This is the story of Party member and educator Ha Thach Cap and his family. Cap and his wife’s hometown is Cam Khe Town, Cam Khe District, Phu Tho Province. Currently, they reside in Trung Mon Commune, Yen Son District, Tuyen Quang Province.

Cap and his wife were both born into the Ha clan, which is known for valuing education, in the ancestral land of Phu Tho. They had six sons, all of whom they raised and provided with thorough education, leading them to academic success. All of them now work in government institutions. They have six daughters-in-law, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Remarkably, something few families can boast, the four generations of their family include 15 members of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Their family includes 1 associate professor, 3 people with doctorates, and dozens of people with master’s and bachelor’s degrees.

Ha Thach Cap was a former student at Hung Vuong High School in Phu Tho Town, Phu Tho Province. In 1951, he passed the entrance exam for the History Department at Hanoi University of Education. After graduating in 1956, he volunteered to work in the mountainous province of Tuyen Quang. Initially, he was assigned to work at the provincial education department. In 1959, he brought his wife and their first two sons from Cam Khe, Phu Tho, to settle in Tuyen Quang Town. At that time, he was assigned to teach history at Tan Trao High School in Tuyen Quang Town, Tuyen Quang Province.

In 1962, teacher Ha Thach Cap was admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam. In 1972, he was appointed as the principal of the Provincial Socialist Labour Youth School. The school was initially established in Kim Quan Commune, Yen Son District, Tuyen Quang Province. Later, it was relocated to Tan Trao Commune, Son Duong District, Tuyen Quang Province. Today, this school is known as ATK Tan Trao High School. This area was also a revolutionary safe zone during the resistance war against French colonial rule.

In the remote, rugged jungle, he strengthened his resilience and unwavering commitment as a Communist Party member.

In the remote, rugged jungle, he strengthened his resilience and unwavering commitment as a Communist Party member. At this school, many of his first-generation students later became accomplished individuals, holding high positions in the political system at both central and local levels. One outstanding student, whom the principal held in high regard, was given the middle name Sang (meaning “bright”) by his teacher, becoming Nguyen Sang Vang. Ha Thach Cap once shared: “His name was Vang.Swanted to add ‘Sang’ to his name because to be ‘resounding’ (vang), one must first be ‘bright’ (sang). He was diligent, intelligent, and later became very successful.”

Also in 1972, he and his wife sent their eldest son to the battlefield. At that time, his eldest son was not yet 18 years old. He and his classmates voluntarily joined the army. He joined the special forces unit, fighting on the battlefields of the South and Cambodia. Due to his outstanding achievements, he was admitted to the Party at the front. After nearly ten years of military service, his eldest son was demobilised and returned to teaching. Then he retired. However, he continued to participate in the work of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, and was also the Chairman of the Commune Veterans Association, Secretary of the village Party cell in Yen Son District, Tuyen Quang Province. His youngest daughter and her husband are both civil servants, and they are both Party members.

Their second son, Cap, is also a Party member. He was formerly the Standing Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee - Chairman of the People’s Committee of Yen Son District, Tuyen Quang Province. He is now retired. He and his wife have two daughters and two sons-in-law, who are all Party members. The eldest daughter has a doctorate and is currently a lecturer at the Party School named after President Ho Chi Minh. The youngest daughter was admitted to the Party while studying for a master’s degree in management in the Russian Federation.

Their third son was once considered for admission to the Party, however, due to work reasons, he asked the organisation to stop the admission. Before retiring, he was a Lieutenant Colonel of the People’s Army. Currently, although retired, he still volunteers as the Chairman of the Commune Veterans Association.

Their fourth son is a secondary school teacher. Both he and his wife are Party members. They have both retired.

Their fifth son is a former officer of the Vietnam People's Army. He holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and is a Party member. His wife was the former principal of a secondary school in Tuyen Quang Province and is also a Party member. They have both retired.

Their sixth son is an Associate Professor of Culture and Doctor of Mass Communication Media in Journalism. He is a Party member, currently a member of the Party Committee and Head of the Organisation and Personnel Department at the Academy of Journalism and Communication. His wife is a People's Public Security officer, Doctor of Law and Party member. They shared happily: "If we add up the number of years they were admitted to the Party, it's exactly 60 years."

In 2022, teacher Ha Thach Cap was honoured to receive the badge representing 60-year Party membership. That same year, he fulfilled his mission as a teacher and a true communist Party member. He and his wife both left this world with everyone's respect.

In 2026, the eldest son of teacher Ha Thach Cap will gain 50-year Party membership. His youngest son recently celebrated 30 years of Party membership. If we calculate roughly, the total of 15 Party members in the extended family of teacher Ha Thach Cap have a combined 300 years of Party membership.

Ha Thanh Son, the eldest son of teacher Ha Thach Cap, shared: “I am proud to have been admitted to the Party in the military during the days when our country was celebrating national reunification. I had the honour of joining my comrades in the special forces to attack the Phu Lam Radar base, destroying the enemy's communication network so that our troops could advance to liberate the inner city of Saigon. 50 years after the South was liberated and the country reunified, my wish is to return to the Thu Duc battlefield — the gateway to the former inner city of Saigon — where I recited the Oath of Honour when I was admitted to the Party."

If we calculate roughly, the total of 15 Party members in the extended family of teacher Ha Thach Cap have a combined 300 years of Party membership.

Proud of the tradition of a family with many Communist Party members, the youngest son of teacher Ha Thach Cap, Party member and Associate Professor Dr Ha Huy Phuong said: “My family is proud to have up to 15 Party members across three generations. Grandparents and parents are bright examples of learning and training for their children and grandchildren to follow and strive for. I respect and am grateful for the teachings of my parents. Thanks to their upbringing, our siblings and descendants have become good people.”

Despite not being a Party member herself, my mother played a significant role in nurturing us to become Party members. She once served as a volunteer worker on the Dien Bien Phu battlefield in 1954 and was awarded the Third-Class Resistance War Order for her contributions to the fight against the US. There are Party members in both our small families and our greater family. Each Party member serves as a model of exemplary conduct, inspiring others to strive for self-improvement and growth.

Dr Ha Thuy Mai, Party member, Lecturer at the Institute of Culture and Development under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, and granddaughter of teacher Ha Thach Cap shared: "From the exemplary model of my grandfather, a dedicated teacher and Party member, as well as my uncles, aunts, and father, I was inspired to study and train myself to earn the honour of joining the Party. Now, as a lecturer at the largest Party school named after our great leader Ho Chi Minh — the founder and mentor of the Party — I feel immense pride and unwavering faith in the Party. I will strive to be worthy of the noble traditions of my Communist Party family."

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year (the Year of Snake), celebrating the 95th founding anniversary of the glorious Party, best wishes are extended to the family of Party member and educator Ha Thach Cap. It is hoped that they will continue their steadfastness and unwavering confidence as they follow the Party into the new era — an era of national rise and prosperity!

Published: February 2025
Content: Trung Hieu
Translation: NDO
Design: NDO
Photos: Ha Thach Cap and his family's members