House handover ceremony - Photo: Provided by the author
Tonight the villagers are holding a festival to celebrate the new, spacious houses of Y Lo Ksor, K'Quang, H'Hoa Eban, and H'Bui Ding, finally free from the cramped conditions of living in dilapidated wooden houses that leaked in during the rain and wind.
The hearth fire reddened the skin of the old mother sitting silently, reminiscing about the past. The children no longer cried out of fear of rain, wind, or cold. The government provided money to build houses, and the police and soldiers contributed their labor. The village rejoiced as if it were a festival.
Inside the longhouse, the firelight illuminated the resolute face of village elder Ama Loan, revealing the sun-tanned yet radiant faces of old and young, men and women, and the flickering light in the innocent eyes of the babies carried on their mothers' backs.
For the villages of the Central Highlands, the hearth is not just for cooking and warming. The hearth is the soul of the longhouse, a place that connects generations, and a repository of memories, customs, and beliefs of the entire community.
The hearth is located in the center of the house and must never be allowed to go out. According to the beliefs of the local people, a extinguished fire signifies the end of warmth, happiness, and peace. Keeping the fire burning is also about protecting the home and the village.
By the fireplace, the village elder sang epic poems, imparting teachings passed down from his ancestors. He emphasized that as fellow villagers, one should never be a bad person.
Anyone who takes something that doesn't belong to them will be ostracized by the whole village; no one wants to talk to them, and even the trees and animals don't want to touch them.
Anyone who harbors evil thoughts will, after death, become a homeless, wandering soul, destined to become an evil spirit spreading misfortune, and will be shunned wherever they go.
The fire reddened people's skin, illuminating the teachings. Since the time they received fire for light, the people of our village have never closed their doors. Rain or shine, from the early morning until darkness envelops everything.
The rich have many gongs and jars, rice wine, plenty of rice, and dried meat hanging in their stoves, just like the poor who only have a loincloth to cover themselves. Their doors are always wide open, revealing the warm glow of the hearth. Greed for things that don't belong to you is unforgivable in both the human and spiritual realms.
Police in Dak Nong province (now Lam Dong province) begin demolishing temporary and dilapidated houses - Photo: Provided by the author.
From my early years as a young scout fresh out of school, amidst a cultural space rich in epic tales, surrounded by simple, innocent hearts as bright as firelight, I chose to stay in the villages of the Central Highlands to dedicate my youthful energy.
Those nights spent together around the campfire in the longhouse, listening to the stories of the villagers, those days working in the fields with the people, repairing roofs, helping the sick—I became a son of the village.
The villagers trusted and welcomed us like sons and daughters in their family. I grew up surrounded by human kindness and the help of the people, relying on their "eyes and ears" to accomplish my tasks.
The land and people of the Central Highlands are kind and sincere. Staying close to the land and relying on the people's support will forever be a timeless lesson that we remind each other of every day.
From that shared commitment, we are determined to build sturdy homes for the people, so that the flame will no longer tremble in the rain and wind, and so that spring will come not only at festivals but also in every home.
When the order to demolish temporary and dilapidated houses was implemented, it was not just a policy but also an expression of compassion for the generous land of the Central Highlands. Police, soldiers, and local officials came to the villages with determination, bringing cement, bricks, sand, new corrugated iron, and days of labor. The villagers contributed bamboo, wood, and even meals of rice balls eaten with rattan shoots and wild betel leaves.
Police officers and soldiers of Lam Dong province contributed their labor to help build houses for households affected by natural disasters - Photo: Provided by the author
In 2025, with devastating storms and floods, landslides, and damage to many newly rebuilt roofs, the Quang Trung Campaign was launched, urgently and swiftly, reflecting the spirit of the national hero who fought against the invaders years ago.
Once again, those blue-clad workers braved the wind and rain, climbing slippery slopes, working day and night to rebuild homes for the people in the affected areas. With each completed house, the fire burning brightly in the kitchen, the eyes of the villagers lit up, and all their hardships vanished. From these new homes, families will confidently escape poverty, work together to protect political security, and maintain peaceful lives in this sun-drenched, windswept mountainous region.
The warm flame shines brightly in the new home, like a legacy of faith passed down through generations, illuminating the way. Behind each warm flame is a family, behind each peaceful village is the silent preservation of peace.
Fire not only provides warmth but also strengthens the solidarity among the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands.
In the midst of the housewarming celebration, I looked at the new roofs, heard the gongs echoing through the forest, saw the fire reddening the skin of the elderly mother as she lulled the children to sleep, and watched the young men and women joyfully dancing the xoang dance, spinning around with the sky and earth. I understood that these newly completed homes, ready to welcome the new spring, were built not only with materials, but also with faith, human kindness, and responsibility.
We, the police officers, will continue to keep the flames burning brightly in the mountains, so that springs on this majestic land will continue to flourish with hope.
We invite readers to participate in the writing contest.
A warm spring day
As a special treat for the Lunar New Year, Tuoi Tre newspaper , in partnership with INSEE Cement Company, continues to invite readers to participate in the "Springtime Home" writing contest to share and introduce your home – your warm and cozy haven, its features, and unforgettable memories.
The house where your grandparents, parents, and you were born and raised; the house you built yourself; the house where you celebrated your first Tet (Lunar New Year) with your small family... all can be submitted to the competition to introduce to readers nationwide.
The article "A Warm Spring Home" must not have previously entered any writing competition or been published in any media or social networks. The author is responsible for copyright, the organizing committee has the right to edit, and the author will receive royalties if the article is selected for publication in Tuoi Tre publications.
The competition will take place from December 1, 2025 to January 15, 2026, and all Vietnamese people, regardless of age or profession, are welcome to participate.
The article "A Warm Home on a Spring Day" in Vietnamese should be a maximum of 1,000 words. Including photos and videos is encouraged (photos and videos taken from social media without copyright will not be accepted). Entries will only be accepted via email; postal mail will not be accepted to avoid loss.
Entries should be sent to the email address maiamngayxuan@tuoitre.com.vn.
Authors must provide their address, phone number, email address, bank account number, and citizen identification number so that the organizers can contact them and send royalties or prizes.
Staff and employees of Tuoi Tre newspaper and their family members may participate in the "Warm Home in Spring" writing contest, but they will not be considered for prizes. The organizing committee's decision is final.
The Springtime Shelter Award Ceremony and the Launch of the Youth Spring Special Edition
The judging panel, comprising renowned journalists and cultural figures along with representatives from Tuoi Tre newspaper , will review and award prizes based on the preliminary entries.
The awards ceremony and launch of the Tuoi Tre Spring special issue are scheduled to be held at Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, Ho Chi Minh City, at the end of January 2026.
Prize:
1st prize: 10 million VND + certificate, Tuoi Tre Spring issue;
1 second prize: 7 million VND + certificate, Tuoi Tre Spring issue;
1 third prize: 5 million VND + certificate, Tuoi Tre Spring issue;
5 consolation prizes: 2 million VND each + certificate, Tuoi Tre Spring issue.
10 Readers' Choice Awards: 1 million VND each + certificate, Tuoi Tre Spring Edition.
The voting points are calculated based on interaction with the post, where 1 star = 15 points, 1 heart = 3 points, and 1 like = 2 points.
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CAO VIET CUONG
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lua-nha-dai-am-mai-tinh-doan-ket-2026011413072119.htm
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