The family helps twin brothers Chien and Thang in Sang Moi village, Du Sang commune, Kim Boi district, prepare their military gear in readiness for their call to serve in the army. 

A Father’s Story 

Amidst a crowd of tall, strong young men, Truong Thi Ngoc Anh from Re street, An Nghia commune, Lac Son district, stands out with a bright smile. As one of the 100 young volunteers from the district enlisting in 2025, she shares: "I am fortunate to have been born into a family with a long-standing tradition. My grandfather fought in the resistance during the anti-US resistance war, and my father also served in the military, defending the northern border in the early 1980s. I grew up hearing stories of their heroic battles and their victories...” 

One of the few university-educated women selected for joining the army this year, she couldn't hide her excitement. In her enlistment letter, she emotionally wrote: "The stories of hard, intense, but also courageous and resilient battles that my grandfather, father, and their comrades fought in have inspired us – the younger generation – to follow in their footsteps. We fully understand that the task of building and defending our fatherland is a significant responsibility, a sacred and noble duty for today’s youth.” 

where "steel" is forged 

Similar to Ngoc Anh, twins Bui Thanh Chien and Bui The Thang in Sang Moi village, Du Sang commune (Kim Boi), and Nguyen Dang Long from Dong Quyt village, Hoa Son commune (Luong Son), were all born into families with a military tradition, where both their fathers and brothers had served in the army. This proud family history has motivated these young men to volunteer for service. 

Bui Thi Nhinh, mother of Chien and Thang, expressed her emotions: "My family is extremely proud to see my children grow up and understand their responsibility to the nation. For us, their voluntary enlistment letters and the enlistment notifications they received are a great honour and source of pride.” 

Meanwhile, Long said with pride: "My decision to volunteer for the military stemmed from my sense of responsibility. Additionally, it was inspired by the stories and joy my older brother often shared about his military life. I see the two years of conscription as a chance to live, learn, and work in a grand school – one that will forge 'steel' in the youth, making us more mature. At the same time, it helps us deeply understand the value of young people’s responsibility and sacred duty towards the nation.” 

According to Colonel Trinh Duc Thiem, Commander of the provincial Military Command, among the 1,600 young men enlisting in the military this year, a large number have a strong sense of duty and responsibility, with many volunteering to serve, surpassing the recruitment target. What is particularly notable is a large number of volunteers being siblings, only children in their families, and even those who had been granted postponements.