As part of the movement to honor those who came before and the Government’s “Eliminating Dilapidated Housing” campaign, with support from the Party Committee and the NEU Board of Presidents, the Veterans’ Association of National Economics University (NEU) presented financial support on the afternoon of April 19, 2024, to renovate the home of the late veteran Phan Dinh Mai in Hai Chu Village, Trung Hai Commune, Gio Linh District, Quang Tri Province.

The NEU Veterans’ Association, local leaders and the family pose for a commemorative photograph.

Local representatives attending the presentation ceremony included Mai Viet Phuong, Deputy Secretary of the Commune Party Committee; Le Van Son, Chairman of the Commune People’s Committee; Mai Van Binh, Chairman of the Veterans’ Association; Nguyen Nhu Quynh, Secretary of the Youth Union; Le Van Chuong, official in charge of labor, invalids and social affairs; and Le Van Liem, a member of the Hai Chu Village leadership. Representing the family were the children and Tran Thi Cu, wife of the late veteran Phan Dinh Mai.

Representing the NEU Veterans’ Association were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Dong, Chairman of the Veterans’ Association; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Trieu, Vice Chairman of the Veterans’ Association; MSc. Luong Viet Anh, Vice Dean of the Faculty of In-service Education and representative of the Executive Committee of the NEU Trade Union; and members of the Veterans’ Association’s 2025 delegation visiting historical sites.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Dong, Chairman of the Veterans’ Association, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Trieu, Vice Chairman of the Veterans’ Association, present home renovation support to the family of veteran Phan Dinh Mai.

The late veteran Phan Dinh Mai was born and raised in Hai Chu Village. In 1967, he was transferred to Thanh Hoa to study, and he enlisted in 1972, going on to fight in defense of Quang Tri Citadel. Amid the fierce fighting, he and his comrades still smiled with optimism and confidence in victory. During a visit to Quang Tri Museum, the late veteran Mai was given this photograph by the museum. NEU digitized the photograph and presented it to the family for long-term preservation as a deeply meaningful historical keepsake. The late veteran Phan Van Mai reportedly served in the military until 1977 and was classified as a category 2/4 wounded veteran, with a 61% disability rating.

The NEU Veterans’ Association presents the commemorative photograph to the family.

At the ceremony to present a home to the family of veteran Phan Dinh Mai in recognition of his service, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Dong, Chairman of the Veterans’ Association, conveyed the University leadership’s heartfelt regards to the family of veteran Phan Van Mai on behalf of the NEU Veterans’ Association. He also briefly introduced the University and its Veterans’ Association. Nearly 700 NEU staff members, faculty members and students participated in the struggles for national liberation and defense. Of these, 61 lost their lives on the battlefields, including 12 soldiers who fell on the Quang Tri front and at the Citadel.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Dong introduces NEU and its Veterans’ Association.

Speaking with emotion at the ceremony, Tran Thi Cu thanked NEU leaders at all levels for their care and the University’s Veterans’ Association for traveling a long distance and, within a very short time, developing a funding proposal, planning the repairs and coming in person to present this gift. Tran Thi Cu was delighted and encouraged that the financial support would help the family renovate their home and address flooding during the rainy season.

On behalf of the local authorities, Mai Viet Phuong, Deputy Secretary of the Thuong Hai Commune Party Committee, pledged to work with the family to ensure that the funding would be used for its intended purpose. He also pledged to mobilize local organizations to provide additional labor for the renovation and repairs, keeping the work on schedule for completion in July 2025.

Mai Viet Phuong, Deputy Secretary of the Commune Party Committee, delivers remarks.

Supporting the repair and construction of homes as a gesture of gratitude to veterans facing particularly difficult circumstances is a deeply humanitarian activity that expresses gratitude and the bonds of comradeship among Uncle Ho’s soldiers—not only in wartime but also in everyday life during peacetime.

This is not only material assistance but also emotional support, giving Veterans’ Association members further motivation to overcome feelings of inadequacy, stabilize their lives and move forward with greater confidence and resilience.

It is hoped that, in the time ahead, with the close attention of NEU leaders and the heartfelt, responsible contributions of Veterans’ Association members, programs to express gratitude and honor service will continue to expand and reach more people, enabling more veteran members to receive support and companionship and gain greater faith in life.

Some images from the ceremony:

Article and photos: Veterans’ Association & Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.