Vietnam veteran raises the national flag at the 2014 World Cup

The red flag with a yellow star entered the camera lens.

I was born two years after the historic victory of Dien Bien Phu, but the image of the decisive victory flag flying on the roof of the De-Cat tunnel on the afternoon of May 7, 1954 through movies and history is still imprinted in my mind.

After finishing high school, in early 1975 I had the honor of becoming a soldier in the Vietnam People’s Army, participating in a speedy march from Trinh Xuyen station (Nam Dinh) by train to Vinh, then marching through four provinces.

Those who witnessed that jubilant and bustling atmosphere felt choked with emotion.

Tran Ngoc Thanh’s hat, shirt and red flag with yellow star on the 2014 World Cup stand. Photo: NVCC.

I am also a football fan and especially the World Cup or Euro.

This 2014 World Cup, my son arranged to invite me to watch football in Brazil.

For the France and Nigeria match, we were lucky enough to have tickets in the first row of seats in the middle of the field, stand B, so I discussed with my son to carry the flag along with the handle to wave it like our soldiers waving it on the roof of the tunnel.

Thinking about the time when the whole world must respectfully bow before the sacred flag of the Fatherland, I forgot to follow the progress of the match and continuously raised the red flag with a yellow star.

Father and son Tran Ngoc Thanh took photos with friends from Brazil and France… Photo: NVCC.

Before going to Brazil to watch, I watched the play-off match of the Vietnamese women’s team competing for tickets to the World Cup.

Reality is not as expected, but it cannot stop us from dreaming.