People may hear and know about him but few of them met him – a elite soldier in resistance war against French colony and the main character of a famous song composed by Tran Kiet Tuong almost 60 years ago. His name is Hua Hoa Hung or “anh Ba Hung” as the song reads.
We met him on a occasion of Dau Tieng visit, he was then 85 years old after those years of being a soldier. His characteristic of a Dong Nam Bo people was prominent on receiving us as simply and truthfully as a farmer.
Mr. “Ba Hung” sings in dual the song “Anh Ba Hung”
The song “Anh Ba Hung” was composed on ocassion of meeting between Hua Hoa Hung and writer Tran Kiet Tuong. All the details were recorded for a beautiful song which was previously named “Anh Hai Hung”. The difference between the two versons was that the former was about criticism of Hai Hung, who was son to a land lord in O Mon, Can Tho. Hai Hung was a lazy moron avoiding to be a hero against conquering enemies. In 1949, Ba Hung was leader of a platoon ruining enemy supply convoys for battle in Gia Rai. Hundreds of enemy were killed and the supply was shut down to enable victory in Gia Rai. A year later, he met Tran Kiet Tuong on his visit to the platoon and the song “Anh Hai Hung” was recomposed into “Anh Ba Hung” to depic a hero. Of the same rhythm, the song was famous after broadcasting through radio station in battle of Dong Nam Bo. Simple wording and easy to remember rhythm had won the heart of many.
Mr. “Ba Hung” was from Ca Mau and joined the army in the very first day of resistance war against the French colony. His fame was unknown until he retired from being a soldier. On February 12, 1962, he was back to the South after 3 months of marching through Truong Son route of fire and battles. Successfully penetrating Dong Nam Bo region, he came to warzones of A and Ma Da in 6 months before jointing the Zone B artillery of Bien Hoa. In 1964, he moved to the regional artillery until the last day of April 30, 1975. He retired in only one year working for army logistics in 1987.
Mr. “Ba Hung” is happy with his grandchild”
From his day of retirement, he has been living with his daughter’s family and enjoying happy life in Tan Hoa Commune, Ho Nai 2, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province.
He was never entitled hero but the song made him a hero.
Reported by Tran Dinh Hau – Reported by Vi Bao
