During a late afternoon in March, DTiNews embarked to meet Ngo Thi Tuyen, a legendary hero involved in the Ham Rong Victory 45 years ago in Thanh Hoa Province.

Ngo Thi Tuyen at present

She now has become aged but we could feel friendliness and determination through her eyes and smile.

Tuyen shared with us her memories about the battle around the Ham Rong Bridge area 45 years ago. On the morning of April 3, 1965, when ammunition on a boat was running out, Ham Rong Bridge could have been destroyed if the Vietnamese ceased fire. Meanwhile, enemy aircraft was swarming through the sky. Under such dangerous and chaotic circumstances, Tuyen felt that she needed to provide her comrades with additional ammunition.

Unfortunately, two small-arm ammunition boxes were stuck together so strongly that she could not separate them. Tuyen decided to carry both of them on her shoulders, not knowing if she would be able to make it.

That night, there was intensive bombing raid on the Ham Rong Bridge area that resulted in 20 deaths.

That same year, Tuyen married, sadly, only 5 days after her wedding, her husband was asked to go to fight in Laos where he lost his life.

After the war, she was honoured to become one of the representatives for Thanh Hoa to attend a Heroes Meeting, 4th annual National Soldier Emulation Meeting on December 28, 1966. In addition, she was granted the title of, “Hero of the People's Armed Forces” by the State, the Uncle Ho Insignia in 1967 and many other honours.

For Tuyen, her greatest honour and moments of happiness were the three times she met the great Ho Chi Minh.

In 1978, she married again to Nguyen Van Nu, an invalid. He was sprayed with Agent Orange during the war so they could never have any children but, they adopted Dieu Linh, a daughter of a companion who died in the war.

At present, in addition to state allowance, Tuyen also has some extra income and takes part in local social activities. Annually, she donates VND6 million ($316) to disadvantaged pupils who have excellent study results in Thanh Hoa City.

Ngo Thi Tuyen 45 years ago