Meet the hero of U Minh Thuong forest

We went to U Minh Thuong area (Kien Giang province), where Colonel - Labor Hero Bang Van Dom (commonly known as Muoi Dom) has been attached to for nearly a century and this is also the place that brought him the noble title: Labor Hero of the renovation period and "People of the forest".

Although he has turned 96, and has just undergone a long period of treatment, in a wheelchair, he still welcomes us with a gentle smile, his sharp eyes and a diligent mind.

Youth dyed smoke

With a steadfast voice, Mr. Muoi Dom recalled his first days participating in the revolution when he was only 15 years old, belonging to the Kim Quy Hamlet Youth Union. At that time, every young man wanted to fight with a gun, he said.

Growing up with the smoke of war, he became a People's Public Security soldier, penetrated into the hearts of the enemy, and built a secret base. The stories about reconnaissance missions and short-lived escapes were told by him as if everything had just happened yesterday.

Forever, who would not be afraid of death? But thinking about compatriots, when independence and freedom come, fear will turn into strength," he confided.

According to Mr. Muoi Dom, this is the area of many leading agencies in the Southwest region, such as: Military Region 9 Party Committee and Military Region 9, Security Department of Region 9, Rach Gia Provincial Party Committee... so the enemy often launched sweeps in many forms (such as: helicopters, long-distance transport equipment, small fleets on the river...). Of which, there were 3 campaigns launched "U Minh Grass Kicking".

"Even every time they hit a place, there are more bombs and bullets, they bring them to the U Minh forest to dump like to throw all the garbage before going to the cave" - Mr. Muoi Dom said.

Love for the forest

In 1997, after completing his duties as a police officer, Colonel Bang Van Doi retired. But he did not choose a comfortable life to enjoy, he rushed to continue to contribute to his hometown when he accepted the position of Head of the U Minh Thuong Special Protection Forest Management Board. And from here he stepped up to a new position, became a Labor Hero and was honored by the people as the "forest king".

When taking on the new assignment, Mr. Muoi Doi wondered: "How can forests survive, but people can also live thanks to forests?". He started bold projects. "Tram is U Minh's tree. We have to grow cajuput!.

The Colonel decided to mobilize all human resources from the prison to urgently clear the desolate land, applying the cajuput cultivation method in his own way. Immediately, thousands of hectares of cajuput forest grew well under the hands of him and his teammates. "A cajuput tree is like a friend, I understand it, it understands me," he laughed gently.

Not only does he plant forests, he also struggles to find ways to help people escape poverty. The man who invented the square excavator of the bulbs of alum, helped people grow rice, fish, and crops has changed the lives of many families. "At that time, there was a lot of alum, there was nothing to do. Now it's different," he said, his voice full of pride.

Thanks to his tireless efforts, U Minh Thuong is today not only the green lung of the West but also a sustainable source of life for local people. In 2016, U Minh Thuong National Park was also recognized as a world Ramsar site.

The legacy of a legend

Meeting Colonel Peng Van Doi, we not only heard historical stories but also felt the great love of a veteran soldier for the country, for nature and for people. Mr. Muoi Doi is a vivid testament to the saying "golden forest and silver sea" of Vietnam, where people can live in harmony with nature, exploit and protect sustainably.

Before leaving, despite weakness, those hands still held us tightly, instructing: "Must protect the forest as if it were for our own health and life".