Giap's childhood was associated with tough years. His family was poor and had to borrow money with high interest to live. Once when the little Giap followed his mother to row a "nôốc" (boat) to carry the "ló" (unhusked rice) to clear the family's debt, he had to sit in the sun on the "nôốc" to wait for his mother while she had to run to and to around the wharf carrying the "ló" on her head.

When he was young, his mother told him about General Ton That Thuyet assisting King Ham Nghi to deliver the Can Vuong royal proclamation calling out to the feudal intellectuals and the people to stand up against the French to protect the country. Similarly, his father told him about the Movement against the French via the folksong "that thu kinh do" (Fall of the capital). These touching stories left deep unforgettable impressions on Giap. Wasn't it that these impressions contribute to forge General Giap's strong will in his future revolutionary career?

Yes, it was because it was indeed his hometown with deep sentimental attachments where there were his grandparents, parents forever resting in peace.

General Vo Nguyen Giap visiting the Quang Binh Quan (Gate), a heritage of Dong Hoi Citadel.

The people of Quang Binh welcoming General Vo Nguyen Giap to his hometown, November 2004