50 years of national reunification: A touching story about two sisters named 'Vietnam'

Dear two Vietnamese words

That was the emotional confession of Ms. Tran Thi Hoai Nam, parent of Dieu Minh, class 3/7, when she was present at Tran Hung Dao Primary School, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City - her child's school, during the festival "From Mau Than to Great Spring Victory" held here on April 16.

Watching the documentary films at the festival, listening to historical stories told by veterans who directly participated in the 1968 Tet Offensive and Uprising and the 1975 Ho Chi Minh Campaign on stage, Ms. Nam was moved to tears.

But when she saw the students performing together, forming a map of the Fatherland to the background music of the song "Like having Uncle Ho on the great victory day", and the flycam also projected the entire map of Vietnam on the big screen in the middle of the school yard, she burst into tears with emotion.

Veterans who directly participated in the 1968 Tet Offensive and Uprising and the 1975 Ho Chi Minh Campaign recount historical stories on stage.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Ms. Tran Thi Hoai Nam burst into tears when listening to historical stories 'From Mau Than to Great Spring Victory', watching students perform, and arranging images of the map of Vietnam in the school yard.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Nam’s maternal grandfather and father were both in the army, participating in the resistance wars that brought independence, freedom, and unity to the country. In her parents’ house in Hanoi, there are many medals of her father.

Nam's two sisters are both from the 8X generation, born and raised in Hanoi. The older sister was named Tran Thi Hai Viet - meaning the sea of ​​Vietnam. Hoai Nam is Tran Thi Hoai Nam. The names of the two sisters combined form "Vietnam".

Ms. Viet is living in Germany. Ms. Nam is living in Ho Chi Minh City.

"My father named me Hoai Nam with the meaning of "remembering the South", "looking towards the South". And as fate would have it, after graduating from the Trade Union University, I went to Ho Chi Minh City to live, work, and have my own small family. My three children were all born in Ho Chi Minh City - in the South - where my father fought", said Ms. Hoai Nam.

"When I was little, my friends often teased me, saying that my name sounded like a boy's. But when I grew up, when I learned the meaning of my name and my sister's, and understood why my father named me that way, I felt very proud. Since I was a student, I participated in many activities of the Youth Union, associations, and volunteer movements... When I grew up, every time I watched documentary films about Vietnamese history, I felt very moved. The spirit of patriotism and national pride naturally ran in my blood," the female parent confided.

Students perform in the festival From Mau Than to Spring Victory

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Students of Tran Hung Dao Primary School perform and form a map of Vietnam in the school yard to celebrate the 50th anniversary of national reunification.

PHOTO: TRAN HUNG DAO PRIMARY SCHOOL

Ms. Le Thanh Huong, Principal of Tran Hung Dao Primary School, District 1 with students on the festival day

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Children love their country more from his stories and the songs they listen to every day.

Hoai Nam's father is 74 years old this year. She said, "My father joined the army in 1971, was discharged in 1986, and in 1987 he changed his career and worked until 1992 when he retired and lived in Hanoi."

Ms. Nam said that a few years ago, when he was still healthy, her father visited the South. His children and grandchildren took him to visit the Cu Chi tunnels, the Independence Palace and many historical sites in Ho Chi Minh City.

"During these historic April days, in the jubilant atmosphere of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification, my father in Hanoi was also very busy and emotional. Although he really wanted to visit Ho Chi Minh City, his health did not allow it. My father was far away, recalling old memories with his comrades. His children and grandchildren helped him print souvenir photos from previous trips," Ms. Nam shared.

Hoai Nam's father on his return to Ho Chi Minh City to visit Cu Chi tunnels a few years ago.

FAMILY PHOTOS PROVIDED

Ms. Hoai Nam next to the photo exhibition space about Cu Chi tunnels at Tran Hung Dao Primary School on the morning of April 16.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Students of Tran Hung Dao Primary School participated in experiences at stations that helped review the heroic history of the nation, such as the stations 'Bright Tunnel of Faith', 'Road to the Front', 'Footprints of Time', 'Moments of the Country', 'Young Soldiers Tell Historical Stories', 'April 30 in My Heart'...

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Nam’s eldest child is currently in 7th grade in District 1, the second child is in 3rd grade at Tran Hung Dao Primary School and the youngest child is about to enter 1st grade this year. Since childhood, the children have listened to their grandfather tell stories about the past battles. They also read books and watch historical films and documentaries with their parents.

Nam's family always maintains "music time" - time for music every night. Nam loves red music - revolutionary music, so in the list of songs played during this time, there are always 3 red music songs, followed by the children's favorite songs.

She always believes that books, historical films and music will be a gentle and natural way to help children love their country more, be proud of their ancestors' traditions, and from there live with aspirations and dreams to build and protect the Fatherland, and protect the peace they have.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/50-nam-dat-nuoc-thong-nhat-chuyen-xuc-dong-ve-hai-chi-em-gai-ten-viet-nam-185250416142850268.htm