Võ Thị Sáu was born in 1933 in Phuoc Long Tho (Dat Do), during the turbulent period when French colonial forces re-occupied Southern Vietnam. Growing up amid hardship and oppression, she developed a strong patriotic spirit from a very young age. At just 13, she began supporting the local guerrilla movement—carrying messages, supplying food, and observing enemy activity. These early tasks marked the beginning of her remarkable revolutionary path.
Early Years in the Resistance (1946–1949)
In 1947, Võ Thị Sáu followed her elder brother to the Long My resistance base and joined a junior militia training course. She soon became the youngest member of the Dat Do Special Task Force. Between the ages of 14 and 16, she took on numerous high-risk missions such as reconnaissance, relaying information, tracking traitors, and guiding armed units across enemy-controlled areas.
From 1948 to 1949, she participated in several operations to punish notorious collaborators. Among them, the most famous was the grenade attack on a French meeting at the Dat Do market on July 14, 1949. The bold act shocked the colonial authorities, who immediately placed her on their “most wanted” list and issued a bounty for her capture.
Arrest, Torture, and Imprisonment (1950–1951)
In late 1949 or early 1950, during an operation targeting a brutal local chief, Sáu was discovered and arrested. She was first detained at Dat Do and Ba Ria prisons before being transferred to the notorious Chi Hoa prison in Saigon. Despite brutal interrogations, she refused to give any information, steadfastly protecting her comrades. A French military court later sentenced her to death—even though she had not yet turned 18.
In 1951, Võ Thị Sáu was transported to Con Dao and imprisoned in the infamous Tiger Cages of Phu Binh Camp. Even behind bars, she continued to resist, uplifted the spirits of other female prisoners, and remained unwavering in her belief in the revolution’s ultimate victory.
Martyrdom at Con Dao and Her Everlasting Legacy
At dawn on January 23, 1952, French forces escorted Võ Thị Sáu to the execution ground on Con Dao. Calm and fearless, she refused to be blindfolded and declared proudly that she had committed no crime—except, as she said, “not being able to eliminate more enemies of the nation.” She was executed at the age of 19, leaving behind an immortal example of courage and patriotism.
In 1993, she was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces by the Vietnamese State. Today, her grave at Hang Duong Cemetery in Con Dao is one of the island’s most sacred sites. Thousands of visitors come each year to offer incense, pay tribute, and reflect on her sacrifice.
For travelers visiting Con Dao, paying respects at the grave of Võ Thị Sáu is not merely part of a sightseeing itinerary—it is a profound and emotional experience, a reminder of the bravery, ideals, and enduring spirit of a young woman who gave her life for her country’s freedom.
