The smell of burning grass lingers in the land of Aries

QTO - On the long snow-covered miles, amidst the lingering cold of the first days of April in the land of Birch, there is a scent that Quang Tri students far from home can still feel - a scent that does not come from snow, from birch, from fragrant Pưski cake... but comes from the depths of their memories of their homeland. It is the "smell of burning grass" - the smell of the scorching heat of the Central region, the smell of sacrifice, of motherland, of patriotism that has endured throughout history.

For Vietnamese people living abroad, especially in the Russian Federation - which has become the second home of many generations of overseas students, every time April comes, their hearts are filled with emotion, as well as eagerness to join the crowd of people in their homeland to see the Vietnamese national flag fluttering on the historic Hien Luong flagpole. There, there is the sun, the wind, the smell of the homeland, the familiar smell from the time their parents were born. That scent seems to permeate every page of a book, every dormitory window, every winter afternoon in the windy square... and lingers in the souls of those living far away from home like a wordless ballad that always echoes, not only from the days of April but throughout their entire journey abroad.

Moscow on a weekend morning in early spring was still chilly and covered in mist. The city was slowly waking up, the streets were deserted, the dormitory windows were still closed in the deep sleep of students. However, unlike usual, Nguyen Pham Thu Uyen (25 years old), a student at Moscow State Linguistic University, left her room early with eager steps. Today, Thu Uyen had a "special appointment", this time not at a familiar coffee shop or a quiet library, but in the student lounge, where the screening of "The Scent of Burning Grass" was taking place. The film, recreating part of the memories of the heroic history of the Vietnamese people in the resistance war against the US to save the country, was shown in the heart of Moscow within the framework of the program organized by the Executive Committee of the Vietnamese Student Union in Russia, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country.

Scene of the screening of the movie "The Smell of Burning Grass" in Moscow, Russian Federation - Photo: Thu Thao

Unable to hide her excitement, Thu Uyen shared: “I myself am a child born on a land that was once writhing in the flames of war, I feel extremely moved and proud when I know that the film “The Scent of Burning Grass” recreates the 81 fierce days and nights of the fiery summer of 1972, the 81 days and nights of steadfast and heroic fighting of our army and people at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel battlefield. For me, it is not simply a film, but also a part of the memories of my homeland”. After the screening, when the students were curious to ask more about the Ancient Citadel, Uyen did not hesitate to introduce the historical sites in her hometown with all the pride of a Quang Tri native.

Sharing the same feelings, Bui Thi Thanh Huong, a student at the same school as Uyen, said: “After watching the film, I have a deeper understanding of the pain and loss that the people of Quang Tri are suffering. This land is not only a symbol of loss and sacrifice, but also a symbol of resilience and perseverance in fighting. The film helps me have a deeper insight into the years of war to protect the Fatherland, the love for the homeland and the national pride of the people of Quang Tri, thereby arousing the faith and strength of the Vietnamese people.”

Activities celebrating the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day held in many cities in the Russian Federation have aroused the patriotic tradition of international students - Photo: Thu Thao

The film took place in silence. In the middle of cold Moscow, the auditorium was strangely warmed by the tears, the tight handshakes and the red eyes of the Vietnamese students studying abroad. Although they could not join in the bustling atmosphere of their homeland, the films and information they watched during those days added to the spirit of solidarity, joy, pride and national self-respect for the Vietnamese students living abroad later.

According to the students above, on every holiday, in every city in the faraway land of Russia, wherever there are international students or Vietnamese people, there are cultural activities, oriented towards the homeland. In each city or at each university, different welcoming events are organized, but all attract the participation and enthusiastic response of international students and Vietnamese people in the Russian Federation.

More than two years after becoming an international student leaving the land of the White Birch, I still remember clearly the historic days of April when international students in St. Petersburg organized the Victory Olympic Games on April 30, celebrating the day the country was completely liberated. Amidst the colorful banners and slogans, groups of Vietnamese international students marched in the curious and amused eyes of the local people. But then, organizing cultural and sports activities has become a beautiful tradition, a link connecting Vietnamese international students closer to their homeland, which the local authorities and Russian students also want to participate in, exchange and experience.

Activities celebrating the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day held in many cities in the Russian Federation have aroused the patriotic tradition of international students - Photo: Thu Thao

In the blue sky, the image of Uncle Ho looking at us students with a gentle smile in the cold spring sun is the motivation to add will and determination for those who are far from home to overcome difficulties and barriers. Uncle Ho is an ideal model of the journey of self-study and self-training for students. When the national anthem plays, it is also the moment when everyone's heart seems to tighten with pride welling up in the corners of their eyes. 50 years - the student generation has just gone through half of the journey of the homeland's renovation, how can we fully understand the intricacies of the entire journey of building and defending the country of our ancestors.

Amidst the snow-covered sky, when the birch trees have changed their leaves, when the sunset dyes the sky a fiery red by the Neva River, Vietnamese students studying abroad sit together, sip hot tea and talk about their homeland. Even though the language is different, time passes, the geographical distance is long… the love for the country is still like the “smell of burnt grass” – silent, persistent and endlessly haunting.

We understand that going to return is not only a physical journey, but also a spiritual journey. Every word learned, every achievement gained is a brick that builds the future of our country.

And every season of the year, at any moment, in the memories of those far away from home, the scent of burning grass rises up like a sacred reminder: Don't forget who you are and where you come from.

Thu Thao

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/van-hoa/202510/mui-co-chay-vuong-tren-xu-bach-duong-ada53f5/