At the meeting, Nguyen Thi Hoa, head of the company’s liaison board, reviewed the unit’s history and its recognition as a Hero of the People’s Armed Forces. Established on December 18, 1968, the female drivers’ platoon, which later became the company, brought together young volunteers and soldiers who underwent intensive training for transport duties during the resistance war.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam speaks at the meeting with members of the Truong Son Female Drivers’ Company in Hanoi on October 27. (Photo: VNA)
The women learned to drive and repair vehicles before navigating dangerous routes under heavy bombing to transport supplies to the battlefield and evacuate wounded soldiers. Each successful journey strengthened frontline forces and helped save the lives of fellow soldiers.In recognition of their contributions during the war, the company was awarded the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces in 2014. Its commander, Phung Thi Vien, was posthumously awarded the same honour.
At the meeting, General Secretary and President Lam extended his warm regards and profound gratitude to the women and their families, and sent his best wishes to those unable to attend.
He affirmed that the Party, State and people will always remember those who devoted their lives to the nation. Having sacrificed their youth for the country, the veterans deserve to live in peace, receive timely medical care and assistance when facing difficulties, and have their concerns heard.
Acknowledging the Ministry of National Defence’s efforts to support the veterans, the top leader called for close monitoring of the implementation of previously assigned tasks and further action to address outstanding difficulties. He asked the ministry to work with local authorities and the liaison board to review each woman’s circumstances and support needs.
He also directed military medical facilities to coordinate with local healthcare providers to offer health checks, treatment and rehabilitation tailored to individual needs, with particular attention to veterans in poor health, those with limited mobility, and those without a stable income or family support.
Local authorities, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnam Veterans Association and the Vietnam Women’s Union were urged to work with the liaison board to arrange regular visits and provide timely assistance. The Ministry of National Defence was tasked with helping maintain annual reunions and reporting on the implementation of assigned measures.
Expressing gratitude to families and organisations that have supported the veterans over the years, General Secretary and President Lam called for continued, sustained care, stressing that looking after people who rendered service to the nation is both a moral duty and a political responsibility. As Vietnam develops, those who made great sacrifices for the country must receive better care, with the fruits of development reflected in their lives and those of their families.
