Perhaps no one in An Giang has not heard of the Vinh Te Canal and the stories behind it. This canal is not just a waterway, but also a conduit of arduous labor, sweat and tears, faith and hope. More than 200 years ago, when Thoai Ngoc Hau commanded thousands of workers to dig the canal, they faced countless challenges, difficulties, and harsh conditions... But eventually, the canal was filled with water, and their spirit and determination were as strong as the water itself, persevering through hardships to create the magnificent structure we see today.
The Vinh Te Canal passes through the Tha La sluice gate, located in Vinh Te and Thoi Son wards. Photo: THANH CHINH
To complete the Vinh Te Canal, countless people perished along its banks, never to see the fruits of their labor. Those who survived continue to recount their stories, of the relentless days under the scorching sun, of the torrential nights of border rain, yet their hands never stopped digging. They did this not only for their livelihood but also with pride – pride in a project that would protect and nurture their homeland.
The Vĩnh Tế Canal not only carries water but also legendary stories of the first settlers of Southern Vietnam who pioneered and expanded the land. Today, the canal carries water flowing into the Western Sea, along with the everyday stories of the people living along its banks. In the mornings, people row boats along the canal to sell vegetables and fish, their familiar calls echoing through the water. Every afternoon, as the fiery red sun sets behind the trees, children run, swim, and play on the canal banks. These simple images evoke memories of the most beautiful and purest aspects of human life along the Vĩnh Tế Canal.
Sitting by the canal bank, listening to the sound of flowing water, one feels as if they are seeing the images of previous generations, those who considered this canal an integral part of their lives. They lived, loved, and dedicated everything to this canal, to this land. Today, beside the Vinh Te Canal, people continue to dream of a prosperous and peaceful life, like the pure water that this legendary canal has brought to this land for so many years.
Now, that canal has become an integral part of the lives of the people in the southwestern border region, like a lifeline flowing through the lush green rice fields and peaceful villages. The people here love the Vinh Te Canal as much as they love their own lives.
Each rainy season, the water rises, bringing with it fertile silt to enrich the fields. The people joyfully prepare for the new planting season, trusting in the benefits the canal will bring. Watching the water flow, we hear the whispers of the past, feeling the perseverance of those who fell to build the Vinh Te Canal. We see the figure of Thoai Ngoc Hau – the heroic official who left a profound mark on history, dedicating his entire life to protecting and developing this land.
The Vinh Te Canal flows silently, tirelessly through countless seasons of rain and sunshine, like the quiet yet profound love of the people here for their motherland. Just listen, and you will hear the canal's rhythm, the heartbeat of the people of Southern Vietnam – simple yet resilient, just like the Vinh Te Canal itself. The Vinh Te Canal flows through lush green fields, embracing the sprawling rice paddies, bringing peace and prosperity to this border region. Thanks to its cool, refreshing water, harvests are increasingly bountiful, the rice stalks heavy with grain, and the bright golden rice stalks become a symbol of abundance and happiness.
Over the centuries, the Vinh Te Canal has become a symbol of the willpower and resilience of the people of Southern Vietnam. Whenever the Vinh Te Canal is mentioned, many remember the sacrifices of previous generations and their unwavering perseverance. For the people living in this area, the canal is not only a physical "heritage" but also a spiritual "heritage," motivating them to strive to overcome the difficulties of their daily lives.
The Vinh Te Canal serves as a reminder to today's generation of gratitude and responsibility to preserve and promote the traditional cultural values left by our ancestors. At the same time, it embodies the indomitable spirit and aspirations of the Vietnamese people in their journey of building and developing the nation.
TRAN SANG
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/doc-dong-kenh-vinh-te-a479613.html
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