparents live with their youngest child.
After more than half a century together, Mrs. Chanh and Mr. Phong found happiness not in material things but in the attachment, love, and sacrifice for each other.
At the end of the program, the couple expressed their sincere love and deep gratitude to each other.
