Springtime in the land of heroes

Spring arrives in a land once ravaged by bombs and bullets. On the fields bearing the footprints of soldiers of yesteryear, today the rhythm of plowing fills the air, along with the joyful laughter of farmers busily preparing for the harvest. Amidst the peaceful spring, the memories of war do not fade away but quietly blend into life, shaping the depth of a heroic land that is striving forward.

Welcome the vibrant spring!

Early in the morning, in Binh Minh hamlet, Vinh Binh commune, veteran Huynh Tan Tuoc slowly trimmed the budding apricot blossoms. His calloused, trembling hands, deeply marked by time, carefully nurtured each branch of golden apricot blossoms. Mr. Tuoc said: “In the past, every time Tet came, there was more worry than joy. Because of the constant bombing and shelling, we didn't dare think about cakes, fruits, or family gatherings. Now it's different. Tet is bustling, children and grandchildren gather, and most importantly, we get to see the achievements of the revolution, to which I contributed, flourishing more and more.” Mr. Tuoc spoke while his eyes followed his grandchildren who were eagerly helping their parents clean tables and chairs, sweep the yard, and tend to the potted flowers in front of the house…

According to Mr. Tuoc, during the resistance war, Vinh Binh was one of the province's important revolutionary base areas, where countless generations bravely fell to protect every inch of their homeland. The canals, rice paddies, and bamboo groves that once sheltered cadres and soldiers have now become the foundation for development. “Now, roads are well-maintained, electricity and water are available everywhere, and the health station and schools are well-equipped, creating a new and beautiful face for this rural area. On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, we also express our faith and place great expectations in the current generation of young leaders to continue to utilize their intelligence, unity, and solidarity to build an increasingly prosperous and beautiful homeland, worthy of its title as a heroic commune,” Mr. Tuoc conveyed.

Former soldier Huynh Tan Tuoc and his wife, residents of Vinh Binh commune, are trimming a green hedge. Photo: PHAM HIEU

In Hamlet 14, Vinh Thuan Commune, the spring atmosphere permeates the vast shrimp farms. People are eagerly releasing shrimp for farming after a brilliantly successful rice harvest. Mr. Dang Minh Lan, a resident of Hamlet 14, said: “This season, my family is raising 8 hectares of tiger shrimp, intercropped with freshwater prawns, whiteleg shrimp, and crabs. Currently, the shrimp fry are developing quite well. We hope for favorable weather, a bountiful harvest, and a prosperous new year.”

According to Mr. Lan, last year's shrimp-rice crop brought his family a profit of nearly half a billion dong. "Thanks to the successful shrimp-rice crop, my family is preparing for a happier Tet holiday. My wife and the kids have been making some dried fish and shrimp paste, cleaning the house, and shopping for things to celebrate the New Year," Mr. Lan said excitedly.

After saying goodbye to Mr. Lan, we returned to the U Minh Thuong base area. This land, once so difficult, now boasts a new, peaceful, and prosperous appearance. The muddy dirt roads have been paved with straight concrete, connecting villages and hamlets, and the national power grid has reached every house along the edge of the melaleuca forest. The formerly acidic, saline fields are now covered in vast green banana plantations, interspersed with shrimp farms and fish ponds providing a stable income.

The road to Vinh Binh commune to welcome the new year. Photo: PHAM HIEU

Mr. Ly Hong Dien, residing in Kinh Nam hamlet, U Minh Thuong commune, said that when he first came to this area, life was extremely difficult, truly reflecting the saying, "Mosquitoes buzzing like flutes, leeches swarming like noodles." Determined to escape poverty, the people worked hard to reclaim and improve the land, which was unproductive for rice cultivation, then switched to growing sugarcane and bananas... life improved. Spacious brick houses gradually replaced the makeshift thatched houses... "Now that I'm older, I've converted a portion of my land to raising authentic U Minh black snails; I also raise freshwater fish and offer recreational fishing services, including net casting, trap setting, and other fishing activities... Just from the freshwater fish farming model alone, I earn about 30 million VND/hectare/season, and my family can confidently celebrate Tet," Mr. Dien shared.

The transformation of the U Minh Thuong region is thanks to the Party and State's constant attention and care for the people's lives. Infrastructure, from transportation to schools, health centers, electricity, and clean water, has been invested in to meet the local development needs. Many households have become prosperous, and the number of poor households has decreased. The people are enthusiastic and confident in the leadership and guidance of the Party and State…

So that everyone can have Tet.

The spirit of spring is spreading everywhere. These days, local leaders are organizing numerous delegations to visit, present gifts, and extend New Year greetings to families of policy beneficiaries and those who have contributed to the revolution. Each gift is a profound expression of gratitude, reminding future generations of the immense sacrifices made by their ancestors so that the country could enjoy a peaceful and joyful spring like today.

According to Huynh Quoc Huy, Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Phong Commune, in addition to caring for policy beneficiary families and people with meritorious services, the commune is focusing on urban beautification, preparing to organize a New Year's Eve cultural program, a flower market, and cultural and sports activities to serve the needs of people celebrating the Lunar New Year. The commune always creates conditions and supports disadvantaged households to have a joyful and warm traditional Tet holiday. “During the traditional Tet holiday, we gave nearly 750 gifts to disadvantaged families and children. Although each gift is not of great value, it shows the concern, sharing, and efforts of the locality in ensuring social welfare, with the hope that no one is left behind in the new spring,” Mr. Huy shared.

Farmers in Vinh Phong commune harvest rice. Photo: PHAM HIEU

In Vinh Thuan commune, the local government has made good preparations to ensure that the people can celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse in 2026 safely, healthily, and economically, creating a positive atmosphere for the entire Party, people, and army to strive to successfully implement the Resolution of the 14th Party Congress from the very first months of 2026. “The commune also has a plan to visit, encourage, and extend New Year greetings to policy beneficiary families, those who have contributed to the revolution, families in difficult circumstances, intellectuals, influential figures among ethnic minorities, and prominent religious leaders… ensuring that every household and every citizen can enjoy the spring and celebrate the New Year,” affirmed Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nguyen, Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Thuan commune.

People in Vinh Phong commune harvest freshwater prawns for Tet (Lunar New Year). Photo: PHAM HIEU

Along with serving the people during the Lunar New Year celebrations, Mr. Nguyen called on all sectors of the population, cadres, civil servants, and public employees to strive for excellence from the beginning of the year, working diligently in labor, production, study, and work… achieving many accomplishments in the new year, and joining hands to build a more developed Vinh Thuan homeland.

As evening fell, smoke from the kitchen chimneys began to spread throughout the small village. In front of his house, Mr. Tuoc recounted to his children and grandchildren stories of Tet during the resistance war, stories of hardship but also of warmth and camaraderie. These old tales blended with the new spring, like a thread connecting the arduous past with the prosperous present, a homeland that was becoming increasingly beautiful and prosperous.

PHAM HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/mua-xuan-tren-dat-anh-hung-a475307.html