After the torrential rain in the last days of July, the Hanoi sky brightened up, with light rays of sunlight shining down on the shady yard of the Center for Nurturing and Nursing People with Meritorious Services No. 4 of Hanoi. I visited the center right on the last day of the nursing campaign for people with meritorious services in Gia Lam and Thuan An communes (Hanoi).
What impressed me deeply was the welcoming and cheerfulness of the elderly men and women who came to nurse here, even though they were at the age of "seventy years old", their health was already weak and their bodies still had intact injuries and disabilities left by the war.
In the large hall, the atmosphere of the cultural exchange to say goodbye to the nursing regime was extremely warm. When the melodies that have stood the test of time rose, I caught tearful eyes full of emotion. In that moment, it seemed that all the hardships of the past or the destruction of time disappeared, giving way to pride and sacred comradeship.
After nearly a week of nursing at the center, people with meritorious services are not only comprehensively cared for physically but also live in a space filled with affection. Choking to listen to each meaningful melody, Mr. Dang Thanh Lam (Gia Lam commune, Hanoi) - a veteran participating in the nursing course shared: "These days here, we are taken care of every meal, sleep, and health monitoring very attentively by the nursing team and center staff. The most precious thing is the opportunity to meet veterans who shared the same time of bombs and bullets, sit together, and listen back to the stories of the battlefield in the past. We feel like we are reliving the most beautiful and proud years of our youth.
Sharing the same feeling, Mr. Dao Ba Hong (Thuan An commune, Hanoi) excitedly recalled his experiences during the holiday: "I have been in a nursing home many times. In the past few days, after being treated, steaming, acupressure, and visiting relics... everyone's spirits have become much more excited.
To bring a complete and meaningful time to 139 people with meritorious services in this nursing period, the Center for Nursing and Nursing People with Meritorious Services No. 4 Hanoi has built a diverse, scientific and thoughtful care process. Right from the first stage, the center has arranged vehicles to transport people with meritorious services directly from localities to the center and vice versa. Regarding medical work, all people with meritorious services are undergoing general health check-ups, and are specializedly examined by doctors from Military Hospital 103, performing ultrasound, electrocardiograms...
In particular, a modern health recovery therapy system is operated to the maximum to serve the elderly, including infrared pulse, foot steam, full body hot stone steam, showers and massage machines. In parallel with that is a series of rich spiritual activities such as: organizing visits to two historical and cultural sites; organizing a warm birthday party for people with meritorious services whose birthdays coincide with the month of nursing; screening documentaries; organizing gentle sports competitions...
In 2026, the centralized nursing target assigned to the center is 4,000 people with meritorious services from 23 wards and communes of Hanoi. As of July 25, 2026, the unit has nursed 2,186 people with meritorious services, reaching 54.65%. In addition to the rotational nursing task, the center is also regularly caring for and nurturing 4 seriously wounded and sick soldiers.
Sharing about the work of the unit, Ms. Duong Tuyet Nhung - Director of the Center for Nurturing and Nursing People with Meritorious Services No. 4 Hanoi expressed: "On the occasion of the War Invalids and Martyrs' Day July 27, the work of caring for people with meritorious services is increasingly focused on improving. However, for the collective of officials and employees at the center, not only July but all 365 days of the year are a journey of endless gratitude. We always strive our best to bring to the aunts and uncles the most relaxed resting space, the best medical care regime, helping the elderly reminisce about the days of bombs and bullets with all respect and pride.
Leaving the center, the images of smiles, warm handshakes of the elderly men and women and the nursing staff still linger. Those nursing trips full of affection are a solid spiritual support, contributing to compensating for the pain and injuries of wartime, so that the elderly can live happily and healthily in the peace and respect of today's peace.
