Hong Nhung writes about 'sleepless nights because of news of Typhoon Yagi'

Singer Hong Nhung wrote about her pain at the devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi, and believed that people would join hands to rebuild the "blue sky" after a series of trees fell.

Born and raised in Hanoi, Hong Nhung said she was heartbroken by the devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi. The singer wrote a song expressing her love for Hanoi. VnExpress Introducing the article by singer Hong Nhung.

My sister sent a message with a picture of the fallen ancient banyan tree in front of the Cathedral: "Sister, Hanoi is like the end of the world today!". The storm passed, leaving behind a sadness that will go down in history. The familiar streets are now in disarray and ruins, so pitiful.

Nationwide, many people lost their lives, soldiers sacrificed their lives while on duty. Now, it is a mountain of effort, money, and especially the solidarity of the people of the whole country in cleaning up and rebuilding from the loss and devastation.

I tossed and turned last night, unable to sleep, half asleep, half awake, half asleep, so many memories flooded back. My childhood and my friends grew up with deprivation, poverty but not suffering because they were embraced and nurtured under the lush shade of two rows of ancient dracontomelon trees on Dien Bien Phu Street. On summer days, the trees dropped thousands of sparkling sunlight flowers for children to run and chase, and when it rained, the leaves spread out to form a large umbrella. We were like little birds taking shelter from the rain in a cartoon. When the rain stopped, the trees playfully teased us with drops of water or even a sudden stream of water pouring down from above, right on each of our heads, making us laugh out loud.

Hong Nhung (sitting) and friends take a souvenir photo next to an ancient tree on Thanh Nien Street in Hanoi in 1986. Photo: Provided by the character

When I was born, there was a big longan tree in front of my house, and every year there was a bustling harvest of fruit in the whole neighborhood. I don't know if that old longan tree is still standing today. The first song I wrote - My Dream (My dream) - the opening is: "My childhood, a tiled roof with an old longan tree...". To me, the tree is sometimes a friend, sometimes an adult, protecting and whispering advice. At the age of 19, my family and I left house number 11 Dien Bien Phu, saying goodbye to the longan tree. Now I don't know whether I should come back to visit again, or not, to keep the image of the kind old friend, always by my side, so that I am never lonely. No matter what, the longan tree will always be in my soul, forever lingering in the notes of the song I first wrote.

At my grandmother's house - when I stayed for a year in high school because my father was away on a business trip, my father and grandmother planted a small banyan tree. The tree grew day by day, very tall. I kept wishing I could grow half as fast as the tree. I watered the tree, counted the leaves every day, and felt like I had a new friend. Later, Luu Ha An wrote a song for me Dad's Banyan Tree , I played it for him, he cried, tears of happiness.

Hong Nhung performs "Father's Banyan Tree" (composed by Luu Ha An) about childhood memories with her father. Video: YouTube Viet Vision

Right at the corner of my house is Ton That Thiep Street, a small street but full of tall milk flower trees. When I was little, I looked up and thought the tops of the trees could touch the sky. The scent of the flowers in season is so sweet that it becomes pungent. Therefore, I prefer to enjoy the scent of the flowers from afar on my street rather than standing right under the tree. Are there any trees that have fallen down now?

The singer with his father when he was one year old. Photo: Character provided

The road I cycled to school every day was named Phan Dinh Phung, with rows of trees intertwined to form a canopy like a cool, green cathedral. The laughter and conversations of my girlfriends while cycling slowly between rows of familiar old trees will forever remain in my young soul. Even when I am 70 years old or older.

Thanh Lam (left) at 20 years old and Hong Nhung, 19 years old, on Trang Thi street in Hanoi. Photo: Character provided

The storm passed, like an overnight "war", leaving behind bare branches, tangled old roots, sadness, regret for the loss of the roots that carry the soul and romantic feelings of so many people who love their homeland. Today we clean up, so that tomorrow we can together nurture new life, knowing that future generations will have back the rows of trees, the fairy-tale umbrellas, the blue sky to dream about.

I am very sad about the common loss, but I still believe in life, as long as we start that life together.

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