A Journey From The Ho Chi Minh Trail
To Build a Better Country
During the “American War,” as the Vietnamese call it, the Ho Chi Minh Trail was the all-important, military supply route from North Vietnam, through Laos and Cambodia, to the South. The winding trail, canopied by the leaves of teak, bamboo, and mangrove trees, allowed soldiers to carry critically needed ammunition and food to the Vietcong in the South.
“Hien” was an idealistic, teenage girl from a poor village in Quang Tri Province in 1965. She became convinced that her family and friends could escape their grinding poverty if a socialist political system was established nationally. To do that, the Americans must be driven out. Armed with this purpose and dream, but without knowledge of Jesus’ love for her, Hien left her family and devoted herself to the struggle. She determined to sacrifice all - her life included if necessary - to save her country.
The Life of a Female Vietcong
As the American war dragged on, Hien learned by bitter experience the sacrifices that would be required of her. She spent long hours digging trenches, tunnels and bunkers so that the young men could fight with guns. At times, her back bore loads greater than the ability of her slight frame to carry – with resultant pain. During those years, she wore no shoes nor warm clothes despite temperatures low enough in the mountains to allow for snow. Often hungry, she consoled herself with the knowledge that her male comrades with guns needed the rice more.
Hien’s sacrifice and work paid off. She remembers the day when North Vietnamese soldiers capture Central Vietnam’s - Danang! Independence came soon thereafter when Saigon fell. She was overjoyed.
