During the fierce years of the resistance war against the US, Quang Ninh Mining Region left its mark with two vibrant emulation movements: “Three ready” of the youth and “Three capable” of women. Not only did these movements contribute to maintaining the production rhythm, they also fueled the frontline, affirming the pioneering role of the heroic land of workers.

"Three Ready" - Fire from the Mines

In 1964, the resistance war against the US entered a tense phase. To prepare the youth and people for the war, on May 19, 1964, the province launched the "Three Readies" movement. From the initial target of young workers, the movement spread to the youth of the entire province. "Three Readies" are: "Ready to fight; ready to join the armed forces; ready to go anywhere, do anything the Fatherland needs".

On August 5, 1964, the first war of destruction in the North began. The American invaders frantically bombarded the Mining Region, but the youth of Quang Ninh had been trained and were ready to face it. The whole province fought bravely, shooting down 3 American planes and capturing the first enemy pilot in the North. Heroic examples such as Le Sy Hang, who despite his broken leg still tied his leg to the cannon wall to continue fighting, or Dong Quoc Binh, who was wounded with his intestines exposed but calmly stuffed them back in, continuing to hold the gun firmly... made the spirit of "Three ready" shine. An entire generation of young men in the Mining Region did not hesitate to volunteer to go to battle, ready to sacrifice for the Fatherland.

Responding to the “Local Mobilization Order” of our State and President Ho Chi Minh’s call to fight against the US and save the country on July 17, 1966, a family with 4 children fighting on the battlefield still applied for their 5th son to join the army. Many demobilized military officers transferred their jobs and applied for re-enlistment, many police officers volunteered to go to the South to strengthen the security forces in the South. Many Southern cadres who had gathered in the North and were working in Quang Ninh volunteered to return to the South to fight. On July 22, 1966, 3,000 militiamen and self-defense forces of Yen Hung district (mostly young people) held an armed rally, raising the slogan: “Determined to implement the call of July 17, 1966 of President Ho Chi Minh”, ready to join the army, ready to go anywhere, do anything when the Fatherland and people needed them. Hon Gai town has 3,214 young people applying for re-enlistment and enlistment, 1,293 young people joining the shock force.

On July 30, 1967, at the Bach Dang Cinema, Hon Gai town, the Provincial Party Committee and People's Committee of Quang Ninh province solemnly held a ceremony to announce the establishment of the "Coal Corps", sending off the best sons of the mining land to join the army to fight in the South. From 1965 to 1968, every year Quang Ninh province exceeded the military recruitment target (from 2% or more). In particular, by mid-March 1975, the whole province exceeded the target by 16% and was one of the two provinces that most excellently completed the recruitment of troops to support the battlefield, which was commended by the Military Region and the Government. These actions demonstrated the boundless affection of the Party Committee and the people of Quang Ninh for their compatriots in the South and compatriots and soldiers nationwide.

Youth volunteer teams, shock troops, and red flag youth teams were established one after another to serve the fight and be ready to fight, overcoming the consequences of war. Quang Ninh youth were filled with enthusiasm with the slogans: “Hammer in hand - Gun in hand”; “Plow in hand - Gun in hand”, “Pen in hand - Gun in hand”… Hundreds of exemplary youths who were both good at production and good at fighting were commended by the Provincial Youth Union.

In production, with his intelligence, creativity, and drilling techniques of comrade Vu Huu Son, Deo Nai coal mine conquered the underground even in the hardest rock and soil. Or the tunnel digging team of Mr. Dao Xuan Ngoc, Thong Nhat underground mine, the outer trough team of Cua Ong coal screening company, thanks to technical innovations, continuously improved productivity, while participating in combat duty and shooting down American aircraft. In early 1965, Uncle Ho visited Quang Ninh and attended a rally at Hon Gai High School, where he praised the two leading production teams of the youth movement, Vu Huu Son and Dao Xuan Ngoc. Later, Vu Huu Son was awarded the title of Labor Hero.

Besides, it is impossible not to mention the “Dien Bien Phu” coal campaign with the target of 3.2 million tons of coal; the “For the beloved South” coal campaign with the target of 4.3 million tons of coal… These campaigns were all completed excellently under the harsh conditions of war. In addition, the Union also widely launched a youth movement to promote initiatives, improve techniques, and rationalize production. From this movement, there were hundreds of initiatives and experiences of young people in mines, factories, construction sites, and young science and technology officers were sent to report on typical examples.

During those years, an achievement of Quang Ninh youth that cannot be ignored is the "youth project" to restore the Cua Ong coal screening plant. On April 10, 1966, the American invaders bombed the Cua Ong screening plant, causing severe damage and paralyzing production. In that situation, the Party Committee of the Coal Corporation assigned the Youth Union of the Corporation to undertake the project. The Executive Committee of the Youth Union of the Corporation discussed and agreed to mobilize highly skilled young union members from factories and mechanical workshops in the entire coal industry, from Mao Khe, Vang Danh, Hon Gai, Cam Pha... to repair it, considering it a "youth project" that had to be completed before May 19, 1966 to celebrate Uncle Ho's birthday. Despite the fierce war, the brothers still worked hard day and night, using all their intelligence, strength, and enthusiasm to complete the work ahead of schedule...

On May 10, 1972, the second American war of destruction began in Quang Ninh. They destroyed the town of Hon Gai and the industrial zone of Quang Ninh, while our forces were mainly supporting the southern battlefield. The remaining forces in the Mining Region were very thin. With veterans who had fought during the anti-French period as commanders, the Union mobilized young people to volunteer to join the anti-aircraft artillery units of the Mining Region. In just a short time, anti-aircraft artillery units of the Mining Region, with over 80% of them being young people, were born, especially the unit of comrade Dang Ba Hat - Hon Gai Wharf Enterprise, with nearly 100% of them being young people. The self-defense units on duty, the anti-aircraft artillery units, along with the Youth Volunteers and the Youth Shock Troops, closely coordinated with the main units, sometimes even replacing the main units, actively contributing with the army and people of the whole province to shoot down 200 American planes, capture many enemy pilots, and protect the safety of the mining area. It was a great pride that when summarizing the "Three Ready" movement, the Quang Ninh Youth was awarded the best rotating flag of Uncle Ho by the Central Youth Union.

In the heroic atmosphere of the historic April days, we had a chance to talk with Mr. Dong Duy Hung (born in 1947, residing in Hon Gai ward, Ha Long city), who had experienced the seething atmosphere of the "Three ready" period. Mr. Hung was moved to share: The youth of Hon Gai as well as the whole Quang Ninh province at that time all longed to participate in "Three ready". In the summer of 1965, I was a 9th grade student at Hon Gai secondary and high school, participating in the campaign "Youth 3 ready to do public service" at Nga 2 - Cam Pha Forestry Farm. That time, our whole class went for 1 month, but everyone was very happy and excited. Coming from young boys and girls living in the middle of the city, we did not hesitate, did not mind the difficulties when going to the forest farm to do the hard work of workers such as repairing the forest, taking care of trees... Working enthusiastically for the cause of protecting the Fatherland.

“That period was extremely difficult and deprived, but the youth were not afraid. We still loved life very much. During group activities, we sat together and sang songs that aroused our love for our homeland and country, forgetting hunger and thirst, sharing the same belief that the country would be peaceful and independent one day,” Mr. Hung recalled.

61 years since the "Three Readies" movement was launched, that oath has gone down in history as a heroic and powerful testament to the revolutionary enthusiasm, the spirit of sacrifice, and the voluntary and unconditional dedication to the people, to the beloved Mining Region, and to the Fatherland of the youth of Quang Ninh and all Vietnamese youth.

Proud of "Three capable men" Quang Ninh

In the bustling atmosphere of emulation against the US to save the country, the “Three Virtues” Movement became a vibrant and widespread revolutionary movement among women throughout Quang Ninh. The movement promptly met the urgent requirements of the resistance war: protecting the socialist North, liberating the South, unifying the country; promoting the patriotic and revolutionary traditions of Vietnamese women. By training to become “Three Virtues”, women not only effectively served the fight to protect the country, but also enhanced their position in the family and society. This policy was completely consistent with the aspirations and capabilities of women, so it quickly entered life.

In the movement, many typical women and socialist labor teams appeared. In construction sites, factories, enterprises, and mines, women actively participated in the movements of "Practicing skills, competing for good workers", "Being good at one job, knowing many jobs", promoting initiatives, improving techniques, and increasing labor productivity. Women in small-scale industries actively studied, improved their cultural and professional qualifications, and worked to ensure working days and product quality.

Carrying out the tasks of “hammer in one hand, gun in the other”, “plow in one hand, gun in the other”, Quang Ninh women participated in large numbers in the militia and self-defense forces, contributing to the work of people’s air defense, protecting order and security, providing first aid, carrying ammunition, clearing bombs and mines, directly fighting... coordinating with army and militia units to shoot down American planes. At that time, the whole province had 92 female militia and self-defense platoons; all combat teams and units had women participating. During the “Three Responsibilities” period, Quang Ninh had 7 women achieving the title of Determined to Win Soldier, 150 emulation soldiers, 891 women participating in the grassroots party committee... The women overcame all difficulties, exemplary in fulfilling their assigned tasks, taking care of national affairs and family matters on behalf of their husbands and children.

The women's force enthusiastically worked in production and participated in increasing numbers in combat and combat service missions. The activities of women's associations at all levels gradually focused on educating members, propagating and mobilizing husbands, children and siblings to join the army, making significant contributions to the army's rear work, mobilizing women to actively raise livestock in the family area, plant trees and practice a new cultural lifestyle. In particular, on the occasion of the International Women's Day (March 8, 1972), Quang Ninh had 3 women with outstanding achievements who were honored to receive the Uncle Ho badge from President Ton Duc Thang.

We were lucky to meet and talk with Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong (born in 1938, residing in Bai Chay ward, Ha Long city), a worker at the screening factory of Hon Gai wharf enterprise - a typical woman in the "Three responsibilities" movement of the coal industry at that time.

When asked about the days participating in the “Three Virtuous Workers” movement, she quickly took out a very sharp black and white photo, taken in December 1960 when summarizing the “Three Virtuous Workers” movement at that time. She said: “That day, I was proud to be one of the typical women, I was pinned with 3 roses on my shirt, and was published in the Mining Region newspaper, which was a great honor!”. In 1959, with the job of classifying coal at the screening factory, I and everyone else worked continuously 2 shifts/day, without taking a day off even though the work was quite hard. Some women had husbands who went to war, some did not have families, but everyone worked, forgetting about time, forgetting about fatigue, with the only goal of working productively, all the women competed to win the title of “Three Virtuous Workers”, the atmosphere was very exciting. And in December 1959, I was admitted to the Party in the first batch of Quang Ninh coal”.

It can be affirmed that, during those proud years, together with the whole nation, Quang Ninh women devoted all their talents and efforts to the Fatherland, writing glorious pages of history in the Ho Chi Minh era, the pinnacle of revolutionary heroism, embellishing the heroic, indomitable, loyal and responsible tradition.

More than half a century has passed, but the “Three Virtues” movement is still alive and resonates forever in our hearts with so much pride and admiration for Quang Ninh women as well as all Vietnamese women in the 20th century. That is an encouragement for Vietnamese women to continue to contribute to building a rich, civilized country, creating new miracles in the era of national development.

Thu Hoai