My grandmother's old radio

My grandmother's old radio - Photo 1.

The grandmother and granddaughter are pictured at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in 2020.

It was an ordinary Sunday morning, just like any other. The whole family went to visit Grandma. The adults chatted lively while I sat hunched over in a corner of the house, wearing headphones and listening to my favorite music.

Thirty minutes passed. Then an hour.

Suddenly, I felt very uneasy and apprehensive. That's right, there's another place I call the 'secret room,' a damp, old, dusty place I've never explored before at my grandmother's house.

I climbed the stairs, each step seemingly stretching endlessly. Finally, I reached the fourth floor. Looking up, I saw an old, dusty wooden door. I pushed gently. It wouldn't budge. I needed a little more force.

"Click."

The door opened, and my eyes fell upon an old radio lying silently.

I hesitated, then reached out and tried turning it on. No sound came out except for a few faint crackling noises.

I hurried down to the kitchen with the radio, where my grandmother was busy cooking. At that moment, the delicious aroma of the food no longer held any appeal for me. I needed to know. I needed to hear the story behind these mementos.

"Grandma, this radio looks so old! Tell me about it!" I tugged at her hand, jumping up and down like a three-year-old.

My grandmother smiled, her eyes thoughtful, then gently nodded. She stopped cooking, leaving it to my grandfather, and together we went up to that old room.

The door creaked softly as it opened. I followed, my heart filled with anticipation. She stood before an old wooden table, where the radio, untouched for years, was now covered in the dust of time. She slowly sat down on the simple bed, her trembling hands caressing the mementos as if each touch brought back the warmth of bygone memories.

My grandmother's old radio - Photo 2.

My grandmother (second from the left), photographed at the Voice of Vietnam radio station .

"Back then, my child, when your grandmother and grandfather were just teenagers in their twenties, things were so far away. At that age, while we were still students, war was already so close. Grandma had to leave Hanoi and go all the way to Thai Nguyen to escape the bombs and bullets. At that time, she was still in school; she had no idea the war would come so quickly."

She paused for a moment, her eyes gazing into the distance, as if reliving her past self.

"She remembered that at that time, she didn't have to bear the heavy burden of responsibility like the soldiers out there. They carried heavy loads of bombs and ammunition, bearing immense responsibility on their shoulders. Sometimes, their lives were more fragile than death. While so many people out there had to put their studies on hold for the sake of the country, she decided to dedicate herself to the country through intellectual pursuits, a gift she was fortunate enough to receive."

She sighed, a hint of sadness lingering on her face. I looked at her, sitting silently, my heart filled with mixed emotions.

"At that time, she had just started her career in journalism and was assigned to write about radio programs broadcast to the South. She recorded the events and statistics of the war, as well as encouraged our forces on the battlefield."

Each piece of writing tugged at her heartstrings, not because of the words themselves, but because of the anxieties and losses that could not be put into words. She wrote about brave soldiers, but she could never fully capture the feelings of uncertainty and fear she experienced. Only those who lived through war can truly understand those feelings."

She paused for a moment, as if wanting to stop and rediscover herself in those painful memories. Then she continued, her voice becoming gentler.

"Nevertheless, during those months, one thing always remained. That was the belief, the hope that one day, we would live in peace. And when she heard the news that the two regions had been reunified, she, her son, and so many others were overwhelmed with joy."

She paused for a moment, as if reminiscing. I sat still, listening intently to every word, every sentence.

"I remember hearing the news on April 30th; at that time, this radio was the link connecting me to the whole country. When the announcer said, 'Saigon has been completely liberated, the country is unified,' everyone burst into tears—tears of joy, happiness, and a long-awaited dream that had never been realized."

I saw the corners of her mouth curl slightly, forming a gentle smile.

"That same year, my grandparents got married. To commemorate this day, my grandmother named my father Hoai Nam. Hoai here implies the intense feeling of joy, while Nam means the South."

"And this radio… it was this radio that led her to such an important decision. Every time she sees it, she remembers that day, the day her country was liberated, the day she and so many others dreamed of a peaceful Vietnam."

My grandmother's old radio - Photo 3.

My grandmother, celebrating the 93rd anniversary of Vietnam Press Day.

I looked up at her, my eyes silently holding a multitude of unspoken feelings. In my heart, even though she wasn't one of the soldiers directly fighting on the battlefield, I understood that within her heart burned an boundless love for her country.

It was her burning desire for peace, the silent contributions she dedicated entirely to her country.

The unspoken worries, the unseen sacrifices—all are contained in the words she wrote, in every step she painstakingly took to contribute a small part to the development of the Vietnamese nation.

Looking back on what she went through, I realize how fortunate I am. A small woman like her dedicated her youth to the country, living through turbulent times.

I wonder, if I were in that situation, would I be as brave as she was? I don't know what the future holds, but I know one thing for sure: I want to become a useful person, to live in a way that is worthy of the sacrifices of previous generations.

Thank you to our readers for submitting entries to the Peace Storytelling Contest.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of peace, the "Stories of Peace" writing contest ( organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper , sponsored by Vietnam Rubber Group, running from March 10 to April 15) invites readers to submit touching and unforgettable stories from families and individuals, as well as their thoughts on the reunification day of April 30, 1975, and the 50 years of peace.

The competition is open to all Vietnamese people, both in Vietnam and abroad, regardless of age or profession.

The "Stories of Peace" contest accepts submissions of up to 1,200 words in Vietnamese, with the encouragement of including photos and videos. Please send your submissions to hoabinh@tuoitre.com.vn . Only submissions via email will be accepted; submissions by post will not be accepted to avoid loss.

High-quality entries will be selected for publication in Tuoi Tre's publications, and will receive royalties. Entries that pass the preliminary round will be published in a book (no royalties will be paid - the book will not be sold). Entries must not have been submitted to any other writing competition or published in any media or social networks.

Authors submitting entries are responsible for the copyright of their articles, photos, and videos. Images and videos taken from social media without copyright will not be accepted. Authors must provide their address, phone number, email address, bank account number, and citizen identification number so that the organizers can contact them to send royalties or prizes.

Saigon, April 30th and Mom - Photo 2.

As of April 10th, the "Stories of Peace" writing contest had received 470 entries from readers.

Award ceremony and book launch for "Stories of Peace".

The judging panel, comprising renowned journalists and cultural figures along with representatives from Tuoi Tre newspaper, will review and award prizes to entries that have passed the preliminary round and select the best entries to receive awards.

The awards ceremony, book launch of "Stories of Peace," and the special issue of Tuoi Tre newspaper on April 30th are tentatively scheduled to be held at the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street at the end of April 2025. The organizing committee's decision is final.