From coffee worker to writer

Roan Thi Ngoc Hao was born and raised in Tan Ky commune, a rural area with many hardships in Nghe An province. As the eldest of four children, her childhood was closely associated with the harsh sun and wind of the Central region. Since childhood, she was familiar with hardships, perseverance, and early formed the will to rise up, not afraid of difficulties.

In 2003, at the age of 20, a major turning point came to her life. She applied to work as a worker at the 16th Army Corps and was assigned to the 726th Regiment, a unit stationed in Quang Truc Commune, Tuy Duc District, Dak Nong Province (now Quang Truc Commune, Lam Dong Province), a remote and difficult border area.

On the first day, her job was to plant and take care of 1 hectare of coffee. The red basalt soil was harsh, the dry season was red dusty, the rainy season was muddy, but the young girl's diligent hands still made each coffee tree take root, grow green and grow. Her sweat mixed with the soil, each coffee bean bore fruit, as proof of her determination and enduring attachment to the borderland.

Major Roan Thi Ngoc Hao and the unit's Women's Union members harvest coffee.

During those working days, Hao often saw children following their mothers to the fields, their hair was yellow, their faces were dirty, their bare feet were running on the red soil. Witnessing the lack of schools and the lack of helping hands, she wondered: "I have to do something for the children here." It was that desire that urged her to ask the commander's permission to study at the Hanoi Kindergarten - Nursery Pedagogy College.

After two years of diligently studying, while nurturing the desire to return to the border region to spread knowledge, in 2008, she graduated and returned to her unit with a new role: Preschool teacher at Team 2, Regiment 726. From a coffee worker, she embarked on a new journey, a journey to spread knowledge and hope.

The person who lights up the joy of going to school in the "fence"

The first days of teaching were not without hardships. The roads were remote, the people rarely communicated in Mandarin, and parents did not really take sending their children to class seriously. However, Ms. Hao believed that only perseverance could bring about change. Day after day, she traveled to each house to persuade and patiently persuade. At first, there were only a few children in the class, but gradually, the chirping sounds of lessons resounded, and the class became more crowded and more fun.

To create excitement for her students, she takes advantage of everything available: cans, plastic bottles, cardboard… cleverly turning them into toys and learning tools. Paper flowers and cute little animals make the lessons come alive. For children in the border areas, those simple items are endless joy. Ms. Hao believes that “Every day at school is a happy day” must be a reality, not just a slogan.

Ms. Hao (blue shirt) picks up her child to class at the beginning of the new year.

Besides teaching, she constantly studies on her own. Hao researches documents, applies information technology, and builds educational plans that combine school, family, and community. She has special love and patience for disabled children, treating them as her own children, helping them integrate and gain confidence.

In 2020, while her teaching work was in full swing, she still worried about a formal school for the children. She consulted with the commander and proposed upgrading the model from small groups to Sao Mai Kindergarten. The proposal was supported by superiors and unanimously approved by the district.

Since Sao Mai officially started operating, children from 6 months to 5 years old have had a place to study, have a full and safe boarding meal. The laughter of children echoing in the mountains and forests seems to give strength to the officers, soldiers, employees, workers of the unit and the ethnic people in the border area where the unit is located. After only a short time, the number of students has doubled. The small school has become a symbol of military-civilian love, a shining star on the "fence" of the Fatherland.

Teacher Hao diligently makes toys and teaching aids outside of class hours.

The mark of a female leader

Not only devoted to her students, Ms. Hao is also the core of the emulation movement. In 2011 and 2017, she was twice recognized by the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army as an excellent teacher of the whole army, with many initiatives winning A prizes. She also proactively organized competitions such as "Healthy and Good Children", "Children with Traffic Safety"... to create a useful playground and strengthen the relationship between the army and the people at the border.

In 2021, she was elected as the President of the Women's Union of Regiment 726. In her new position, she has further promoted her leadership role, organizing many meaningful activities: taking care of flower gardens, raising "piggy banks" to help members in difficulty, participating in sports, and building a "green, clean, and beautiful" landscape. For many years in a row, the Women's Union has achieved excellent strength.

In 2024, she transferred to the professional military regime, affirming her maturity and strong attachment to the unit. Notably, in 2025, she was recognized by the 16th Corps as an outstanding female member in studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality, and style in the period 2020-2025; and was an official delegate to the 6th Party Congress of the 16th Corps, term 2025-2030. She is also the only individual of the Corps to attend the 11th Army Emulation Congress.

Teacher Hao with students in the border area.

Lieutenant Colonel Do Van Trang, Party Secretary and Political Commissar of Regiment 726, commented: “Major Roan Thi Ngoc Hao is an enthusiastic cadre and teacher, always exemplary in work and life. In any position, she always completes her tasks excellently and is trusted by her teammates and the people.”

Major Cao Thi Hieu, a colleague at Sao Mai Kindergarten, shared: “Ms. Hao is not only a dedicated colleague in her profession but also an exemplary sister in life. We learn from her patience, love for students and a rare sense of responsibility.”

A perfect mirror on the border

Not only is she good at school and enthusiastic about the Association's work, at home, Ms. Hao is also a good wife and a good mother. Her children have been excellent students for many years, the pride of the family and at the same time, giving her husband peace of mind to work. In the village, whenever there is a funeral, a happy event, or a difficult situation, she is always ready to share and help.

Major Roan Thi Ngoc Hao (far right) received a gift from the Military Women's Committee and took a souvenir photo with delegates attending the 11th Military Emulation Congress for Victory.

With her persistent contributions, from 2016 to 2024, every year she achieved the title of "Emulation Fighter at the grassroots level"; as a party member who excellently completed her tasks, she was commended by the Party Committee of the Regiment; in 2019 and 2023, she was awarded the title of "Emulation Fighter of the whole army". In addition, she was also awarded certificates of merit by the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army, the Command of the 16th Army Corps and the local government.

In the middle of the border mountains and forests, where the "fence" of the Fatherland is, Major Roan Thi Ngoc Hao not only sows the seeds of knowledge, but also sows faith, determination, and love for the homeland for future generations. That simple image is a bright flame, inspiring the cadres, members, and union members of the 16th Army Corps to continue the tradition of "Solidarity to overcome difficulties; attachment to the people; economy - national defense; strong development".

Article and photos: LE QUANG SANG

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/thieu-ta-qncn-roan-thi-ngoc-hao-nguoi-gioo-chu-noi-phen-giau-bien-cuong-848920