In September, when the atmosphere towards National Day September 2 becomes bustling, memories of a time that has passed also return to the hearts of many veterans. Some have directly performed duties during the major holidays of the country; some have left the army many years ago but still retain the pride of a soldier.
For them, the joy in today's National Day is created from a long journey of the nation, a place of sweat, youth and sacrifice of many generations.
I have no regrets, I have contributed a very small thing to the Fatherland
That is the sharing of veteran Hoang Van Han in Kim Lien ward, Hanoi. He used to work at Company 43, Regiment 335, belonging to the Vietnamese volunteer army in Laos and lost one leg during the years of fighting in this battlefield.
For Mr. Han, National Day 2/9 is always a special day. It is a day associated with the birth of the Vietnamese State and the event of President Ho Chi Minh reading the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945.
National Day is a wonderful day. I like the word "wonderful", because it is a day associated with the birth of the State of Vietnam, with the Declaration of Independence read by President Ho Chi Minh in Ba Dinh Square. It is a day when the entire Vietnamese people look towards the Fatherland," Mr. Han said emotionally.
His youth was entrusted to the tasks of the country. The war took away a part of his body, along with many ambitions and aspirations of youth. However, looking back at the past journey, Mr. Han said that he had nothing to regret.
I am luckier than many comrades, I survived and returned and witnessed the country's peace and development. Returning to normal life, the important thing for us now is to live healthy, useful, and live worthy of the years we have contributed," he said.
Going with the country from war to peace, witnessing each step of change and living among today's young generation, Mr. Han believes that the gratitude of the Party, State and society to those who have contributed is a great source of encouragement.
He also placed many expectations on the young generation. According to him, each young person needs to strive to study, live decently, be responsible and become useful citizens, worthy of previous generations.
Silent tasks on National Day
For Mr. Chu Manh Hung, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, Chairman of the Kim Lien Ward Veterans Association, memories of National Day are associated with special tasks during the years he worked at the Air Defense - Air Force Service.
He directly participated in ensuring flight operations to serve the Military Parade on September 2, 1985, the event commemorating the 40th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. At that time, the force performing technical assurance tasks at the airport had to prepare very early, ready to serve flights during the anniversary.
The weather at that time was also a significant challenge. Rain and bad weather conditions can directly affect flight operations. However, for soldiers, the assigned task must be completed, regardless of difficulty. "Sleeped shoes stepping onto spaceships, with nothing on their stomachs, still serving flight," Mr. Hung said.
Those seemingly very small details, after decades, have become unforgettable memories. Because in the memory of soldiers, major holidays are not only flags and solemn moments, but also quiet preparation hours, hasty meals and high concentration to complete tasks.
In 2025, when the country organized many activities to celebrate the 80th National Day, Mr. Hung returned to normal life, no longer directly performing tasks as before. However, witnessing large-scale commemorative activities and changes in the country, he still feels proud.
The country's renovation as it is today is the dream of many generations," Mr. Hung said.
According to Mr. Hung, in the past time, the country implementing a two-level government is also an inevitable thing in history. "To enter the era of rise and fall, it is necessary to have a public apparatus that is qualified to operate the country," he emphasized.
Wanting to contribute and dedicate" is still the mindset of soldiers, although they are old, the only difference is that today they contribute through propaganda, mobilization, education and community encouragement.
Keep memories so that future generations can better understand history
For former artilleryman Ngo Sy Nguyen, the big holidays of the country are always an opportunity to recall a time of youth. He was the number 1 artilleryman on tank 390, participated in the Ho Chi Minh Campaign and was present at the Independence Palace on the day the country was unified on April 30, 1975.
More than half a century has passed, the images of the war are still preserved by him through photos and stories about his comrades. But looking back at that journey, he does not see what he has experienced as personal merit.
We are soldiers, each person has a job to focus on victory. No one can do that alone! The entire resistance people, the entire nation contribute together," Mr. Nguyen said.
Therefore, for him, the joy in today's National Day always goes hand in hand with gratitude. Behind the peaceful life and changes of the country is a long journey, including those who have dedicated their youth to mission and those who will never return.
He still keeps photos recording a part of the soldier's life. For him, it is not simply personal memories, but also a way to preserve memories of a generation that has gone through war so that future generations can better understand those years.
We are very grateful to history and the martyrs and compatriots who sacrificed themselves for us to reach the glorious destination," he shared.
In peacetime, the soldiers of that year are now in their twilight years. They no longer stand in the squad like in their youth, nor do they perform heavy tasks as before.
Instead, they quietly watch the country change, participate in work that is within their ability, remind later generations of history and preserve memories of those who have passed away.
Perhaps for them, the most practical way to celebrate National Day is not to talk much about the past years, but to look at the present with simple joy. That is a peaceful country, life is getting better and better, the young generation is educated and has the opportunity to build the future.
