This cadre was born in 1927 in the district of Tinh Gia in Thanh Hoa. He worked in propaganda and youth associations (thanh nien) at the commune level, holding several leadership positions. He also taught binh dan hoc vu classes and taught in schools. He joined the Army in 1950 and was sent to China in 1953 for a course in artillery training. He participated in the Dien Bien Phu campaign.