More than three decades have passed since the province was separated, but the people who once lived together under one roof in Binh Tri Thien still retain their memories. Moreover, the joy of living, working, and studying together, sharing both joys and sorrows in a common homeland, has returned, mingled with renewed faith and love as Quang Binh and Quang Tri come together again in a new spirit and with new opportunities...
Working together, with one heart and mind, united by a shared destiny.
We met Mr. Nguyen Huu Thang (in Vinh Linh) one day in June, when the reorganization of provincial-level administrative units had been approved by the National Assembly . Accordingly, the two provinces of Quang Binh and Quang Tri were merged into a new province called Quang Tri. Having shared the same efforts and hearts with the officials and people of Binh Tri Thien and having a beautiful love story with a girl from Quang Binh, Mr. Thang carried many emotions.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Thang (on the left) shares his memories of the days spent together in Binh Tri Thien province with reporters - Photo: M.D.
He said that after the country's liberation, many cadres, teachers, and staff from Quang Binh and Vinh Linh were assigned to other localities in Quang Tri province. In 1978, Mr. Thang graduated from Hue University of Education, returned to Dong Ha to teach at several schools, and participated in literacy programs.
Later, he was sent for intensive training and assigned to work as an administrator at several schools in Dong Ha. “In 1979, while I was the principal of the Secondary School in Ward 3, Dong Ha, I met Ms. Tran Thi Minh, who had come from Dong Hoi to reinforce the teaching staff. At that time, Minh was a beautiful and excellent teacher, a core member of the science teachers' team. The mutual support and understanding between us gradually led to the development of feelings between us,” Mr. Thang recounted.
From then on, Mr. Thang and Mrs. Minh always worked together, teaching students during the day and providing supplementary education at night for cadres who had matured during the resistance war, eradicating illiteracy among the people. Like many of their colleagues at that time, they faced many difficulties because their homeland was still riddled with the wounds of war. In simple, makeshift classrooms thatched with bamboo, they ate, lived, and worked together, building houses for the people. "Despite facing so many hardships, we were always loved and supported by the leaders and the people."
"In the Bình Trị Thiên community, teachers, especially those from Quảng Bình, no longer feel out of place but more at ease, fulfilling their duties as if they were working in their own hometown," Mr. Thắng shared. Working together and being close, the love between Mr. Thắng and Ms. Minh deepened. In 1984, they got married and returned to work and live in Vĩnh Linh.
According to Mr. Thang, the "bond" between Quang Binh and Quang Tri has existed for a long time, as the two provinces share similarities in history, culture, customs, and traditions; both experienced fierce wars; share a common dialect and many folk songs... Especially during the resistance wars against France and the United States, the army and people of Quang Binh and Quang Tri fought together, supporting and protecting each other to realize the promise: "...on the day of victory, we will be together in one home..." (*).
After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Thang continued to dedicate themselves to supporting various organizations and groups in educational, cultural, artistic, and sports activities. Their children inherited many valuable qualities from their parents, all excelling in their studies and training, establishing themselves in their careers, and contributing to the development of their homeland.
“For me, the days I spent living and working in our shared homeland, Binh Tri Thien, will forever be beautiful memories. Currently, my wife and I maintain active participation in the Quang Binh expatriate association in Vinh Linh, and we regularly socialize and attend my wife's class reunions in Dong Hoi. Every time we meet, my wife's friends treat me like a classmate, being friendly, cheerful, and there is never any distance between Quang Binh and Quang Tri. Because, more than anyone else, they understand that we once lived under one ‘roof’ in Binh Tri Thien and will eventually share a home together, as we once promised,” Mr. Thang said.
“Remember the days when even a grain of salt was divided in half” (**)
Despite facing countless difficulties and shortages, from the leaders to the people of Binh Tri Thien, everyone was united, sharing hardships and working diligently to build a new life. For Mr. Tran Thanh Phong (born in 1962), currently residing in Cua Tung, his memories of the "shared province" are of days spent sweating alongside his brothers and colleagues on construction sites, determined to contribute to rebuilding the country and meeting the needs of trade and transportation for the people.
Mr. Tran Thanh Phong often tells his grandchildren about the time he worked with his brothers and colleagues at the Hue Railway Construction Joint Enterprise - Photo: M.D.
He recounted: “In 1982, I started working at the Hue Railway Construction Joint Enterprise. Every day, we were responsible for inspecting, maintaining, detecting and repairing damage, and handling incidents on the North-South railway line passing through Binh Tri Thien, ensuring smooth railway transportation. Although we had to work in complex terrain and faced many difficulties and harsh conditions, we always reminded ourselves: The land of Binh Tri Thien has a rich revolutionary tradition, stained with the blood of our ancestors who fought to protect our seas and skies. Whether our homeland is prosperous and beautiful now depends on the hands and minds of our generation.”
In 1983, Mr. Phong married a woman from Vinh Linh who worked with him at the same factory. His first son was born in 1986, and after a while, he and his wife had to go work on a construction project far away. “Leaving my son in Vinh Linh with his maternal grandparents, at first, I was filled with countless worries and longing for him. But when he went to kindergarten, my son received so much love and support from the teachers and neighbors. My son grew up surrounded by everyone's care without any discrimination based on his father's Quang Binh and his mother's Quang Tri origins,” Mr. Phong confided.
He said that although the work involved traveling and living in many different locations throughout the Binh Tri Thien region, wherever he and his wife and colleagues in the unit went, they received genuine kindness and assistance from the people. Deep in their hearts, they now all feel like brothers and sisters in the same province, one family. Working under conditions of limited and inconsistent equipment and materials, everyone strived to overcome difficulties and complete all tasks.
Life was still difficult, but it didn't diminish their affection; on the contrary, it motivated them to work together, strengthening the bond between the people of Quang Binh and Quang Tri. At night, the brothers in the camps would light torches and lamps to practice performing arts and sing for each other to dispel fatigue. The days of sharing a bowl of rice and a grain of salt helped them mature and deepen their love for labor.
Over the past period, Mr. Phong has been closely following news regarding the policy of merging administrative units at all levels, paying particular attention to the issue of merging provinces. He happily said: “Now, I am very excited that the two provinces of Quang Binh and Quang Tri have merged into a new province named Quang Tri. My wife, children, and grandchildren are all happy because after many years of connection, we can now proudly call out ‘Quang Tri,’ our shared homeland.”
Continue writing about acts of kindness and gratitude.
Deeply cherished are the memories of "one family," the people of Quang Binh who once shared the same province still remember the kindness that the people of Quang Tri have shown them, and therefore want to contribute to Quang Tri in many ways.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Tham (on the right) is always ready to go on relief missions, delivering gifts directly to people affected by natural disasters and calamities as a token of gratitude to the land that once sheltered and supported her - Photo: NT
Ms. Nguyen Thi Tham (born in 1958), currently residing in Dong Ha, was born and raised in Le Thuy. Her father is from Gio Linh, and her mother is from Quang Binh. In conversation with us, Ms. Tham jokingly remarked that her "background" sounds complicated, but it really just revolves around one particular region.
In 1975, after completing her duties in the Quang Tri battlefield, she was transferred to work at a cooperative in Gio Linh. The country was devastated by bombs and bullets after liberation, and the people were still impoverished, so cadres like Ms. Tham were no better off. However, she was supported and cared for by the people, who shared with her, bringing her cassava and sweet potatoes, and engaging in warm conversations. For her part, she always treated the people like family and encouraged and helped them with all the knowledge and ability she possessed.
In 1978, Ms. Tham returned to work at the Binh Tri Thien Trading Company in Le Thuy. Later, she engaged in small-scale business and trade, then expanded her operations into wood processing and import/export in Quang Tri, returning to the land that had nurtured and protected her during her youth.
In 2005, Ms. Tham established Xuan Hoa Private Enterprise in the Nam Dong Ha Industrial Zone. Besides managing the business, she has always been concerned with charity and social welfare. She said: “Whenever I hear about people suffering losses due to natural disasters, especially the people of Quang Binh and Quang Tri, my heart burns with anxiety. I always want to dedicate time to personally visit, encourage, and give practical gifts to help them overcome difficulties. I also mobilize many others to join in ‘relief’ for the people. For me, that is also a way of showing gratitude.”
In addition, Ms. Tham actively provided material support to veterans and the poor in Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien Hue provinces. “Before the merger of Binh Tri Thien province, people's lives were still difficult, but they maintained a spirit of solidarity, love, and sharing. With this merger, I believe that the people of Quang Binh and Quang Tri will remain deeply connected, bringing development to the new province. I am very happy to have lived through many changing moments in my homeland. I will continue to contribute to writing the story of gratitude that I always carry with me,” she said emotionally.
Thirteen years of shared provinces, each day filled with memories of hardship, camaraderie, and deep affection, lingering in the hearts of many people from Quang Binh and Quang Tri. Now, reunited in a new form, everyone is confident and hopeful that the new path will be more open and prosperous for these two homelands, which have always been deeply connected...
Minh Duc
(*) Excerpt from the song "Quang Binh, My Homeland", composed by Hoang Van
(**) Excerpt from the song "Quang Tri, My Beloved", composed by Tran Hoan
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/dam-sau-ky-uc-mot-nha-194532.htm
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