The wind still blows on both banks of Hien Luong River.

In the vast and passionate literary legacy of writer Xuan Duc, a son of Vinh Linh, Quang Tri, a profound mark has been left with many famous works. The novel "The Wind's Gate" is one of his representative works, possessing exceptional artistic value and truthfully reflecting the depth of reality of war. Unlike novels that portray war through glorious victories or heroic legends, "The Wind's Gate" focuses on the brutality of war and expresses the intense desire for survival amidst destruction and devastation.

In the novel, the wind becomes a symbol of the yearning for peace , blowing through the pain and bridging the two sides of the dividing line. The Ben Hai River and the Hien Luong Bridge—symbols of the painful separation—are recreated as evidence of the desire for reunification. With profound experience from the battlefield, Xuan Duc has created a deeply moving picture, affirming a truth: the wind still blows across the banks of Hien Luong, and war cannot divide the hearts of the Vietnamese people.

Writer Xuan Duc is one of the classic figures of modern Vietnamese literature. With over 20 years of fighting on the fiery battlefield of Quang Tri , he transformed those harsh experiences into emotionally rich and authentic writings. His debut work, the two-volume novel "The Wind Gate," about the people and land on both banks of the Hien Luong River, was awarded the Vietnam Writers Association Prize in 1982. In 2007, he received the State Prize for Literature and Arts for three works: " The Man Without a Surname ," " The Wind Gate, " and "The One-Legged Bronze Statue." In 2022, he was posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts for the scripts: "Obsession," "Fleeting Faces," "Mission Accomplished," and the play collection "Certificate of Time ." With these immense contributions, he has left a lasting mark on the hearts of readers and the national literature.

"The Wind's Gate" is a massive two-volume novel with 42 chapters, realistically and movingly depicting the life and unwavering fighting spirit of the people in the Vinh Linh border region during the most brutal years of the war against the US (1965-1968). With a writing style deeply imbued with the spirit of Quang Tri province, and a simple yet profound narrative voice, "The Wind's Gate" embodies a realistic style, flexibly combining it with modern elements in its structure, tone, and the psychological depth of its characters. It is considered one of the ten outstanding works of literature from the 1975-1985 period. "The Wind's Gate" profoundly reflects historical reality and is a pioneering milestone in the post-war literary renewal. Its distinctly local tone makes the work resonate like the voice of the homeland echoing from those unforgettable years.

Mr. Chẩn's family is a typical, symbolic representation of the silent yet immense sacrifices of the people of North Vietnam during the war. Mr. Chẩn, a widower, lives with his three children: Quyền, Thìn, and Lợi. Each child represents a different perspective on the war, a different aspect of life. Quyền, a fisherman who accepted danger to join the supply team to Cồn Cỏ Island, embodies the unwavering, indomitable spirit of the people of Vĩnh Linh. His wife, Thảo, is the embodiment of a woman on the home front, both strong and vulnerable, burdened by the fear of loss and the guilt of being unable to dissuade her husband. Lợi, the youngest son, is the bond that connects the shattered souls after the seemingly permanent loss of his older brother.

He carries within him the faith, aspirations, and renewed vitality of a succeeding generation, looking towards the future. Mr. Chẩn, the father—the pillar of the family—bears the fate of a “riverside erosion,” enduring loneliness and the feeling of being left behind in the resistance struggle. Other characters, such as Political Commissar Trần Vũ, Trần Chính, Commander Thường, Battalion Commander Lê Viết Tùng, Village Militia Commander Cảm, Ms. Thảo, and little Cần, all contribute to a comprehensive picture of the lives and struggles of the people in the border region. They are a microcosm of a divided country, yet the hearts of its people remain undivided.

The recurring symbol throughout the work is the image of wind, carrying the echoes of life, aspiration, and reunion. The wind blows through the battle lines, through all the brutality, reminding the reader that: "The wind does not divide the banks of Hien Luong." Through each chapter of the novel and its multifaceted characters, "The Wind's Gate" emerges as a vibrant chronicle, a tearful yet hopeful epic about humanity and the Vietnamese nation in a time of both suffering and heroism.

Xuân Đức's novel "The Wind's Gate" is an epic poem imbued with humanistic values, profoundly recreating the tragedy of war and the strength of the Vietnamese people on the front lines of Vĩnh Linh-Quảng Trị. Through representative chapters such as the first chapter, the last chapter, and chapters 17, 21, 33..., the author reflects the brutal reality of war, vividly portraying the qualities of countless resilient people in the struggle to reclaim their lives and dignity.

Right in the first chapter, we encounter the pounding waves of Cua Tung, foreshadowing the impending events. “Cua Tung Sea. One April night in 1965.” “ The sound of the waves grew heavier and heavier… the water crashing against the rocks sounded like stumbling, then scrambling back up and rushing away. Stumbling again, getting up again, muttering curses…” – the imagery of wind and waves, a natural landscape, symbolizes the turbulent and brutal reality. This is the prelude to the epic poem of the war of national defense.

Gunfire erupts at sea, parachute lights flicker, small wooden boats plunge into enemy encirclement... all create a breathtaking scene. In this chapter, the character of Thao emerges as a symbol of the pain of women on the home front: "She clutched her child tightly to her chest as if afraid of losing that last comfort. Tears streamed down her face, soaking her child's hair ." This emotion is not unique to Thao, but also the shared sentiment of an entire generation of Vietnamese women during the war—those who silently endured loss and suffering, yet remained stronger and more resilient, contributing to a solid home front, like an impenetrable fortress, supporting the front lines in their relentless assault.

Quyền's unexpected return in the final chapter is a deeply moving epilogue. The character of Mr. Chẩn—the father who seemed to have silently accepted the pain of losing his son—is stunned by the news that Quyền is still alive. "He stood motionless, his eyes staring blankly as if he could no longer believe anything." The joy is overwhelming, but it is accompanied by anxieties about feelings, about moral responsibility, a true expression of a man who has experienced much pain and loss.

War divided the banks of the Hien Luong River, turning the peaceful Ben Hai River into a dividing line between the two sides of the country. However, this division could not separate the feelings and patriotism of the people of both regions. Despite living in a state of separation, they maintained their faith, loyalty, and willingness to sacrifice for the aspiration of national reunification. Love and loyalty are among the recurring themes. In Chapter 42, Thao returns to the front lines, "visiting, " not simply a trip, but a journey of love and responsibility. She dares not make promises but silently sacrifices. Tung, the soldier, only dares to entrust "a note for Can," because "there's nothing here that can be given as a gift... I'm so sad, sister." Behind that simple handwriting lies a profound, unspoken emotion.

In "The Wind's Door , " the characters' psychology is explored deeply, clearly showing their pain and intense desire to live. From Thao's bewildered and uncertain feelings about Quyen's survival, to her despair upon hearing of his death, she still manages to pick herself up and accept the truth to overcome it. The line, "The wind still blows, I still live, even though everything is lost," reflects a resilient spirit, a fragile solace she finds within herself, even though it is still steeped in sorrow. Each character in the work carries their own burden; they are not only victims of war but also people who intensely yearn for a peaceful future, cherishing the dream of survival and building a beautiful life, even while teetering on the brink of death.

The image of "wind" in the title is a natural element, a recurring symbol. The wind blows across the battlefield, across shattered lives; the wind brings a sense of movement—life continues despite immense loss. "The wind does not divide the two banks of Hien Luong"—this symbolic affirmation expresses the truth: the country may be geographically divided, but the hearts of the people always remain united, their feelings inseparable.

In the final chapter, life still rises, like the undying faith in the hearts of the soldier, the mother, the wife. “ I will live, I must live! Death must belong to them. Otherwise, how can there be truth in this world!” – Tùng’s whispered words of determination are proof of an indomitable spirit that will never surrender.

"The Wind's Gate" is writer Xuan Duc's affirmation that war cannot divide hearts steadfast in their love for the country. Characters like Mr. Chan, Thao, Tung, Quyen... all live with the belief that after suffering comes reunion, after separation comes unification. The work is a prayer for peace, for a brighter tomorrow, where "the wind is no longer a cry but a song of reunion."

Through more than 40 chapters, "The Wind's Gate" recounts a wartime story—it evokes emotion, makes us cry, and convinces us that the Vietnamese people can overcome any tragedy through love, faith, and silent sacrifice.

Xuan Duc's novel "The Wind's Gate" makes a strong impression thanks to its system of symbolic images rich in poetic quality, such as wind, riverbanks, fields, letters, and the wife's eyes... These images create an emotionally charged artistic space, deeply reflecting the soul and fate of people during wartime. Xuan Duc's writing style is simple yet profound, harmoniously combining harsh reality with lyricism, creating a unique style. His voice is both authentic and deeply emotional, contributing to the portrayal of a masterpiece imbued with local identity and historical-humanistic significance.

"The Wind's Gate" is a tragic epic of the people in the border region during the fierce years of war. Through the image of the wind—representing freedom, vitality, and faith—Xuan Duc has depicted a profound message: the human heart is like the wind connecting the two banks of Hien Luong, war cannot divide them. The image of the wind in "The Wind's Gate" is a symbol of freedom and vitality, evoking the aspiration for peace spreading everywhere, as musician Trinh Cong Son once wrote: "the wind of peace blows in all directions...the dawn illuminates the future."

Le Nam Linh

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/gio-van-thoi-doi-bo-hien-luong-193381.htm