82 Cherry Blossom Trees – 82 Marks of Gratitude to UTT Students at the Northern Frontier of the Nation
In the sacred atmosphere of spring at the northernmost frontier of the Fatherland, in Đồng Văn, beneath the Lũng Cú National Flag Tower – a sacred symbol of national sovereignty – University of Transport Technology (UTT), in coordination with the Alumni Association, the Veterans Association, and students’ parents, organized the planting of 82 Sakura cherry blossom trees at the site that once served as the stationing and combat area of former students who enlisted in August 1978. This meaningful activity was held within the framework of the program “Spring Footsteps at the Border,” reflecting the tradition of gratitude and remembrance toward those who have contributed to the defense of the Fatherland.
The number 82 cherry blossom trees carries not only ecological significance but also sacred symbolism associated with the 82 students of the Intermediate School of Road Transport (now University of Transport Technology) who enlisted in 1978 and directly participated in defending the northern border. During one of the most challenging periods in the nation’s history, they left their lecture halls, set aside their youthful aspirations, and donned military uniforms to fight at the front lines of the country. Some returned to continue contributing to society, while others heroically sacrificed their lives, leaving their youth behind in the remote borderlands.
Out of profound pride and gratitude toward the preceding generation, the University’s Board of Management together with today’s UTT students selected and presented exactly 82 Sakura trees as a symbol of tribute. Each tree planted is not only a green shoot of life but also a mark of remembrance — a symbol of tradition, patriotism, and responsibility that generations of UTT students have inherited and upheld.
Sakura cherry blossoms — a flower symbolizing vitality, renewal, and hope — once rooted in the frontier land, will bloom each spring as a vivid testament to the continuity between past and present. These rows of trees will become “rows of remembrance,” reminding today’s and future generations of students of a heroic era and of the students who were ready to dedicate their youth to safeguarding the sacred independence and sovereignty of the nation.
The tree-planting activity carries not only commemorative significance but also profound educational value in fostering tradition. It contributes to nurturing ideals, inspiring pride, and strengthening a sense of responsibility among students. By personally planting each tree on this historic land, today’s UTT students have connected with the University’s enduring legacy, gaining a deeper appreciation of the value of peace, sacrifice, and the responsibility of continuation.
From the 82 student footsteps that set out for military service in 1978 to the 82 cherry blossom trees planted at the frontier today, this is a seamless connection across generations — a circle of gratitude, responsibility, and pride. As the young trees take root and grow among the rocky mountains of the border region, so too does the spirit of UTT continue to be nurtured, spread, and sustainably developed, reaffirming the University’s proud tradition in education, national construction, and defense.
This meaningful activity once again affirms the role of University of Transport Technology not only as an institution training high-quality human resources but also as a cradle that nurtures ideals, tradition, and civic responsibility for generations of students — those who will continue to write new chapters in the history of the University and the nation.
Some images from the tree-planting event:
Representatives of the leadership of University of Transport Technology taking commemorative photos with veterans who are former students of cohorts K26–27–28, enlisted in August 1978.
University of Transport Technology
