Tearful send-offs as Hanoi sends 4,400 young recruits to military duty

At recruitment sites across the city, families and loved ones shared emotional moments, embracing, handing over lucky red envelopes, and exchanging last-minute words of encouragement.

On the morning of February 13, 4,400 young men from Hanoi departed for military and public security service, marking the official enlistment ceremony for 2025.

Emotional moments unfolded at recruitment sites across Ba Dinh and Tay Ho districts, as families, friends, and loved ones gathered to bid farewell to the new recruits.

The enlistment ceremonies took place simultaneously in 30 districts and towns across Hanoi. At the Tay Ho District Military Command, 57 young men were officially handed over to Regiment 165 and Infantry Regiment 692 under the Capital Command.

Despite the cold and rainy weather, families arrived early in the morning to see off the new recruits. At the Ba Dinh recruitment site, Hanoi Party Secretary Bui Thi Minh Hoai attended the ceremony to encourage and support the young soldiers.

This year, Ba Dinh District has 70 new conscripts, including 56 military recruits and 14 police service recruits. Notably, 67 of them volunteered for enlistment, and 34 have college or university degrees. Among them, six are Communist Party members.

Senior Lieutenant General Pham Hoai Nam, Deputy Minister of National Defense, also attended the event at Ba Dinh District, presenting flowers and words of encouragement to the new recruits.

Heartfelt moments as loved ones bid farewell

At the departure site, friends gathered to send off Trinh Duy Hai, a recruit from Doi Can Ward. "I feel really happy that both my family and friends came to support me," Hai shared.

Nguyen Hoang Phu’s mother and cousin were emotional as they ran after him, offering last-minute words of encouragement. “Do your best and take care of yourself,” his mother urged. Phu also had to say goodbye to his beloved pet dog, as he had volunteered for military service at the age of 18.

In the crowded send-off area, a young woman pushed through the crowd, clutching a bouquet of red roses to hand to her boyfriend. With time running out, she hurriedly passed the flowers to him and whispered, "Stay strong and take care."

Before boarding, Duc Anh ran back to his mother and grandmother, who were waiting nearby. His mother handed him a red envelope and wished him health, safety, and good fortune on his journey.

Trinh Ky Anh, born in 2006, had temporarily postponed his college studies to fulfill his military duty. His girlfriend couldn’t attend the send-off due to class, so his mother made a video call to help them say goodbye. “Stay safe, listen to your parents, and wait for me,” Ky Anh told her.

In one of the most touching moments of the morning, a young couple shared a passionate goodbye kiss, cherishing their final moments together before parting ways.

“Goodbye, grandma, goodbye mom and dad. I’m leaving now. I’ll call home whenever I can,” one recruit said, handing his bouquet back to his family before stepping onto the bus.

Pham Xuan Trung, a 2002-born graduate of FPT University, voluntarily applied for enlistment. His grandfather, Pham Xuan Nen, watched him intently from the bus door, struggling to hold back tears. “I slept next to him last night, encouraging him to do his best. Then, I woke up early to see him off today,” he shared.

As the buses began to depart, Phan Hoang Anh’s aunt stood silently, her eyes filled with tears, watching as her nephew left to begin his military service.