Cuba’s Latin American News Agency Prensa Latina has expressed deep respect while reporting the inspiring journey of Tran Van Thanh, a 76-year-old Vietnamese veteran who is travelling more than 1,200 kilometers from Vinh city of Nghe An province to Ho Chi Minh City by motorbike to attend the grand celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - 2025).

Prensa Latina article reports on Tran Van Thanh's journey. (Photo: VNA)
Prensa Latina article reports on Tran Van Thanh's journey. (Photo: VNA)

In its article published on April 24, Prensa Latina particularly highlighted the image of the elderly soldier in his worn military uniform, riding an old motorbike, with the national flag waving throughout his journey. Thanh's belongings are simple, just a suitcase of clothes and a box for cooking.

According to the news agency, the trip of the Vietnamese veteran at his advanced age has become an inspiring phenomenon. Online communities have widely shared emotional moments from his journey, continuously updating information, expressing their willingness to support him, and sending wishes for his safe journey across the long distance.

It reported that Thanh was a former soldier of Battalion K3 - Tam Dao in Quang Tri province. From 1968 to 1974, he and his comrades fought to protect the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, one of the fiercest battlefields at that time. 

This Vietnamese veteran began his journey on April 17, travelling 150-200 kilometers each day.

On his way southward, the former soldier stopped at the Vinh Linh Martyrs' Cemetery and the old battlefield of the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel to offer incense in remembrance of his comrades who sacrificed their lives along the northern bank of the Ben Hai River, which was once the border between North and South Vietnam. 

The article quoted Thanh as saying that he wants to travel by motorbike not only to revisit the old battlefield, but also to witness the development and changes in the villages, provinces, and cities along the route after 50 years of national reunification.

Thanh's journey is not just a personal story, but has also become a living symbol of the connection between the glorious past and the present, a testament to the deep patriotism and immortal spirit of the Vietnamese people. This story has deeply moved and inspired Latin American readers, evoking admiration and respect.

Source: VNA


 


Related Topics


Challenges from population aging

Many countries are grappling with rapidly aging population. As population aging becomes an irreversible global trend with significant impacts on economic and social sectors, nations face the urgent task of creating flexible policies to adapt to and make the most of this trend to build prosperous and sustainable societies.

World tourism industry promotes potential and cohesion

With a series of stimulus measures, the world tourism industry is on the way to recovery as before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Facing the opportunity to take off, the "smokeless industry” is expected to strongly contribute to global economic growth while promoting potential and cohesion, contributing to peace and sustainable development.

Existential danger from COVID-19 pandemic

The danger from the COVID-19 pandemic is still latent, threatening people’s health and lives in the context that the immunity provided from the COVID-19 vaccine has decreased. Many other dangerous diseases are also likely to break out when the global vaccination rate slows down, due to inequality in access to health services, vaccine hesitancy, and consequences of economic recession.

Vietnam among ASEAN countries recording EV sales surge

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is witnessing a rise in the sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, according to Maybank Investment Bank Research (Maybank IB Research).

International friends bid farewell to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

The respect paying ceremony for Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong continued on the morning of July 26 at the National Funeral Hall in Hanoi, with high-level delegations from foreign countries and international organisations paying their last respects and expressing deep condolences.

Global outpouring of grief for Vietnamese Party chief

A wave of condolences have poured in from world leaders, international organisations, rulling parties, Communist parties and partner parties following the death of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.