A “common home” filled with love
As a former interpreter at Vietnam’s September 2 School, Lu Mei Nian (born in 1945) was responsible for translating and compiling feedback related to the daily studies and living conditions of Vietnamese students to report to the Office of Foreign Affairs of Guilin.
She recalled that from 1950 to 1970, during the fierce resistance wars against the French and Americans, several Vietnamese schools were relocated to Guangxi, China, to ensure the safety of students and teachers. In Guilin, schools such as Nguyen Van Troi Officer Cadet School, Nguyen Van Be, Vo Thi Sau, and the Central Ethnic School were established, forming the September 2 School system of Vietnam.
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Lu Mei Nian (in white) and Chinese delegates visit the President Ho Chi Minh relic site at the Presidential Palace. |
These institutions trained tens of thousands of outstanding officials who made significant contributions to the liberation and reunification of Vietnam. At the same time, they marked a unique chapter in the friendship between Vietnam and China.
“The students sent to here were very young. The youngest was only six, while the oldest was 13. It was their first time away from home, in a foreign country, and they inevitably felt lonely and homesick. My colleagues and I devoted ourselves to caring for them, ensuring their well-being and emotional support. The years I spent working there were truly meaningful because it felt like a shared home filled with love, where everyone treated each other like a family”, Lu Mei Nian recounted emotionally.
As one of the distinguished Chinese delegates at the meeting betweenVietnamese and Chinese students across the period held in Hanoi, Lu expressed her deep emotions: “I have visited Vietnam many times, but this is my first time attending such an important event with the presence of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam, and other senior Vietnamese leaders. This is not just an occasion to reminisce about the deep ties between the peoples of our two nations but also an opportunity to discuss ways to further promote education on Vietnam-China friendship across all social strata, especially among the younger generation. This will contribute to a more substantial and effective development of Vietnam-China relations”.
Even at 80, Lu remains actively involved in exchanges and meetings with Vietnamese delegations visiting educational institutions in Guilin. She firmly believes that sharing stories about these Vietnamese schools helps future generations better understand this remarkable historical period, fostering a sense of responsibility to preserve and strengthen the cherished friendship between the two countries.
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Distinguished Chinese representatives meet with former students of Vietnamese schools in Guilin, Guangxi, China. |
A vivid symbol of Vietnam-China friendship
Located within the campus of Guangxi Normal University, the Memorial House dedicated to Vietnamese Schools in Guilin (Guangxi, China) serves as a repository of artefacts, photographs, and memorabilia that document the unforgettable years of Vietnamese students studying there, particularly during the resistance wars against the French and Americans. It stands as a vivid symbol of the enduring friendship between Vietnam and China.
Speaking with us, Nguyen Trung Nguyen, the first Director of the Memorial House, shared that the house was inaugurated on the 60th anniversary of Vietnam – China diplomatic ties (January 18, 1950 – 2010). This site preserves and displays artefacts and images that capture the unforgettable years of Vietnamese students during the resistance wars against colonial and imperialist forces. Since its opening, it has welcomed numerous delegations from Vietnam, including high-ranking leaders of the Party and State.
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Nguyen Trung Nguyen, the first Director of the Memorial House dedicated to Vietnamese Schools in Guilin (Guangxi, China) |
The Memorial House is not merely a place that preserves historical images and information, it has become a cultural landmark that safeguards cherished memories of the close ties between the two nations. It also helps young students from both China and Vietnam understand and take pride in the legacy of their predecessors.
"I hope that in the future, the operational space of the Memorial House of Vietnamese Schools will be further expanded to attract more visitors and learners. Beyond being a place that commemorates the past, it has the potential to become a centre for connecting the youth of both countries, thereby enhancing the role of education in strengthening Vietnam-China friendship."
Nguyen Trung Nguyen, the first Director of the Memorial House dedicated to Vietnamese Schools in Guilin (Guangxi, China)
Recalling one of the most touching moments in his efforts to collect and curate images and artefacts for the Memorial House, Nguyen Trung Nguyen shared an unforgettable story: "During a visit to the school's archives, I discovered a painting of an elderly man diligently sweeping snow. After further research, I learned that this painting was created by Vietnamese art teacher Le Nguyen Loi, who captured the image of an old Chinese man who swept the snow daily on Lushan Mountain to ensure that Vietnamese students could walk safely without slipping. I treasured this painting as a precious relic, as it vividly depicted the kindness and care of the local people toward Vietnamese students".
Beyond the images and artefacts preserved at the house, Nguyen also cherishes stories that remain deeply imprinted in his heart. He recounted: "Every weekend, to help the students ease their homesickness, the school organised outdoor film screenings. One time, a movie featured a particularly delicious-looking cake, and the children expressed their desire to taste something just like it. Determined not to disappoint them, the school invited a chef from Beijing, and ten days later, the students were delighted to enjoy cakes identical to those in the film. This thoughtful gesture served as an encouragement, motivating them to overcome hardships and strive for excellence in their studies."
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Nguyen Trung Nguyen, the First Director of the Memorial House of Vietnamese Schools in Guilin, writes his reflections at President Ho Chi Minh’s house on the stilt historical site. |
Conveying beautiful memories of Vietnam-China friendship
Born in Binh Duong, Ngo Tue Quan married a Chinese national in 1997 and moved to Guilin, where she works as a Vietnamese interpreter at International Culture and Education College. In addition to her translation work, she also serves as a guide and narrator at the Memorial House of Vietnamese Schools in Guilin, introducing its history to Vietnamese delegations and visitors coming to study and explore the site.
Before becoming a guide and narrator, Quan was a Chinese language instructor for international students at Guangxi Normal University. Later, she joined the university’s office, assisting Vietnamese students studying in Guangxi. Fluent in Vietnamese and Chinese, she was entrusted with translation and interpretation duties for Vietnamese delegations visiting and working at the university.
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Ngo Tue Quan is a Vietnamese interpreter at the International Culture and Education College, Guangxi Normal University. |
"After years of guiding and narrating at the Memorial House, I deeply appreciate the Vietnam-China friendship. Through my work, I have the opportunity to preserve and share the beautiful memories of this relationship," she shared.
Driven by a deep respect and affection for generations of Vietnamese students who studied in Guilin, Phan My Duc, Vice Dean of the International Culture and Education College at Guangxi Normal University, has long been committed to keeping in touch with Vietnamese teachers and students who once studied and taught there. He has worked tirelessly with colleagues to maintain and preserve the burial sites of Vietnamese students and wounded soldiers who, unfortunately, passed away in Guilin.
"Beyond preserving and sharing the historical memories of Vietnam-China friendship, it is also important to care for the resting places of those Vietnamese students and soldiers. Thanks to the collective efforts of teachers, generations of Vietnamese students, local authorities, and relevant organisations, the renovation of these burial sites was completed in 2019. Every year, we organise a memorial ceremony following the traditional customs of both nations", Phan My Duc explained.
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Every year, Phan My Duc organises delegations to participate in the tomb-sweeping ceremony according to the customs of the people of the two countries. (Photo courtesy of Duc) |
With dedication and relentless efforts, these individuals have continued to safeguard and spread the values of the Vietnam-China friendship, ensuring that it remains not just a historical chapter but a living and growing relationship for the future.
