From a young soldier to a Commune Chairman
On August 26, at the introduction of the leaders of the Party Committee of Truong Vinh ward and according to the appointment with the family, we went to the house of Mr. Nguyen Xuan Mao in Truong Thi 3 block, Truong Vinh ward, Nghe An province.
At the age of 98, Mr. Mao's hearing has decreased, walking is difficult, but his memory is still clear. Stories from nearly 80 years ago are told clearly by him, sometimes interspersed with humorous smiles.
Mr. Mao was born in 1928 into a family of 10 siblings. His father was a worker at Truong Thi Factory, his mother was a small trader. The family's life at that time was extremely difficult and deprived.
In 1947, following the call of the Fatherland, young Nguyen Xuan Mao, only 19 years old, enthusiastically enlisted in the army, participating in the propaganda armed unit.
After about a year of training, fighting and working, young soldier Nguyen Xuan Mao was considered for Party admission.
At that time, I didn't understand much about theory. I just thought that becoming a party member meant I had to strive harder, contribute more, and be more responsible to the Fatherland and homeland. When standing under the Party flag to take the oath, my hands were still shaking" - Mr. Mao recounted.
After that, he was sent to study and then worked at the military-political school. After 1954, transferring to the locality, the young cadre was trusted to be assigned the task of Chairman of Hung Dung Commune People's Committee.
That was also the period when the locality was still facing many difficulties and the population was dispersed. He and grassroots officials reorganized the people's lives, participated in local tasks, including tax reduction.
The more I work, the healthier I feel
From 1956 to 1961, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Mao worked at the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Water under the Ministry of Irrigation and Architecture, then studied technical materials at the Ministry of Light Industry in Hanoi and participated in Party work, working as Secretary of the Party cell at the school.
In 1962, he returned to Nghe An to work at Vinh Power Plant. In 20 years of attachment to the plant, he successively became Deputy Head of the Construction Team, Head of the Administration Department, and then Deputy Head of the Planning Department.
Part of the memories that made him particularly happy when recalling were the years working in the trade union.
I am gentle, tactful, rarely get angry with anyone, and often talk, know how to play the piano, so wherever I go, my brothers respect me, and then I am elected as a trade union official. Being a trade union official is tiring but fun, like being a daughter-in-law to a hundred families, having to take care of workers" - Mr. Mao said.
In September 1982, he retired. The couple saved up for a long time to buy a plot of land inside the alley to build a house, stabilize their lives and raise their children.
Returning to his locality, he continued to participate in block and hamlet work and collective activities.
I also get sick in old age, but the strange thing is that the more I work, the healthier I feel. People cherish me, trust me, so I keep doing it" - Mr. Mao happily said.
The couple has 10 children, 5 sons and 5 daughters. All children have grown up; some have become colonels, doctors, and some have held the position of Deputy Director of Vinh City Electricity.
Nearly eight decades have passed since the young soldier stood under the Party flag to take the oath. On May 19, 2026, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Mao was honored to be awarded the 80-year Party membership badge.
Mentioning this special award, the veteran party member slowly said: "I am extremely touched and proud. Living to this day, witnessing the great changes of the country under the leadership of the Party is a happiness. I hope and believe that the generation of leaders, the young generation today will follow in their fathers' footsteps, continue to build the country to become more and more beautiful and prosperous.
