“Honoring Heroic Mothers: Memories and Legends”

THE HANOI CHRONICLE — An exhibition titled “Echoes of Endurance: Portraits of Matriarchs” commemorates the 50th anniversary of Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 – 2025). It honors the resilience and sacrifice of Vietnamese mothers, whose stories are often untold.

Colonel Tran Hong, a journalist-turned-photographer, captures the strength of Vietnamese mothers. Image credits: Jenna Duong

The powerful images in this exhibition were captured by Colonel Tran Hong, a journalist, photographer, and former soldier with Battalion 2, Group 559, Truong Son Troop. Through his lens, Colonel Hong pays homage to the resilience and sacrifice of mothers, offering a profound understanding of their experiences.

“Standing before these mothers, I feel a sense of protection. I see my own mother in them, and my longing for her fades away,” Colonel Hong shared.

Visitors engaging with the exhibition, reading the stories behind each portrait.

Van Duc Linh, Deputy Head of the Hoan Kiem Lake and Old Quarter Management Board, remarked, “This exhibition is the culmination of Colonel Tran Hong’s dedication to capturing the spirit of Vietnamese mothers. These are not merely photographs but living testaments to their endurance, courage, and unspoken heroism.”

Each portrait tells a story of valiant women from diverse backgrounds, united by their unwavering love for their homeland. They endured unimaginable loss, with some losing their husbands and sons to the front lines, while others took up arms or provided refuge for revolutionaries.

The portrait of Mother Tran Thi Em, whose grief over the loss of her three sons took her eyesight. Photo: Jenna Duong

One of the most poignant series is titled “Mother – Deep in Nostalgia.” It includes the portrait of Mother Tran Thi Em from Thach Quy Commune in Ha Tinh Province. Her grief over the loss of her three sons in the resistance war against the United States (1954-1975) was so profound that it caused her to lose her eyesight. Now, at 87, her last wish is to recover her sons’ remains.

Another striking image is that of Mother Sau from Ca Mau Province, the southernmost tip of Vietnam. Having lost her husband and two sons, she embodies the grief and resilience shared by countless women across the nation.

Mother Sau from Ca Mau Province, a symbol of grief and unwavering strength.

The exhibition also features Mother Hoang Thi Moc from Bac Ninh Province, who lost three sons in the war. She chose to display only one of the three Fatherland Appreciation Certificates she received, keeping the others in a ceramic jar. “Pain does not need to be spoken over and over again,” she softly stated.

“Echoes of Endurance” is more than a historical retrospective; it is a heartfelt tribute to the generation of mothers whose sacrifices shaped the nation’s history. It bridges the past and the present, inviting today’s youth to connect with the courage and love embodied by these extraordinary women.

Portrait of Mother Hoang Thi Moc, who lost three sons in the war. Photo: Jenna Duong

The exhibition is currently on display from April 25 to May 25 at the Ho Guom Cultural Information Center, located near the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi.

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