People's Armed Forces Hero Ho Dac Thanh, former captain of the ship No Number (left) and Major Ngo Van Dinh, Head of the Liaison Committee of the Vung Ro Ship No Number Wharf, received books signed by veteran Ngo Minh Tho. Photo: YEN LAN

Comrades Tran Thanh Hung, Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department; Tran Thi Minh Chanh, former Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee on Social Affairs; Le Van Huu, former Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Le Kim Anh, former Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Hero of the People's Armed Forces Ho Dac Thanh, former captain of the No-number ship; Major Ngo Van Dinh, Head of the Liaison Committee of the Vung Ro No-number Ship Wharf; representatives of the Provincial Military Command, Provincial Border Guard... attended.

Lieutenant Ngo Minh Tho presented books to Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department Tran Thanh Hung and Colonel Truong Thien An, Political Commissar of the Provincial Border Guard. Photo: YEN LAN

At the beginning of the meeting to introduce the book The Soldier Leaving from the Sand Village, People's Armed Forces Hero Ho Dac Thanh shared his feelings about veteran - wounded soldier Ngo Minh Tho, a son of the heroic homeland of Hoa Hiep (Dong Hoa), a soldier of the Vung Ro Wharf Protection Company (codename K60) at that time, a brave special forces soldier in Battalion 30, who was wounded, imprisoned by the enemy in Phu Quoc prison, went through many battles but still maintained the integrity of a revolutionary soldier.

People's Armed Forces Hero Ho Dac Thanh gave the opening speech at the book introduction meeting. Photo: YEN LAN

After being returned (in 1973), soldier Ngo Minh Tho returned to Phu Yen, to Battalion 30, and continued to fight until the day of liberation of the South and reunification of the country. Hero Ho Dac Thanh said: Listening to him tell the story, I remember when I visited the historical site of Vung Ro No-number Wharf, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told me that he tried to remember and record everything in his military career, especially about the Ho Chi Minh Trail at sea, so that future generations would know how their fathers fought the enemy. I suggested to Ngo Minh Tho to write a memoir, recording the story of his life as a stick of incense to show gratitude to his homeland, country, comrades and leave a spiritual legacy for his descendants.

Major Ngo Van Dinh, Head of the Vung Ro No-numbered Ship Terminal Liaison Committee, speaks. Photo: YEN LAN

The memoir The Soldier Leaving the Sand Village (Hong Duc Publishing House) depicts the life of Lieutenant Ngo Minh Tho, who was inspired by his father and brother, followed the call of the country, joined the army at the age of 16 and became a soldier of Uncle Ho. From the story of fighting, life to economic development after the Doi Moi, the author tells it in a simple, vivid and engaging way. In addition to the author's memoir, this nearly 300-page printed book also has an appendix with printed articles and poems about unit K60, about Lieutenant - wounded soldier Ngo Minh Tho and some pictures of the legendary Vung Ro wharf, about the remaining comrades at the wharf and boats, about the author's family...

Lieutenant - disabled soldier Ngo Minh Tho with his wife - Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoa and eldest son Ngo Minh Thong received congratulatory flowers at the book introduction meeting. Photo: YEN LAN

During the meeting to introduce the book The Soldier Leaving from the Sand Village, Major Ngo Van Dinh shared his emotional thoughts about his comrades and what should be done to help the Vung Ro No-number Wharf Historical Site further promote its role in educating the younger generation about traditions.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tang - who gave Captain Ho Dac Thanh the book years ago - reads the memoirs of veteran Ngo Minh Tho. PHOTO: YEN LAN

An artist sings Bài Chòi at a book launch event. Photo: YEN LAN

Delegates take souvenir photos. Photo: YEN LAN