9th Vietnam-China Border Defense Exchange: Realizing High-level Common Perceptions
	Binh Duong Hosts Tree Planting to Mark 75 Years of Vietnam-China Diplomatic Ties

Speaking with the VietnamTimes magazine, Yu Shuhui recalled: “In 1968, under the directive of Prime Minister Zhou Enlai, China’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations jointly established Nanxishan Hospital. It was an international medical facility with a vital rear-line role, providing medical aid to Vietnam during its resistance against the United States.”

In the hospital’s early days, the duties of young nurses like Shuhui was not holding a stethoscope or syringe, but manual labor. With no elevators in the hospital, afternoons were spent transfering beds, mattresses, tables, chairs, and medical carts up the stairs, preparing for 600 hospital beds.

"I still remember clearly the night of March 26, 1969, when the hospital welcomed the first Vietnamese wounded soldiers. All the doctors and nurses, even though it was 2 am, were still wearing white blouses, lining up neatly in front of the gate, full of excitement. When the ambulances entered, applause and the slogan 'Vietnam - China' resounded enthusiastically. Some carried stretchers, others led the wounded soldiers into the room. After the simple welcoming ceremony, the work began immediately, from bathing and changing clothes for the wounded soldiers, to asking about their illness, writing medical records, and treating their wounds," she recalled.

Yu Shuhui took care of patient at Nanxishan Hospital. (Photo courtesy of Yu Shuhui)

The language barrier was a major challenge for the medical team, as most of them had only learned Vietnamese in a short time, and interpreters were scarce. Many times, they had to use hand gestures and body language to communicate, leading to many humorous situations. Yu Shuhui herself had an unforgettable memory. Once, she planned to take a patient for a haircut in preparation for ear surgery. She told the patient: “Tomorrow, comrade, you are going for a head cut.” The patient was so frightened by what he heard that he refused to go. Yu Shuhui did not understand why and had to ask an interpreter to explain. “After that incident, I told myself to learn Vietnamese well. Thanks to that, I gradually became fluent in communication, and could even read newspapers and sing Vietnamese songs,” she said.

In addition to treating physical injuries, the Nanxishan Hospital medical team also focused on caring for the wounded soldiers’ mental health. Yu Shuhui recalled a female patient who had been tortured in prison and often suffered panic attacks at night. During her shifts, Shuhui patiently spoke with her and offered encouragement.

One time, when the patient expressed a craving for steamed eggs, Shuhui decided to prepare them herself, even though she had never cooked before. "The first bowl of eggs was as hard as a ball, but she still happily accepted it. I understood that we had to do everything to make up for the losses caused by the war,” she said emotionally.

Yu Shuhui (3rd from right) took a photo with Vietnamese medical staff and patients. (Photo courtesy of Yu Shuhui)

That affection was also expressed through drops of blood. Over eight years, the hospital’s doctors and nurses donated 779,220 milliliters of blood to save the lives of Vietnamese soldiers. Yu Shuhui emphasized: “Those years were the years when the history of the two peoples of Vietnam and China was intertwined with the most sacred bond. Half a century has passed, but the resilient, strong faces and tearful smiles of the wounded soldiers are still vivid in my memory.”

Looking back on her 57-year journey, from a young nurse to someone now in her elderly, Yu Shuhui could not help but be moved by the remarkable development of today's Vietnam. “From the ashes of war, you have built a rich, dynamic country, which proves that peace and development is the right path,” she said.

In 2024, during the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory in Vietnam, due to the cold and rainy weather, Yu Shuhui kindly rubbed the hands of a veteran delegate sitting next to her to warm them. (Photo: Mai Thuy)

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's Independence Day, she set a profound message to the young generation of the two countries: "History cannot be forgotten. The Vietnam-China relationship of "comrades and brothers" built in hardship is a priceless asset. I hope that young people will learn about history, cherish peace and inherit this precious heritage. Let's cooperate in all fields, making the Vietnam-China friendship tree that President Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Mao Zedong and generations of leaders have worked hard to cultivate greener and greener, lasting forever."

The story of Yu Shuhui and Nanxishan Hospital is a small part in the epic of noble international solidarity. It serves as a reminder that throughout its 80-year journey of building and defending the Fatherland, Vietnam has never stood alone. The heartfelt support of friends like her remains a lasting source of inspiration, an unforgettable memory that continues to empower the Vietnamese people on the path of development forward.

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