September. Autumn in Hanoi, the most beautiful season of the year. The autumn of the earth and sky, the autumn of revolution, people's hearts and life are closely intertwined, coming together happily like a festival.
Early in the morning of August 29, the ancient streets of Trang An were filled with flags flying to celebrate the National Day of September 2 and the 78th anniversary of the August Revolution. The golden sunshine stretched out. On Hoang Dieu, Phan Dinh Phung, Dien Bien Phu, Hung Vuong streets… facing the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, yellow leaves fell like a carpet. On the flagpole at the top of Hanoi’s flagpole, the national flag fluttered in the wind, a good omen for the lasting autumns of national independence and socialism…
The above essay by Ut Mui Ne is quoted from the personal page of a close friend of To Ha and Khac Nang, a beloved son of Hanoi. That day, 56 years ago, To Ha turned 17 years old, she added one more year to her age and ran away from home to join the 812 Youth Volunteer Company of the capital, writing a petition in blood, ready to dedicate her youth - to join the whole country in the battle. A week later, To Ha was present at the front line of Zone IV, living and fighting, serving in the battle, clearing the way under the fierce rain of bombs and bullets, in the years 1967 - 1970.
After a bomb destroyed the ferry bridge, Squad Leader To Ha of Company 812 and Company Leader Khac Nang of Company 811 of Hanoi met again on the front line. They were cadres of the Hoan Kiem Corps and the Hanoi Youth Union. Their friendship and love were beautifully connected under bombs and bullets and beside the majestic Truong Son forest flowers.
On her personal page, To Ha recounted: August 29 is her 75th birthday. She was born at Phu Doan Hospital, now the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Hospital, and grew up in the care and love of her parents and family; she grew up in the cradle of Trang An culture. After the success of the August Revolution, the whole country entered the resistance war against the invaders. Trang An culture and the spirit of the August Revolution resonated in the youthful souls of To Ha and many young people in Hanoi and the whole country.
On August 29, 2023, in that bustling atmosphere, a golden-rimmed cyclo that tourists often "visit" Hanoi streets on "City Tours" appeared. The old couple To Ha and Khac Nang wore luxurious clothes, ao dai and a suit and tie, with a smartphone, they "visited" the streets while taking pictures and filming. When they arrived at Thanh Quan High School, 29 Hang Cot Street, when they were in high school, they stopped the cyclo to take pictures, remembering old memories. The former student in the blue old-town ao dai, under the golden autumn sunlight, hummed a song about Hanoi's autumn: "Hanoi in autumn, yellow rice trees, red-leafed banyan trees lying side by side, old streets, old houses, dark brown tiled roofs..." From somewhere, on the other side of Hang Cot Street, suddenly came the sound of a guitar playing the song Hanoi and I (Le Vinh): Where I was born Hanoi. The day I was born was a burning day. The small alley, the small street where my house is. At night, I lie down and listen in the wind. The sound of the Red River sighing. The days I wandered. I just understood the soul of Hanoians. So simple, yet I am so moved. So simple, yet I remember forever…
Such is the complete love of the two former squad leaders and company leaders of the Youth Volunteers 811 and 812. They are ready to dedicate and sacrifice their youth for the Fatherland. They work selflessly, dedicating their talents and intelligence to building peace. They love Hanoi, the land that gave birth to and nurtured the thousand-year-old cultural soul... in the autumn sky of Hanoi. Happy birthday, when they are old, they still have a burning love for Hanoi, love for the Fatherland of Vietnam and a burning love for each other, a shining example for their children and grandchildren to follow: Living happily, living healthily, living happily in the cradle of Trang An culture!
***
Mr. and Mrs. To Ha and Khac Nang wish that one day in the near future they will return to Ho Chi Minh City to visit Nha Rong Port, from where Uncle Ho left to find a way to save the country. From the city named after him, the two former youth volunteers will have the opportunity to follow the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay - Phan Thiet expressway to visit the historical site of Duc Thanh, where the patriotic young man, teacher Nguyen Tat Thanh stopped to teach and spread the flame of patriotism to young people and students. Phan Thiet - Binh Thuan is very beautiful, with favorable terrain and people, open potential for developing resort tourism, a destination for many old ladies, old gentlemen and domestic and foreign tourists...
Source
Comment (0)