Journey of two Algerian souls to Vietnam, where their father made the ultimate sacrifice
WVR - On March 8, 1974, a tragic plane crash claimed the life of journalist Mahmoud Maidat, a reporter for Algerian Television. More than half a century later, his two daughters have returned to the land where their courageous father fell, honouring the longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Algeria.
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Reuniting after half a lifetime
On the day their father sacrificed his life, Badia Maidat and Siham Maidat were still innocent children, too young to fully grasp the meaning of loss. Their memories of him are fleeting yet warm moments. But for a greater cause, he had to leave his family and his homeland, Algeria, to fulfill his mission in distant Vietnam. Little did they know that this departure would become a farewell for eternity.
As time passed, the two sisters grew up with a void that could never be filled. Their father, journalist Mahmoud Maidat, became part of history, books, and stories, but never a true part of their journey into adulthood. It was not until 2023, when they first arrived in Vietnam, that they could fully face the reality of their loss. At that moment, standing before their father’s grave, these two women - who had already lived through much of life - finally, in the deepest way, "reunited" with him.
At that very moment, something miraculous happened. As Badia Maidat recalled, while offering incense at the Memorial for the Fallen Vietnamese and Algerian Journalists in Soc Son, a butterfly suddenly appeared, gently landing on the tombstone. In Vietnamese belief, butterflies appearing at significant moments are often seen as the souls of the departed returning. Tears welled up in their eyes - could it be that their father was there, silently watching over them, embracing the little girls he had left behind?
Just then, a ray of sunlight passed through the trees, gently lighting up the memorial. It was not too bright, but it carried a special warmth—like an unseen bridge between a father far away and his daughters who had long missed him. In that brief moment, they felt not only his presence but also the deep connection between him and the land that had embraced him in his final days.
Vietnam was not merely the place where their father had fallen - it was where his name had been etched with honor, where his story had been preserved, waiting to be told to the ones he had loved the most.
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| Ms. Badia Maidat and Ms. Siham Maidat (left) speak to Vietnamese media in an interview. (Photo: Pham Truong) |
Respect the land embraced their father's sacrifice
This was not the first time Badia Maidat and Siham Maidat had come to Vietnam to honour their father, but this journey carried a special significance.
Siham Maidat shared that from the very first moment she set foot in Vietnam in 2023, an overwhelming sense of familiarity filled her heart. As their plane landed at Noi Bai Airport, she did not feel like a stranger. Instead, the streets of Hanoi and the people there felt as if they had been part of her memories for a long time.
"Everything felt familiar, as if we had been here before, as if we had already met these people," she said emotionally.
For those who have never experienced this feeling, it is hard to put into words the deep connection the two sisters felt. It was not just a passing moment of surprise but an invisible bond, as if this land had quietly become part of their souls. Vietnam was not only the place where their father sacrificed his life but also a part of their blood, a piece of memory that could never be separated from their family across the world.
Through these journeys, Badia Maidat and her sister came to realize one thing: Vietnam was not just the place where their father rested - it was also family. It was not just a destination but a second home, a place where people treated them like their own, where memories were filled with emotions, and where their father’s presence always seemed to welcome them back with open arms.
A legacy for future generations
As one of the journalists accompanying the late Algerian President Houari Boumediene on his historic visit to Vietnam, Mahmoud Maidat was not only a reporter but also a witness to the deep friendship between the two nations. At that time, Vietnam was the final stop on President Boumediene’s Asian tour. As a journalist, Mr. Maida was on that flight with the mission of capturing those crucial moments and conveying the spirit of solidarity between the two nations to the Algerian public. Though he tragically lost his life, his sacrifice became a powerful testament to the strong bond and friendship between Algeria and Vietnam.
According to Mrs. Siham Maidat, Mr. Mahmoud Maidat was among the first generation of Algerian journalists after the country gained independence, a pioneering group that laid the foundation for modern journalism in Algeria. At that time, journalism was not merely a means of reporting news but an integral part of nation-building, helping to shape national identity and affirm Algeria’s presence on the international stage. Journalists like Mahmoud Maidat paved the way for the development of a professional, ethical, and dedicated Algerian press.
Following the tragic loss of Algerian journalists in Vietnam, Algeria launched the well-known program “Light Across All Regions”. This initiative not only showcased the rich diversity of Algeria’s landscapes but also served as a tribute to journalists who devoted themselves to their profession. The program’s launch, shortly after the journalists' passing, was a declaration that their contributions would never be forgotten.
“My father was part of the first generation of journalists after independence - those who laid the foundation and created a new wave in Algeria’s press revolution. They were not just journalists but pioneers, opening the path for future generations. And I am proud of that,” said Siham Maidat.
More than half a century has passed, but the legacy of the late journalist Mahmoud Maidat and his colleagues remains intact. This is not only a legacy for Algerian journalism but also a significant chapter in the history of Algeria-Vietnam relations, which was forged through shared struggles, silent sacrifices, and untold stories that will never fade.
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| Badia Maidat and Siham Maidat, along with representatives of the Algerian Embassy in Vietnam, offered incense at the memorial site. (Photo: Thu Giang) |
Strengthening the bond between two nations
According to Mrs. Badia Maidat, Vietnam and Algeria share a common history of struggle for independence. From resistance against French colonial rule to sacrifices made in defending national sovereignty, the two nations have always demonstrated a strong spirit of solidarity and an unyielding will against any adversary force.
For the two sisters, memories of those heroic years are not just the history of Vietnam or Algeria alone but a shared narrative of nations that were once oppressed yet never surrendered. Vietnam’s victory at Dien Bien Phu became a beacon that illuminated Algeria’s revolutionary path, inspiring its people to rise in the November 1954 Revolution and overthrow French colonial rule. When Vietnam subsequently continued its war against the United States, the Algerian people remained steadfast in their support, standing shoulder to shoulder with their Vietnamese brothers.
“Freedom does not come by chance. We must rise, we must fight. And this struggle never truly ends - it must be carried forward by each generation,” Siham Maidat emphasized. This is why the relationship between Vietnam and Algeria is not merely based on historical similarities but continues to be nurtured over time.
The bond between the two nations extends beyond the wartime years and remains strong to this day. Though Algerian journalists lost their lives in Vietnam, their sacrifice was not in vain - it became a symbol of noble international solidarity. Given this loss, the deep connection between the two peoples is even more cherished.
As Vietnam prepares to commemorate Reunification Day on April 30, the two sisters once again express their admiration for the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people. Mrs. Siham Maidat highlighted that unity and determination enabled both nations to overcome the most challenging periods in their histories. This same spirit will continue to serve as a bridge, further strengthening Vietnam-Algeria relations in the future.
For them, this visit to Vietnam is not merely a commemoration but a journey of reconnection - with history, with the memory of their late father, and with a nation that shares the same ideals of struggle. Though journalist Mahmoud Maidat has passed, his legacy remains, a timeless symbol of the friendship between Vietnam and Algeria.
| Fifty-one years ago, on March 8, 1974, a devastating plane crash claimed the lives of 15 journalists and technicians from leading Algerian media outlets—including El Moudjahid, APS, and Algerian Television—along with nine Vietnamese journalists and three crew members. To honour their sacrifice, both Algeria and Vietnam erected memorials in each country. In Vietnam, a memorial plaque was built at the crash site in Mai Dinh Commune, Soc Son District, and was inaugurated in October 2000 during the state visit of former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. |
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