Read "A Time to Remember" by Xuan Hoa

The memoir of less than 200 pages by journalist-poet Xuan Hoa, entitled A Time to Remember (The Writers Association Publishing House), was recently released to readers. True to the name of the book, it is “a time to remember” not only for the author but also for those who were present during the historic moments of the resistance war. Although it is called a memoir, the author of the book - journalist Xuan Hoa - does not talk much about himself but spends most of his time talking about his comrades and the fierce years of his life as a soldier.

Báo Sài Gòn Giải phóng•25/05/2025

Born and raised in a fairy-tale countryside in a family with a rich tradition of patriotism, Xuan Hoa soon revealed his straightforward and honest personality. While working as a full-time cadre of the district, Xuan Hoa volunteered to join the army, crossing Truong Son with his comrades to the Southern battlefield. Also here, the memories of the battlefield are deeply engraved in the author's heart, mentioned through stories about places such as Ham Luong River, Mo Cay Bac, I4 base... about comrades such as: The Southern female liaison, Forever your name, Commander Tran Hai Phung; Thu Ba Diem... Each land and person in A time to remember are associated with the author's profound memories, imbued with the love of comrades, the province's army and people.

Xuan Hoa's memorable time does not stop at the resistance war against the US, unifying the country. Only this time he looked at the war in a new position, that of a war correspondent. Xuan Hoa was one of the first reporters present when the Southwestern border war broke out. He devoted many pages with a huge amount of material to writing about the days following the soldiers in the land of Chua Thap, through lands such as Xa Mat, Thien Ngon, Sanun, Kroche, Ko Kong... meeting people such as political commissar Kim Van But, gunner Nguyen Duc Hung, soldier Le Van Hai... Each person, each place helped him weave a colorful picture of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers.

Xuan Hoa also devoted an important part to remembering his colleagues. They were the generation of senior journalists such as Vu Linh, Pham Dinh Trong, Tran Ngoc Thi, Mai Ba Thien, Minh Khoa, Do Ket... The story of the breakfast to see off two reporters to the front line of Mai Ba Thien (in charge of the Military Region 7 newspaper) was told by the author, imbued with brotherhood and comradeship. Xuan Hoa also had much affection for his comrades and colleagues who fought side by side with him during the "rememberable" years such as Tran The Tuyen, Vu Xiem, Le Hanh, Pham Van May, Mai Xuan Tho, Pham Si Sau, Nguyen Truong... Each story is a slice of the joys and sorrows of the time of war correspondents - military journalists.

Memories and the present intertwine to create endless inspiration for poet Xuan Hoa. At the age of 80, the son of the ancient fairyland is still full of enthusiasm. He has just celebrated his 25th anniversary as the Chairman of the Kinh Bac Poetry and Quan Ho Singing Club in Ho Chi Minh City. He still closely follows the activities of the Liaison Committee of the Liberation Army Newspaper - Military Region 7. And especially, his poetry and literature works still appear regularly in publishing houses, newspapers and television. Like a silkworm spinning silk, Xuan Hoa still works tirelessly every night on the writing page...

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Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/doc-mot-thoi-de-nho-cua-xuan-hoa-post796671.html