The diary of Đặng Thùy Trâm is a deeply moving account of a young Vietnamese doctor’s experiences during the Vietnam War. Written between 1968 and 1970, her journal vividly chronicled her day-to-day life amid danger, deprivation, and loss. In her entries, Đặng Thùy Trâm reflected not only on the horrors of war but also on her unwavering commitment to her patients and her country. Her words reveal the pain of seeing wounded comrades, the exhaustion brought by sleepless nights under bombing raids, and the bittersweet memories of her family and her youth that kept her going. Through it all, she expressed her hopes for peace and her longing for love and happiness, even as she understood the peril that surrounded her.

The diary also offers intimate insights into Trâm’s thoughts, emotions, and ideals. She wrote candidly about fear and loneliness but also about bravery, camaraderie, and the powerful sense of purpose that sustained her. Even when supplies were scarce and threats loomed large, she found comfort in music, letters from home, and fleeting moments of beauty in the natural world around her. Her writing is infused with both vulnerability and strength, illustrating the complexity of human resilience during crisis. Đặng Thùy Trâm’s words serve not only as a testimony to her sacrifices but also as a tribute to countless men and women who endured the same hardships.

After her death at the age of 27, Đặng Thùy Trâm’s diary was found and preserved by an American soldier who recognized its value. Decades later, the diary was returned to her family and published, resonating with readers in Vietnam and abroad. Through her honest and heartfelt writing, readers witness the courage and compassion of a young woman who, in the darkest of times, clung to hope and humanity. Her legacy reminds us of the personal costs of war, the importance of bearing witness, and the enduring power of empathy and love—even in the face of unimaginable adversity.