Stories from Songs: A Discussion on the Honorable Title of Uncle Ho's Soldiers

The poem Soldiers Return to the Village by poet Hoang Trung Thong is included in the 3rd-grade Vietnamese language textbook. Its deeply evocative content, rhythm, language, and simple yet memorable imagery resonate with readers. In 1950, composer Le Yen set the poem to music and created the song "Soldiers Return to the Village," which quickly spread and was warmly received by audiences nationwide. The lyrics, rich in  the spirit of military- civilian unity, and the simple, rustic imagery naturally expressed the heartfelt sentiments of the people towards Uncle Ho's Soldiers during those years of resistance.

The Stories from Songs  explores  the origins of the song   with the participation of several guests: Major General Hoang Anh Tuan – Vice Chairman of the Truong Son Tradition Association; Colonel Tran Hoang Tien – Chief Secretary of the Military Newspaper Editorial Office; Dr. Tran Hoang Oanh – Doctor at the 112 Institute of the Military Medical Department; and Veteran Le Hong Huan – Heroic Truong Son Soldier awarded by Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan.

Major General Hoang Anh Tuan, who has   many years of wartimeexperience, said that the song "Soldiers Return to the Village" brings back a flood of memories. During the Quang Tri Campaign of 1972, many troops were sent to reinforce the Quang Tri battlefield. Sometimes they would march through villages for a short time, other times they would have  to stay for days in villages like Vinh Linh (Vinh Linh Commune, Quang Tri Province). He recalled that due to the large number of troops, they often had to disperse and stay in different villages. Villagers would offer their homes and bunkers to the soldiers, provide them with rice and food, and even give up their beds for the wounded, taking care of them as if they were their own children.

The program also discussed the proposal to designate the title Uncle Ho's Soldiers as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Colonel Tran Hoang Tien stated: "Currently, the People's Army Newspaper is hosting a forum on the title Uncle Ho's Soldiers - Deserving of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, which has garnered significant public attention. Many scientists, army  generals, and various population segments affirm the unique and special value of this title, and they hope the authorities will consider recognizing it as a national intangible cultural heritage. This official legal recognition would serve as a foundation to promote the title's value in the cause of national defense and construction, and for protecting and developing it in the new era".

Colonel Tran Hoang Tien also emphasized that "Uncle Ho's Soldiers" is a unique cultural product imbued with profound public sentiment, created, affirmed, and perpetuated by the people themselves. It is a product, or more precisely, a priceless spiritual heritage that embodies high and enduring cultural values and reflects the nation's unique history.