In celebrations marking the 81st anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1944-2025) and the 36th All-People’s National Defense Day (December 22, 1989-2025), local Veterans’ Associations have partnered with schools to organize traditional education programs that connect students with living witnesses of history.
At Nguyen Trai Primary School in Dien Hong Ward, an extracurricular session titled “Stories from the fiery years - An everlasting epic!” featured veterans who had directly participated in combat or supported military operations. Through personal recollections, they recreated a heroic period of national resistance in ways that were accessible and emotionally resonant for young audiences.
A focal point of the program was the story of People’s Armed Forces Hero Nguyen Van Nhuong. Between 1967 and 1972, he took part in 175 battles, shot down 13 aircraft, destroyed two tanks and eliminated 54 enemy soldiers.
He was awarded the title of People’s Armed Forces Hero by the President of Vietnam in 2010. His calm narration of battlefield memories, delivered in uniform adorned with medals, left a strong impression on teachers and students alike.
According to Le Thi Thu, head of the Youth Team at Nguyen Trai Primary School, the school organizes annual traditional education activities with the local Veterans’ Association, but this year’s event was especially meaningful because students were able to interact directly with a nationally honored war hero from their own community.
Similar initiatives were held in Thong Nhat Ward on December 13 and 15, where the ward’s Veterans’ Association worked with five schools to conduct storytelling sessions attended by nearly 4,000 staff, teachers and students. Depending on each school’s conditions, the programs were integrated into flag-raising ceremonies or extracurricular activities, sharing a common goal of making history tangible through real-life stories.
One highlight was the themed session “Grandparents tell, grandchildren listen,” organized on December 15 at Nguyen Ba Ngoc Primary School. The combination of storytelling and interactive question-and-answer exchanges encouraged active student participation. During the event, the Veterans’ Association also presented 10 gifts to students facing difficult circumstances, reinforcing values of compassion and solidarity.
Vo Thi Thanh Nga, head of the school’s youth team, said the interactive format helped sustain students’ interest while conveying historical lessons. Fifth-grade student Pham Hoang Khanh Nhu said the stories deepened her understanding of local history and strengthened her love for her homeland.
Veterans’ Associations at all levels have identified revolutionary tradition education for young people as a core political task. Each year, associations at the commune and ward levels coordinate with Youth Union organizations, military commands and Fatherland Front members to organize storytelling sessions tailored to different age groups. Formats range from oral history and interactive exchanges to dramatizations and visits to historical sites.
Tran Van Hoi, vice chairman of the Veterans’ Association of Dien Hong Ward, said the selection of local historical figures and stories helps students relate more closely to the past and take pride in their hometown. In Thong Nhat Ward, eight dedicated propaganda teams have been established to ensure regular and consistent implementation of these activities in residential areas and schools.
Pham Xuan Vinh, chairman of the Veterans’ Association of Thong Nhat Ward, emphasized that sessions are designed to be concise, visual and age-appropriate, with interaction playing a central role in maintaining engagement.
At the provincial level, Pham Manh Hung, vice chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and chairman of the Provincial Veterans’ Association, said close coordination with schools has led to positive changes in how revolutionary history is taught.
He noted that these efforts help students better understand the resilience and sacrifices of earlier generations during the wars of resistance, while fostering gratitude, national pride and a sense of responsibility to contribute to and defend the country today.
