A song about 'Regions of Love'

QTO - In 2019, author Dang Hieu Dan quietly released his "firstborn" - the poetry collection "Colors and Fragrances of Flowers". As poet Nguyen Huu Quy, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers Association branch in Quang Tri province, put it, it is "a simple, unpretentious, and straightforward poetic soul, yet not at all superficial or frivolous," with flowers as the lyrical subject, conveying a message about life and embodying many thoughts and anxieties. After nearly 7 years, in the early days of spring 2026, the "flower lover" returned with "Beloved Regions" - a poetry collection likened to a "train" carrying memories, childhood nostalgia, and a soul deeply connected to nature through each place on the beloved S-shaped land of Vietnam.

"Forming a bond" with poetry

Poet Dang Hieu Dan (born in 1982, from My Thuy commune, Le Thuy district, former Quang Binh province, now Tan My commune, Quang Tri province), currently works in Da Nang city. His childhood by the Kien Giang river, steeped in layers of culture, and the poetic "blood" flowing through generations of his family have shaped Dang Hieu Dan's unique poetic soul. He recounts that he was greatly influenced by his father, a soldier, yet his soul was always sensitive, insightful, and deeply in love with nature and poetry. He also drew inspiration from his mother, who has published three poetry collections.

Then, whether poetry found him or he "strayed" into poetry, it's still difficult to explain. He only remembers the feeling he got whenever a good poem was published on the school's bulletin board back then, which would fill him with joy for days. At that time, he didn't dare use his real name, only pseudonyms. Once, after a parent-teacher meeting, his father kept praising a poem on his younger son's bulletin board with a very unusual author's name. That memory gently and simply nurtured the love of poetry in the village schoolboy's heart, a small sense of "pride" towards his father.

Later, despite pursuing a career in the railway industry, seemingly unrelated to poetry, his love for poetry never faded. He continued to work diligently with fellow poets, sharing his unique feelings about nature and plants. In 2019, he published his first poetry collection, "Colors and Fragrances of Flowers." This also served as a bridge connecting him to poet Nguyen Huu Quy, a person who greatly cherishes young writers.

The poetry collection "Regions of Love" - ​​Photo: Thanh Son

Recalling his memories, poet Nguyen Huu Quy shared: “When my close friend, the late poet Tran Quang Dao, former Editor-in-Chief of the Children's Newspaper and also a native of Quang Binh , introduced me to the manuscript of "Flower Colors and Fragrances" by young writer Dang Hieu Dan—a 'technical person' who also writes poetry—I was quite surprised. Because Hieu Dan's poems are very simple, innocent, and pure, yet possess a simple beauty. Especially throughout the collection, thoughts about various flowers are conveyed through simple, genuine verses, yet without being facile. Afterward, I agreed to write the preface for the poetry collection even though I had never met Dang Hieu Dan. And our friendship, despite our long-standing differences, and our connection with poetry continued. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet Hieu Dan, and I mentioned a new poetry collection after a period of 'the train stopping a little too long at the station.' Hieu Dan immediately responded, and thus 'Regions of Love' was born…”

Poet Dang Hieu Dan confided that initially, he intended to name the poetry collection "Confessions to the Beloved Land," but later, poet Nguyen Huu Quy suggested the name "Beloved Lands"—as a continuous stream flowing from "The Fragrance of Flowers" to various regions of memory and nostalgia, anchoring itself in love for flowers, plants, the earth, and people. Published at a time when the country was entering a new era, the collection is likened to a small "booklet" of poems, not only about the land and people of Quang Tri , but also many other impressive places in Vietnam. And perhaps "Beloved Lands" is a fitting publication for those traveling back and forth between North and South Vietnam?

Recalling "Regions of Love"

Right from the preface to "Regions of Love"—"Flowers follow the footsteps of those who remember"—poet Ho Si Binh, Deputy Director of the Central-Western Highlands Branch of the Vietnam Writers Association Publishing House, remarked: "Walking along the lines of 'Regions of Love,' readers will always encounter a great deal of sadness, loss, and regret at having to leave their homeland, along with linear time, sweet memories, but not so melancholic, resentful, or pessimistic as they may be. Instead, they will always awaken a love of life and compassion for others, in a positive, romantic poetic voice."

Poet Dang Hieu Dan and poet Nguyen Huu Quy - Photo: MN

According to poet Nguyen Huu Quy, what is recorded in the poetry collection "Fragrance of Flowers" is still preserved in "Regions of Love," but the poetic voice is more steadfast, more enduring, and expressed in a more subtle way. The poet has become conscious of his artistic labor and literary creation. In this collection, Dang Hieu Dan's love for flowers remains unchanged, a love for nature, a love for plants and trees. Flowers have become a symbol of the beauty of natural life, a memory, a longing, and a love for his homeland and country.

As he mentions the jasmine flowers, childhood memories flood back, fragrant and wistful: "One midday, I wandered against the wind / Hiding from sleep to find the first jasmine flowers of the season" (Fragrance of the Vast Era); or about the red ixora flower, the author remembers the years of war and hardship that his father went through: "It's strange that both in the South and the North / There is no trench that doesn't have ixora flowers" (Red Ixora Flower). The red ixora is not simply a flower but has become a symbol of a tragic period in the nation's history where his loved ones were present. And many other flowers, such as the yellow lim flower on Son Tra peak, the lotus flower, the bun flower..., each flower with its own shade and fragrance, but all radiate the author's love for the country, homeland, people, and life. A love that is enduring yet simple. The very title of the poetry collection speaks of the love embedded in each word and each rhyme.

The novelty in Dang Hieu Dan's poetry lies not in formal innovation, but in the discovery of new things hidden within the realities of life. From simple flowers, the author sees within them the sparkle of what belongs to humanity. He speaks of flowers, but not just flowers; he speaks of life, of the stirring of his heart when standing before his country, his homeland, and above all, of his love for his country.

“On this ‘train,’ I hear the rhythm of trains connecting one land to another, one homeland to another, bringing people to places of love. It seems that the rhythm of the soul has blended with the rhythm of the train running along the length of the country, bringing together rural areas, lands, and even souls and people. All of this is expressed very simply and naturally in ‘Regions of Love’,” shared poet Nguyen Huu Quy.

Poet Dang Hieu Dan shared: “My first love is my hometown, Le Thuy—where I was born and raised, a place that holds pure, simple, and cherished memories, echoing back to me the further I go. Following my emotions, the longing arises and I record it in poetry. Besides that, when I visit different places, I also record each feeling and define them in poetry, thereby spreading my love for the land and its people to readers near and far.”

Following "Regions of Love," while continuing to pursue his passion for poetry, poet Dang Hieu Dan will boldly try his hand at essays about his homeland and country, and memoirs about his childhood years. At the same time, he will continue to refine, invest in, and create more in his language, building new imagery and avoiding repetition in clichés.

Mai Nhan

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/van-hoa/202602/khuc-ca-ve-nhung-mien-thuong-4d42223/