The General was making a phone call to inquire after soldiers of Loc Ninhdistrict border post with the heart of an “Eldest brother of Vietnames People’s Army” In 1993,General Vo Nguyen Giap visited Song Be (now is Binh Duong province) to work with provincial leaders. Provincial Party Committee Secretary Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet and Party Standing Committee welcomed respectfully the General.

At that time, I was a journalist of Vietnam News Agency – Song Be branch and was assigned to report information while Gen. Giap was in the province. I was so nervous, because I did not know how to take finest photos of Gen. Giap and leaders with my old-fashioned film camera Canon FX and immature skills. But with my heart and respect for the talented General, I recorded bravely all moments of the legendary General. The most dramatic photos to me were taken while the General was making a phone call to enquire after soldiers of Loc Ninh district border post with the heart of an “Eldest brother of Vietnames People’s Army” .

Photos of Gen. Giap were embedded in Binh Duong people’s mind, these were when provincial leaders worked with the General on provincial socioeconomic condition; the General visited assembly line workers at Hoang Gia Company; Thanh Le Company; Kim Hung wood factory and 3-2 garment Company etc. At every visited place, Gen.Giap enquired after life, listened to thoughts of workers.

General Giap and provincial leaders

While following the General, one action expressing care and closeness of Gen. Giap moved me deeply. After taking many photos of Gen. Giap and provincial leaders,everyone was preparing for visits at companies, I was suddenly invited by the General to take a photo with him.

There was a photo that made me so proud but also regretful at the same time. That was the photo of the General wearing military uniform standing in front of tall trees.I was proud, because I asked him bravely for a private photo after many photos with provincial leaders. I smiled and agreed, then asked: “So, how should I stand?” I replied: “Sir, you can stand with your back to tall trees so that they will be your background”. He understood immediately and followed my advice. I held my breath, repressed emotions to press the button. However, I regretted printed photos afterwards, because my arrangement was not able to reflect the idea that the General is like a great ancient tree. I wish I had had more skills and a modern camera so that I could have a beautiful photo of him.

These photos of Gen. Giap have been kept for 20 years and considered as my precious things because of moments with the legendary general.

Reported by Q.Lam – Translated by Ngoc Huynh

  Song Be province’s leaders recorded guidelines of General Vo Nguyen Giap in terms of provincial socioeconomic defense security conditions

   The author (L) was honorably in the photo with Gen. Giap and provincial leaders

  The General enquired after life of workers at Kim Hung wood factory 

 

General Vo Nguyen Giap visited 3-2 garment company

   The General talked with directors of Thanh Le company