Uncle Hai Nghia and Over Half a Century of Strong Teamwork and Loyalty

The Motherland has embraced him, leaving behind endless sorrow among the people. Yet, his heart, his unwavering comradeship, and his more than half a century of dedication remain alive in the stories passed down by generations. His legacy is kept alive through grand gestures, actions, and the continuation of the spirit of Uncle Hai Nghia’s lifelong devotion to the country and the people.

For his entire life, Uncle Hai Nghia never allowed himself to rest. After retiring, Bac Hai shifted his focus from political work to humanitarian efforts, always directing his heart back toward his hometown, Dong Khoi. Roads, bridges, schools, health programs, and more have transformed his hometown, thanks to the contributions of the leader with a steadfast heart. Despite his age and declining health, Bac Hai continued to work with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Buddhist Association to organize memorial ceremonies for fallen heroes and victims at Ben Tre, build a memorial for the A210 Chain of Command soldiers, and provide contributions to the community. In his final days, his wishes were to be buried at the Ben Tre Martyrs’ Cemetery alongside his comrades, where he would rest forever.

Uncle Hai Nghia, together with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Buddhist Church, organized a memorial ceremony to honor the heroic martyrs and the fallen soldiers in Ben Tre (the group sponsors the memorial ceremony).

In the memorial book for the leader, the citizen of Dong Khoi, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc wrote: “Comrade Truong Vinh Trong, an outstanding son of the heroic homeland Ben Tre, a kind heart, a shining example of a simple lifestyle, noble revolutionary ethics, thrift, integrity, impartiality, always concerned and determined to act for the benefit of the Party, the country, and the people…”
Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue – Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, Head of the Hanoi delegation to the National Assembly shared: “Throughout his 60 years of revolutionary activities, through many leadership positions from local to central levels, in any position, comrade was always enthusiastic, thoughtful, and determined in his work, exemplary, embodying the spirit of a Communist Party member, wholeheartedly dedicated to the country and the people. The Party Committee, government, armed forces, and all people of Hanoi will forever remember and appreciate his contributions.”
Politburo member, Head of the Central Organization Department Pham Minh Chinh wrote, Mr. Truong Vinh Trong was a comrade, a brother, a loyal and exemplary revolutionary soldier, who spent his life striving, contributing, and sacrificing for the revolutionary cause of the Party and the people, a loving son, father, and husband in the family. “I light a stick of incense in deep sorrow to bid farewell to Uncle Hai Nghia, a comrade, a sincere, trustworthy, and affectionate colleague, with many memories in the Government from the 2005-2011 term.”
“Uncle Hai, when I heard the news of your passing, my heart was filled with deep sorrow and infinite grief. You may have passed, but the image of the dedicated, sharp, decisive, and caring official will always remain in the hearts of comrades, colleagues, the people of Ben Tre, and the whole country,” said Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City…
“A special thing about Uncle Hai Nghia is that, no matter how big his position, he never forgets to ask after and show concern for his subordinates, drivers. He would walk to each table of his colleagues to check if they had enough to eat, even serving food to each person. That is the style of a leader who is close to the people. Therefore, UncleHai Nghia had a very strong charm with others,” shared Mr. Vo Thanh Hao – Former Secretary of the Ben Tre Provincial Party Committee.
In the 1960s, the revolutionary resistance began to enter a difficult phase. It was during this time that UncleHai Nghia directly opened training classes when he taught at B.1000 (the code name for the Ben Tre Department of Education), in an effort to preserve education, keep the revolution alive, and foster the revolutionary spirit in his homeland of Dong Khoi. Many people sacrificed their lives, and many officials of B.1000 fell.
In the Tet Offensive of 1968, Uncle Hai Nghia’s friend, martyr Nguyen The Hung – a teacher – died heroically on the land of Ben Tre. When her husband passed away, the martyr’s wife, just in her twenties with two young children and a third child barely formed in her womb, was left to carry the burden. Bac Hai Nghia kept his comradeship strong, taking care of his friend’s family as his own for over 50 years since that year of Tet Offensive. The wife of the martyr was Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Thoa, the mother of Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung – one of the leaders of Sovico Group and its member companies.
Throughout the years of war and after the country’s liberation, the martyr’s wife and the children and grandchildren were always cared for, helped, and supported by UncleHai Nghia. The martyr’s wife, enduring sorrow, raised three young children alone, fighting for the Revolution and dedicating everything to the cause. When the children were young, she sent them to relatives so she could join the resistance. When they reached school age, she once again endured the pain of separation, sending them to revolutionary bases to ensure their safety and allow them to go to school.
True to Uncle Hai Nghia’s belief, and by upholding the family tradition, Mrs. Kim Thoa’s children all graduated from university. Some even became doctors and became useful individuals. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung was sent abroad to study, always striving and eventually becoming one of the businessmen who made significant contributions to Ben Tre’s homeland and the country’s economy.

Inauguration of Nguyen The Hung Kindergarten Sponsored by Sovico in Chau Thanh District, Ben Tre Province

Few people know that 15 years ago, it was Uncle Hai Nghia who encouraged Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao to bring Sovico Group, which was already very successful abroad, to invest in Vietnam, trusting and contributing to the country’s economic renewal. Later, Mrs. Phuong Thao became the first self-made female billionaire in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, continuing to work diligently, humbly, and simply as she did on the first day, following the example of Uncle Hai Nghia. I saw the female billionaire silently in the crowd bidding farewell to Uncle Hai Nghia, with the last line she wrote in the memorial book: “I love Uncle Hai and miss him very much.”
Uncle Hai Nghia also always followed and reminded the children and grandchildren in the family of Mrs. Kim Thoa – now the leader of Sovico Group – to prioritize business development, with a spirit of advancement and innovation, alongside community activities, creating valuable contributions to society with the goal of bringing prosperity, happiness, and a civilized life to all people. That kind heart has stopped beating, but the legacy of affection that Uncle Hai Nghia left behind will continue to be passed on to future generations.
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