No longer two hometowns...

Despite being separated by an administrative border, Quang Binh and Quang Tri (formerly) remain two intertwined sources in the cultural flow of Central Vietnam. Similarities in geography, history, and people have early on created strong and enduring bonds. Families from both regions, people from Quang Tri (formerly) establishing their lives in Quang Binh (formerly), and hearts that have never treated each other as strangers... all contribute to the natural closeness between the two lands. And when the administrative boundary is erased, that connection becomes even deeper and more complete.

The three-generation family of Mr. Van Ngoc Than - Photo: GĐCC

Romantic relationships

In a spacious house in Dong Thuan ward, Quang Tri province, Van Ngoc Son (born in 1973) slowly flips through a worn-out family photo album. Gently stroking the black-and-white photos capturing his father's youth, Van Ngoc Than (born in 1935), Son says proudly: “My father was originally from Hai Lang, Quang Tri (formerly), and was a cadre who relocated to the North during the anti-French resistance. Many returned after liberation, but my father chose Quang Binh , the place that sheltered him, as his place of residence and dedication. He was once the Deputy Director of Quang Binh Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company. This land of ‘Lao winds and white sand’ has become his second home, marking countless significant events in his life.”

During his years living and working in Quang Binh, Mr. Than met, fell in love with, and married Lam Thi Thanh Tung (born in 1937), a woman from the "Two Excellences" region. They had five children together, with Mr. Son being their only son. In 2011, Mr. Son married Tran Thanh Binh, a gentle and virtuous woman from Quang Binh. Their small family continued to be a connecting link between the two regions.

For him, the merger of the two provinces is not just a change in geographical boundaries, but also a confirmation of the many years his family has lived between the two regions. "Many generations of my family have lived, worked, and loved both of these lands. Now that they are one province, I believe everything will become even more convenient, closer, and richer in affection," Sơn expressed.

For Mrs. Le Thi Phung (born in 1964) in Residential Group 14, Dong Thuan Ward, the merger of Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces was a touching "milestone," a perfect fulfillment of the steadfast love she and her husband had cherished for nearly four decades. In her youth, the student from Gio My, Gio Linh, Quang Tri (formerly) met and fell in love with a police officer from Quang Binh who was serving in the former capital.

And in 1987, they officially became husband and wife. In 1990, Ms. Phung followed her husband to Quang Binh to become a daughter-in-law. Life at that time was full of hardships, but the kindness and care of the people of Quang Binh made her feel loved and protected. “Having been a daughter-in-law in Quang Binh for 38 years, I have never felt like I was from a different place. I find the people of Quang Binh and Quang Tri not much different; they are all honest, deeply caring, and love wholeheartedly. Now, hearing the news of the merger, I am as happy as if I myself have returned home, no longer a ‘daughter-in-law in a foreign land,’ but… one of my own family,” Ms. Phung said emotionally.

Throughout Quang Binh province, it's not difficult to find families with roots in Quang Tri who have settled down and established their lives there. They have woven together shared homes, where Quang Binh and Quang Tri are no longer just two provinces, but two streams flowing into one another in kinship and marital affection. Marriages between husbands from Quang Binh and wives from Quang Tri, or vice versa, have contributed to the formation of strong, loyal, and affectionate "family lines from two hometowns." In these relationships, the merger doesn't cause division or disruption, but rather creates synergy, closeness, and companionship.

“The Quang Tri Hometown Association in Quang Binh was established in 2012 with about 50 members. To date, after more than 13 years of operation, the number of members has increased to 450, mainly in Bo Trach, Quang Ninh and the former Dong Hoi City. The association operates on a voluntary basis, with funding contributed by its members,” said Tran Van Luan, Chairman of the Quang Tri Hometown Association in Quang Binh.

Love transcends boundaries.

To foster unity, people from Quang Tri living, working, and studying in Quang Binh have come together to establish the Quang Tri Hometown Association in Quang Binh. Amidst the changes of the times, the association quietly continues to play its role as a "bridge" connecting those far from home, so that despite geographical distance or busy lives, they still have a place to return to, to share and preserve the identity of their ancestral land.

Wedding photo of Mrs. Le Thi Phung and her husband - Photo: GĐCC

Having been established and developed for over 13 years, the association is not only a warm and friendly home but also a place that spreads humanistic values ​​and fosters a strong sense of camaraderie. Mr. Tran Van Luan, the association's chairman, shared: “People from Quang Tri are inherently resilient and simple. No matter where they go or what they do, they always yearn for their ancestral homeland. Therefore, the association not only helps people meet and visit each other during difficult times but also organizes charitable activities such as: visiting their hometown during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year); providing support to people affected by natural disasters; promoting education and talent development...”

Every year, on National Day (September 2nd) or the Lunar New Year, the association organizes gatherings to reminisce about their hometown, offer encouragement, connect generations, and foster pride in the heroic Quang Tri province. A special feature is that in recent years, the association has also played a "bridge" role between the two localities, connecting information, sharing job opportunities, and coordinating support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Many members who are sons-in-law or daughters-in-law of Quang Binh have become active participants in the association's activities, helping to bridge local boundaries and strengthen the bonds of friendship.

The merger of Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces, in addition to being an administrative shift, also represents a natural connection of human relationships and long-standing cultural ties. In this context, the role of the Quang Tri Provincial Council in Quang Binh becomes even more important, serving as a spiritual anchor and a symbol of the aspiration for shared development within a "larger home," bridging the gap between the two provinces.

Peace of Mind

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/khong-con-hai-que-195544.htm