On the morning of 30/8, a vehicle carrying Anh and a group of 30 friends departed from Thanh Hoa, stopping at the gate of the Nghia An War Invalids Nursing Center. "After participating in the 80th National Day anniversary celebration and watching historical films like 'Red Rain', I decided this 2/9 to meet those who witnessed a time of bombs and bullets", said Nguyet Anh, 25, the group leader.

In the hallway of the treatment area for severely injured war invalids, Anh met Pham Quang Tiu, 74, from Huong Khe, Ha Tinh. The former Group 559 truck driver, wearing a faded military uniform, pressed a faded piece of paper with a relative's phone number into Anh's hand, asking her to dial it for him.

Nguyet Anh, 25, from Thanh Hoa, visits war invalids at the Nghia An War Invalids Nursing Center on 30/8. *Photo: Courtesy of interviewee*

Although the war ended more than 50 years ago, the lingering effects of schizophrenia have kept Mr. Tiu's memories frozen in his twenties on the Truong Son trail. Among the 31 war invalids suffering from mental health issues here, Mr. Tiu is one of the few who remains relatively lucid, able to recognize and communicate with strangers. "Meeting Mr. Tiu, I imagined the brave young men who sacrificed themselves on the battlefield", Anh said.

The entire group gathered, chatting and singing with the veterans throughout the morning. When archival footage of the battlefield was projected onto the screen in the hall, some sat silently staring into space, while others showed agitation as battle memories resurfaced.

Anh is one of hundreds visiting facilities caring for national contributors this 2/9. On social media forums, posts and videos documenting young groups' visits to nursing centers in Nghia An, Ninh Binh, Bac Ninh, and Da Nang have garnered millions of interactions.

Nguyen Thieu Lam, director of the Nghia An War Invalids Nursing Center, said that since 30/4 this year, the center has welcomed hundreds of visiting groups, with young people accounting for about 60%. For this 2/9 holiday, in just one week, the unit received registrations from dozens of spontaneous volunteer groups initiated by young people.

"Previously, most visitors were part of regular organizational delegations. Recently, many youth and student groups have proactively reached out. The presence of young people creates a lively atmosphere, helping war invalids feel less lonely", Lam said.

According to the center's director, this change stems from social media's influence. "We posted stories and daily lives of the war invalids online, initially to preserve memories, but we received a positive response from the community", Lam said.

The center currently cares for 106 people, including 83 severely injured war invalids with an 81% or more loss of working capacity, who participated in the anti-American resistance, the Southwestern border defense war, and international missions in Laos and Cambodia.

Dozens of young people visit the Nghia An War Invalids Nursing Center on the morning of 30/8. *Photo: Courtesy of interviewee*

At the Kim Bang War Invalids Nursing Center (Ninh Binh), Hai Nam, 22, a medical student in Ha Noi, and his friends also arrived early. Instead of going on vacation, the group chose to visit the veterans, bringing blood pressure monitors, massage oils, and fruit.

Sitting by the bedside of a war invalid with an 81% loss of working capacity, Nam heard many stories of camaraderie during wartime. "Seeing the scars firsthand and understanding the emotional trauma they carry, I realized the value of a peaceful life", Nam said.

For Nguyet Anh, the visit to the Nghia An War Invalids Nursing Center helped her realize that the soldiers of her parents' generation not only sacrificed their youth but also a significant part of their later lives. "Coming here made us better understand the price of peace", the 25-year-old said.

A day at the Nghia An War Invalids Nursing Center on 28/8. *Video: Nga Thanh*

Nga Thanh - Quynh Nguyen