My name is Vo Thi Sau born in 1933 in Dat Do , Ba Ria province.
I grew up in a homeland rich with patriotic tradition, where I witnessed early on the brutal oppression and killings committed by the French colonialists against our people. Those scenes ignited within me a burning hatred and an unshakable will to stand up and fight.
At the age of fourteen, I joined the revolution with my older brother and went to the resistance base to fight under the Việt Minh. I was assigned to the commando police unit, responsible for delivering messages, supplies, and completing missions to the best of my ability.
During that time, I took part in many battles to defend my hometown. More than once, I discovered spies and French collaborators, helping my comrades avoid danger or boldly launching attacks on the enemy when necessary.
In July 1948, the Dat Do commando police received orders to disrupt the rally celebrating the French National Day. I knew it would be a difficult and dangerous mission… but I volunteered to carry it out myself.
I received a grenade from the organization and hid it in a corner of the market near the grandstand the night before. The next morning, the enemy herded civilians into the yard for the ceremony. When the provincial chief's car approached, I immediately threw the grenade toward the grandstand, creating chaos and disrupting the rally.
Two nearby commando teams opened fire to support me, causing the enemy to panic and helping me retreat safely. Việt Minh members stationed within the crowd shouted loudly, "Viet Minh attack!", guiding civilians to disperse from the area.
After this operation, I was commended and assigned a new mission: eliminating traitors and collaborators — among them the notorious, cruel village chief Tong.
In November 1948, I carried a grenade and blended into the crowd waiting to receive identification papers. In the middle of the session, I hurled the grenade directly into the place where Tong was working, then shouted:
"Viet Minh attack!"
I grabbed the nearby women and ran.
The grenade exploded; Tong was severely wounded but survived. Even so, the attack terrified the French troops at the post — they no longer dared to hunt down the Việt Minh as fiercely as before.
In February 1950, I was once again tasked with throwing grenades to eliminate two French informants, Ca Suot and Ca Day — but afterward, I was unfortunately captured.
For more than a month in Dat Do prison, despite brutal torture, I refused to confess. The enemy then transferred me to Chi Hoa Prison, where I continued to work as a messenger for my fellow inmates. Along with other imprisoned women, I organized protests demanding better living conditions.
Threatened by my unwavering spirit, the French colonialists and their collaborators held a trial and sentenced me to death. I was transferred with other revolutionaries to Con Dao Prison. Because of my courage and resilience, I was admitted into the Vietnam Labour Party and officially recognized as a Party member on the very night before my execution.
When I received the death sentence, I did not tremble. I shouted:
"Down with the French colonialists!"
"The resistance will surely triumph!"
In 1952, shortly before my execution, a priest offered to perform a baptism for me. I refused and said:
"I have no sin. Only those who execute me are guilty."
On the way to the execution ground, I firmly refused to kneel and demanded that they not blindfold me:
"There is no need to cover my eyes. Let me look upon my beloved homeland until the last moment — and I have the courage to face your rifles!"
After speaking, I began singing Tien Quan Ca — the Vietnamese national anthem.
When the soldiers cocked their guns, I stopped singing and cried out my final words:
"Down with the French colonialists! Long live Vietnamese independence! Long live President Ho Chi Minh!"