Gentle August

Despite the lingering heat of August, we can still sense the gentle arrival of autumn. The seasons are changing, with more afternoon and nighttime rains, and cool breezes bringing autumn back to our homeland, Ha Tinh .

The gentle footsteps of autumn are gradually making their way from afar... Photo: Quoc Khanh.

According to the 24 solar terms of the year in Eastern countries such as Vietnam, China, Japan, and Korea, the beginning of autumn (Lập thu) each year starts around August 7-8, when the sun is at a longitude of 135 degrees, and ends around August 23-24. Lập thu means the beginning of autumn.

According to the calendar, that's how it should be, but from the end of July, we begin to feel the gentle footsteps of autumn from afar. There are afternoon rains that nourish everything, soothing the intense heat of late summer. There are gentle, cool breezes, slightly chilly near dawn. The sky seems clearer and higher with more white clouds from the sunny days. And most noticeably, the fragrance of magnolia blossoms wafts in the wind. This characteristic flower blooms most profusely in autumn, pure white, pristine, and sweetly delicate. In the fields, the summer-autumn rice is in the heading stage, and will ripen before the storms arrive. At the beginning of autumn, the average temperature is still quite high, and hot days still remain, as our ancestors used to say, "August's sun scorches the pomelo," but the number of sunny days is much lower than in the summer months.

Nature is like that; each season has its own voice, its own sound, stirring up the emotions of the human heart. Autumn in Vietnam has always been an endless source of inspiration for poets. Autumn poetry is the voice of those captivated by the enchanting beauty of the third season of the year. When autumn arrives, people are filled with indescribable emotions. A lullaby echoes in the tranquil space of autumn nights: “The autumn wind lulls the child to sleep / Five long watches of the night, five watches of sleep.” Ancient poetry says: “When one paulownia leaf falls / The whole world knows autumn has arrived.” The beginning of autumn in The Tale of Kieu is associated with truly beautiful images: “A few paulownia leaves have fallen from the golden well,” “The bottom of the water reflects the sky / The city walls are shrouded in blue smoke, the mountains bathed in golden light,” “The maple forest, autumn has already tinged the landscape.”

Autumn in Vietnam has always been an endless source of inspiration for poets. Photo: internet.

The changing seasons, as the poet Huu Thinh describes them, with their "summer clouds stretching halfway into autumn," stir up excitement and anticipation in many hearts. While adults are more subdued, reminiscing about past autumns of their homeland, rejoicing in the new autumns of today, and feeling anxious as the rainy season approaches, children are bustling with excitement, preparing clothes and books for the new school year. Those preparing for their final year of school are getting ready to review their knowledge. Summer isn't over yet, and many families are taking their children to visit scenic spots in their homeland, and to visit grandparents and relatives before the new school year begins. Books are waiting for them to turn their pristine pages. After a summer, the warm sunshine still lingers on the faces of children running and playing their childhood games, yet they all seem unusually eager and joyful. Starting early for the new school year, schools are focusing on renovating facilities, implementing training programs on various topics, and teaching with new textbooks… The achievements of the golden season of education in the 2022-2023 school year are further fostering a love for the profession among the "nurturing of future generations" in the studious land of Ha Tinh.

August marks a significant milestone in the hearts of millions of Vietnamese people, symbolizing the revolutionary autumn, the founding of the nation, the opening of schools, and Independence Day. A vibrant atmosphere of preparation for the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd pervades every construction site, factory, enterprise, agency, and residential area in Ha Tinh. Songs praising the country, homeland, the Party, and President Ho Chi Minh blend with lively dances taking place in many villages and neighborhoods. Many sports clubs have begun training for the tournament celebrating National Day. Many families are planning trips for the long holiday.

The Deo But Tunnel, located on the Vung Ang - Bung section of the North-South Expressway, is the only road tunnel in the 107.22km expressway passing through Ha Tinh province.

Taking advantage of favorable weather before the rainy season, many construction projects are accelerating their progress. On the main section of the expressway and the Deo But road tunnel, specifically the Vung Ang - Bung section, Son Hai Group (Quang Binh) is mobilizing manpower and machinery to focus on construction. Contractors working on package 11-XL Bai Vot - Ham Nghi, part of the North-South Expressway Eastern section (2017-2020), namely Vinaconex and General Corporation 319 (Ministry of National Defense), are also racing against time, accelerating construction progress to meet the set deadlines.

On the hillsides of Huong Khe, farmers are diligently tending to their specialty Phuc Trach pomelo trees in preparation for the harvest season in late August and early September. Other crops such as oranges and tea are also being carefully cared for. Their sweat has been poured into the soil, creating bountiful harvests, filling the air with the sweet fragrance of autumn, and contributing to a season of abundance and happiness.

The sweat that falls creates bountiful harvests.

“August, the autumn is so green/ Clouds drift lazily/ Today the sky is so beautiful/ Our clouds, our beautiful sky…” These verses by To Huu, written nearly 70 years ago, have resonated with generations, evoking the autumn of independence and peace in our country under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh. Through countless upheavals and wars, nearly half a century of living under a peaceful sky and a unified nation, we cherish even more the sacrifices and contributions of our ancestors, and grow to love the autumn of Vietnam even more…

Bui Minh Hue

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/van-hoc/diu-dang-thang-tam/252411.htm