The subjects going to B were initially the armed forces, but after the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam was established (December 1960) and the revolutionary movement entered a new phase, the subjects going to B were expanded, from engineers, doctors, to teachers, artists, reporters... were all mobilized to go to the South to fight and work.
Going to B was completely secret, managed by the Central Unification Committee and cadres going to B had to send back their personal belongings, records, souvenirs and all their resumes, cadre cards, Party cards, Youth Union cards, family photos and diaries.
During the period from 1961 to 1973, there were 10 B trips with more than 2,700 teachers leaving the podiums of high schools and universities in Hanoi and the provinces and cities in the North, crossing Truong Son to the South, being assigned to important battlefields, from the Central - Central Highlands to the East - Southwest and becoming "teachers with guns".
As for the inner-city teachers, they were not the ones who fought with guns, but the teachers who worked quietly in the cities of the South, a force that made a very important contribution to spreading revolutionary ideology, encouraging patriotism and fighting to protect national culture right in the heart of the enemy, a part that participated in developing liberation education in the bases and enemy rear areas.
Sharing at the meeting, teacher Trinh Hong Son emotionally recounted: "Our group went to B in 1964, had to overcome many difficulties, hardships, and dangers lurking at every step. Along the way, there were comrades who sacrificed, but everyone was ready to overcome to go to the South to fight.
We were able to cross Truong Son because at that time we had only one thought: how to go to the South, liberate the South and unify the country."
At the meeting, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Ho Hai shared that with love for the Fatherland, aspiration for peace, national unity and dedication to the noble cause of educating people, teachers are truly shining examples of revolutionary teacher qualities, contributing to the glorious history of the country's education.
The valuable lessons about the will, determination, dedication and enthusiasm of teachers are the motivation for the next generations to overcome all difficulties and challenges in life and work. The next generation is always grateful and appreciates what teachers have done for the country.
"In the past time, the Party Committee, government and people of the city have tried to do everything possible to show gratitude to the outstanding children from all over the country who sacrificed their blood and left a part of their body on this land. However, there are still some unresolved issues that must continue to be listened to, recorded and thoroughly resolved in the coming time," Mr. Nguyen Ho Hai shared.
