Poet Hue Thi "Thank you for the peaceful country"

Poet Hue Thi has just won the first prize in the 2025 Poetry Writing Contest in the activity summarizing 50 years of Vietnamese literature and art after the country's reunification in Can Tho City with the poem "Thank you, peaceful country". The poem has the following passage: "I grew up knowing the glorious lessons by heart/ How many fathers and brothers did not spare their blood and bones for the day of liberation/ How many mothers silently sent their husbands and children off to the battlefield with love and hope/ I admonished myself to remind myself of the price of peace".

Can Tho Newspaper reporter had a quick interview with poet Hue Thi on the award ceremony day of the contest.

* Through "Thank you for the peaceful country", what do you want to convey?

- Peace is when every morning when you wake up, you don’t have to hear the sound of bombs falling, you don’t have to leave home to escape war. You can go to school, pursue your passion and nurture many dreams for a bright future. All of these things seem normal, but they are dreams and aspirations in places where there are still bombs and bullets of war.

We are fortunate to be born and raised in a peaceful country. That is the result of many generations of sacrifices, of those who have fallen so that we can live in peace today. Gratitude is not only about remembering gratitude, but also about living a worthy life - by studying well, living kindly, lovingly and contributing to building a civilized and humane society. Because, maintaining peace is the responsibility of all of us.

With those thoughts and feelings, I wrote "Thank you for the peaceful country" and that is also what I want to send to everyone through this poem.

Poet Hue Thi received first prize in the contest. Photo: DUY KHOI

* Poet Hue Thi is known for her love poems with a strong feminine tone, but there are also many poems praising the homeland and country that touch the hearts of readers. "Thank you, peaceful country" is such a poem. Could you share a few things about your inspiration for writing poems on the theme of love for homeland, country, and national traditions?

- I write from my heart, from my childhood memories on my homeland, from the historical stories my ancestors left behind, and from the pain and loss that my country has gone through to have today - the day of peace. Writing about my country is not only a way of gratitude, but also a way for me to remind myself of the value of freedom, of my roots, and of my love for my nation.

I believe that love for one’s homeland and country does not only exist in great events, but also in every rhythm of daily life – where the working people, where the blue sky, where innocent children carry their books to school. Those simple things become a source of inspiration for me, helping my poems spread emotions.

* Besides poetry, Hue Thi is also known as a designer, who contributes to promoting the national intangible cultural heritage of Quang noodles. But perhaps, after all, poetry still holds a special place in your soul?

- For me, poetry is not only a passion but also a place where I return to listen to myself amidst the hustle and bustle of life. No matter what role it plays in the flow of life, poetry is always the deepest refuge in my soul. This year, I am also nurturing a new collection of poems, inspired by the cultural slices, people and cuisine of Quang Nam , the place that has nurtured my poetic soul since childhood. This 9th collection of poems will be a fusion of personal emotions and community identity, a way for me to tell the story of my homeland in the language of poetry.

DANG HUYNH (performed)

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/nha-tho-hue-thicam-on-dat-nuoc-hoa-binh-a186652.html