Chi Lang – a land steeped in the heroic history of the nation's resistance wars. Originally a valley with the Thuong River flowing through it, stretching nearly 20 kilometers, the valley is bordered by the Thai Hoa – Bao Dai mountain range to the east and the majestic Cai Kinh rocky mountain range to the west. I am fortunate to have been born, raised, and grown up in this incredibly poetic and peaceful land.
Source of the Thuong River
In the 1981-1982 school year, we enrolled at Chi Lang A High School. Our teachers and older students welcomed us with the stirring and proud melody of "We are Chi Lang students" (composed by Mr. Nguyen Van Ngoc, a teacher at the school). Besides striving for academic excellence and good conduct, we also participated in labor, going down to the Thuong River next to the school to carry sand for building the school and classrooms. In our eyes, the Thuong River was beautiful and dreamy, with the evening smoke mingling with the fragrant scent of freshly cooked rice in the tranquil villages along the riverbank…
We formed a group of nearly two dozen members, similar to a poetry and literature club today, called "Song Thuong Literature and Arts." In almost two years, the group created hundreds of works of poetry, essays, short stories, music, plays, and paintings, and published two 24-page handwritten special editions of "Song Thuong Literature and Arts," each with well-organized sections. |
In early 1983, I was a student in class 11D. Although I wasn't particularly good at literature, I was respected by my classmates for having many poems, short stories, and articles published in domestic newspapers and even in the "Soviet Women's" photo magazine abroad. Some friends who loved literature befriended me, and we often met to discuss literature and writing. So we formed a group of nearly twenty members, similar to a poetry and literature club today, called "Song Thuong Literature and Arts." In almost two years, the group created hundreds of works of poetry, essays, short stories, music, plays, and paintings, and published two 24-page handwritten special editions of "Song Thuong Literature and Arts," with very well-organized sections. In addition, many student works were published in several local and national newspapers and magazines. In particular, the December 1983 issue of the Military Region 1 Newspaper dedicated half a page to articles by the "Song Thuong Literary Group".
Through the creative writing and literary exchange movement, the group members have made significant progress in their studies. Many have been selected to participate in the student literary competition, winning awards at the provincial and national levels.
On November 8, 2025, Chi Lang High School hosted a meaningful and vibrant extracurricular literary program titled "The Source of the Thuong River," bringing together renowned artists from the central and local levels with over 200 students. During the event, Colonel Dang Vuong Hung, former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the People's Police Newspaper and World Security Newspaper, discussed the image of the soldier in the defense of the Fatherland. Colonel Dang Vuong Hung also mentioned the founding of the "Thuong River Arts and Literature Group" 43 years ago. This group's emergence was like a breath of fresh air, enlivening the atmosphere with joy and enthusiasm…
Continuing the tradition
In a conversation with me, Mr. Hoang Manh Hung, Principal of Chi Lang High School, enthusiastically shared: "The school's Literature Club continues to operate regularly and vibrantly. To date, 53 members have joined (including 42 students from grades 10 and 11), participating in regular monthly activities and field trips for creative writing at historical and cultural sites inside and outside the province."
Over 60 years of construction and development, Chi Lang High School has continuously strived to become one of the exemplary educational institutions in the province.
“Besides cultural and artistic activities, many other activities have also achieved important results. In the past 5 years, the school's teaching and learning have achieved many outstanding results. The school has won 2 national-level student excellence awards and 365 provincial-level student excellence awards. The high school graduation rate has reached 100% for the past 3 consecutive years…” - Mr. Hoang Manh Hung emphasized.
We understand that the school currently has 30 classrooms, along with subject-specific classrooms, meeting the requirements of teaching and learning. The school grounds are well-built, green, clean, and beautiful, providing a friendly and modern learning environment. The school has over 1,150 students and 73 staff members, teachers, and employees; 100% of teachers meet the required training standards, with over 20% having qualifications above the standard.
Mr. Hoang Quoc Tuan, Director of the Department of Education and Training, stated: Chi Lang High School is one of the exemplary units of Lang Son's education sector in implementing fundamental and comprehensive reforms in education and training. The school has been proactive and creative in applying information technology and implementing digital transformation in management, teaching, and learning; building a modern, friendly educational environment that helps students develop comprehensively. This is the result of the efforts, sense of responsibility, dedication, and dynamism of the school's staff and teachers – those who are always at the forefront of innovation. It is believed that, with its 60-year tradition, Chi Lang High School will continue to be a shining example and a model of innovative, creative, and humane schools in Lang Son's education during the digital transformation and integration period.
Pride - Spreading
From the Thuong River, one can see the growth of the school's cultural and artistic life, as well as many other activities. Here, many teachers and students have continued to grow and make significant contributions in various fields. Members of the "Thuong River Arts and Culture Group" include: Pham Tuan Ngoc, former Deputy Director of the Hai Duong Provincial Electricity Company; Nghiem Xuan Thanh, former Head of the Education and Training Department of the former Chi Lang District; Trinh Ngoc Chinh, former Director of the People's Procuracy of the former Cao Loc District. Notably, Ms. Doan Thi Hau, Bachelor of Literature, Master of Social Sciences and Humanities, former Secretary of the Youth Union of Chi Lang High School, is currently the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council of Lang Son. Former students of the school later became provincial leaders such as Mr. Nguyen The Tuy, former Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Vy Van Thanh, former Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and former Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee…
I vividly remember a friendly meeting where Dr. Pham Ngoc Thuong, Permanent Deputy Minister of Education and Training, shared: “I was born and raised in Dong Dang town, formerly Cao Loc district; but my second home is Chi Lang. During my time as a temporary resident (during the 1979 border conflict), I spent three years studying at Chi Lang High School. I consider it my homeland, the place that nurtured and educated me into the person I am today…”
Chi Lang High School celebrates its 60th anniversary, proudly reflecting on its traditions and expressing gratitude for the immense contributions of previous generations. At the same time, it is determined to strive continuously to ensure that its beloved school remains a shining example of education in Lang Son, contributing to building a more prosperous, civilized, and sustainably developed Chi Lang homeland…
Source: https://baolangson.vn/dau-an-mai-truong-xua-5064754.html
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