General articles are free for 24 hours after publish.
Vietnam: War Memories and Transgenerational Sense of Duty
The story of father and son Ca Văn Thỉnh and Ca Lê Hiến (poet Lê Anh Xuân), who both served on the secret "đi B" missions during the Vietnam War, is deeply moving. The father joined the mission in the South at 73, while the son perished during his service, a memory that continues to be honored in Vietnamese society.
The story of Ca Văn Thỉnh and his son Ca Lê Hiến (poet Lê Anh Xuân), who served on two generations of the secret "đi B" missions during the Vietnam War, is resonating deeply in contemporary Vietnamese society. Ca Lê Hiến, also known by his poet name Lê Anh Xuân, was the son of Ca Văn Thỉnh. He died in 1968 while on a "đi B" mission. His father, Ca Văn Thỉnh, took up the mantle of this dangerous service. In 1975, after the end of the Vietnam War, Ca Văn Thỉnh, at the age of 73, volunteered for the "đi B" mission into the South, following in his son's footsteps. This father-son narrative transcends individual tragedy or heroism. It symbolizes a transgenerational sense of duty, devotion to the homeland, and the profound bonds of family, all shaped by the tumultuous events of the Vietnam War. Under Vietnam's one-party system, loyalty and contribution to the state are strongly encouraged, and stories of personal sacrifice and dedication like this have played a crucial role in fostering national patriotism. "Đi B" refers to the clandestine operations where personnel from North Vietnam were sent into South Vietnam by the National Liberation Front (Viet Cong) for intelligence gathering and sabotage against the South Vietnamese government and U.S. forces. These missions were extremely perilous, with many operatives losing their lives. Ca Lê Hiến was one such operative, and his father's continuation of this mission highlights the sacrifices made by individuals for the nation's survival amidst the prevailing socio-political climate. In modern Vietnam, alongside rapid economic growth, the memories of past wars remain deeply ingrained in society. Such stories serve as a vital opportunity to convey the nation's history and the sacrifices of those who built it to younger generations. Furthermore, as Vietnam navigates its complex relationship with China while pursuing its own development, the importance of national unity and patriotism remains paramount. Source: The Saigon Times
Original source
The Saigon Times