On February 13, across the country, tens of thousands of young men officially enlisted, carrying with them their ambitions, youthful enthusiasm and pride in wearing the soldier's uniform.
At 3am, when the night fog and the sweet cold were still covering the area, the small house at the foot of the mountain in Go Khanh hamlet, Kim Boi commune, Kim Boi district, Hoa Binh province was already lit up. For Ms. Bui Thi Binh (mother of new soldier Bui Binh An), today was a special day - the day her eldest son set out to answer the sacred call of the Fatherland.
While his mother prepared breakfast for the whole family, rookie Bui Binh An took the opportunity to walk around the house, saying goodbye to the dear things that had been with him since birth.
Unable to hide her excitement, Ms. Binh confided: “Last night I couldn’t sleep, just tossing and turning waiting for the morning. I had mixed emotions, both excited and worried about my child.”
As soon as the sky was light, the new soldier Bui Binh An finished preparing his military equipment to leave. Greetings and wishes for good health filled the small neighborhood, good wishes were sent to the footsteps of the new soldier who was about to turn twenty.
Sharing the same feelings with mothers whose children are joining the army, but for Ms. Bui Thi Hieu (Hung Son commune, Kim Boi district - mother of twin recruits Bui Quyen Anh and Bui Duc Vuong who voluntarily wrote an application to join the army), the pride is multiplied many times.
"Having two children on the road together doubles the pride but also doubles the worry, but most of all, both parents believe that in the army, their children will become more mature and stronger," Ms. Hieu confided.
At Kim Boi district stadium, many relatives and people also came to encourage the new soldiers to join the army.
Many relatives could not hide their emotions as each convoy of vehicles carrying the soldiers gradually rolled away, carrying with them the dreams and ambitions of many young people of Muong land.
Colonel Trinh Duc Thiem, Commander of the Military Command of Hoa Binh province, said that the whole province will hand over 1,600 citizens to join the Army and 358 citizens to perform the People's Public Security service, an increase of 95 people compared to 2024.
In particular, the quality of military recruitment has been significantly improved thanks to a strict screening, preliminary selection and medical examination process. A notable highlight is the sharp increase in the number of young volunteers applying for military service, reaching 303 people, 50% higher than the previous year. Of these, 164 citizens were honored to be admitted to the Party right before their departure.
It is noteworthy that there are many cases of volunteering to join the army despite being temporarily deferred, many brothers in the same family wrote applications to join the army, even twins and only children in the family.
In the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony, the oaths resounded with great enthusiasm. They - the children of the country - promised to train their bravery and hold their guns firmly to protect the peace of the Fatherland.
