"Remembering Father during the season of red flamboyant flowers"

As May arrives, clusters of flamboyant flowers burst forth like tiny flames against the sky. The season of flamboyant blossoms is often associated with school days, farewells, and yearbooks... However, for many, the red color of the flamboyant flower carries a deeper meaning: the color of memories, gratitude, and remembrance of the beloved Father of the Nation. It is from this sentiment that the song "Remembering Father in the Season of Red Flamboyant Flowers" (a traditional Vietnamese folk song by composer Dương Thị Thu Vân) resonates warmly, blending seamlessly into today's life.

• Many localities and organizations held commemorative events and planted trees in remembrance of President Ho Chi Minh.
• The people of Ca Mau 's affection for President Ho Chi Minh
• Over 300 students participated in an extracurricular activity on the theme "Remembering Uncle Ho in May".

People in the Mekong Delta remember Uncle Ho in their own unique way, simple yet sincere, without exaggeration. Therefore, every time May arrives, many people softly hum the song: "...Oh, flying bird, let me send this message/that if you fly to the North/remember to stop by Ba Dinh to visit our beloved Uncle Ho/Oh bird, don't forget to sing many/songs of peace and national unity/So that our Uncle Ho may rest peacefully/and sleep soundly in the glorious dawn" ("Remembering Father in the Season of Red Phoenix Flowers" - Duong Thi Thu Van).

Those lyrics are not just art; they're like a letter sent from the river region – a letter that needs no stamp, no address, because the recipient is already in the hearts of millions of Vietnamese people. In that emotional vein, two familiar lines of poetry resonate: “Uncle Ho remembers the South with the longing for home / The South longs for Uncle Ho with the longing for a father” (Tố Hữu). Just two short lines of poetry, yet they open up the entire emotional breadth of the two regions: where longing meets yearning, where heart meets heart!

Looking at life today, it's clear that the spirit of learning from and following Uncle Ho's teachings in the Mekong Delta is not something distant, but is present in every daily task, in every small decision, and in the way people live together. The bridges connecting the two banks, the roads opened, the new residential areas formed... are all the result of a long journey of effort and innovation. Throughout that journey, Uncle Ho's teachings on "diligence, thrift, integrity, righteousness, and selfless dedication" are still reiterated as a guiding principle.

Therefore, the remembrance of Uncle Ho does not remain merely a memory but transforms into action: many young cadres volunteer to go to the grassroots, taking on tasks in remote areas, accepting separation from their families to be closer to the people, considering serving the people as a source of pride. Some jokingly say, "Learning from Uncle Ho is not a big deal, just do your job well every day." This simple saying accurately reflects the spirit of the people of the Mekong Delta: genuine yet profound, because it is these quiet individuals who are continuing the story of responsibility and dedication in peacetime.

In the armed forces, this spirit is even more evident when soldiers stand guard day and night, and when police officers maintain peace in every neighborhood and street. Their work is quiet, but behind it lies a promise to the nation. Therefore, when hearing the song "dedicated to the people, selfless for the country," many people don't see it as mere literary words, but as a daily reminder.

In education, the spirit of learning from President Ho Chi Minh is spread through flag-raising ceremonies, stories about him, and student volunteer movements. In economic life, that spirit is manifested in the changes on the farmlands as farmers boldly apply science and technology, link production, and build agricultural product brands... From once-difficult areas, many localities have become bright spots in agricultural economics, and they understand that diligence and creativity are the path to progress, and at the same time, the most practical way to express gratitude.

Beyond economic development, the spirit of sharing is spreading strongly through bridges, charitable houses, and scholarships built through community efforts. People in the Mekong Delta, already known for their compassion and solidarity, are now even more deeply moved by the teachings of love and unity, helping each other like family members, because they believe that a good society begins with small acts of kindness.

In the southernmost region of Vietnam, the affection for President Ho Chi Minh and the learning and emulation of his teachings hold special stories. Here, there's the story of how, after destroying an enemy outpost, the commune's Party Congress was concluded, and a temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh was built right on the site of the former outpost (the Ho Chi Minh Temple in Cai Nuoc commune), associated with the name of the female Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Pham Thi Bay, affirming that victory was not only for liberation but also for the creation of a spiritual symbol. In Chau Thoi commune, the ritual of sacrificing the lives of the guerrilla fighters protecting the Ho Chi Minh Temple has become a moving story for generations, as it is the way the people entrust their vow to preserve the sacred site with their own lives. For over half a century, veteran Nguyen Van Khoa has voluntarily guarded the temple... From this, Ca Mau has become a locality with many temples dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh built since his passing.

The flamboyant trees are in full bloom in the grounds of the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area (An Xuyen ward).

Moreover, there are hamlets here named after President Ho Chi Minh's birthday, such as Hamlet 19/5 (Khanh Binh commune); some localities, after building a shrine to commemorate him, named their hamlet Phu Tho (Tri Phai commune); or like Ba Chang hamlet (Chau Thoi commune), where people set up an altar to President Ho Chi Minh, burning incense day and night in his memory... All of these are like "fragrant incense sticks" that never fade in the southernmost part of the country.

In such heartwarming stories, the unwavering loyalty of the people of the southernmost tip of the country to Uncle Ho is clearly and profoundly revealed. This affection is not only expressed in words but also in actions, in memories, and in daily life. Therefore, when May returns, memories and the present intertwine, making the longing even deeper.

Amidst the ever-changing pace of life, the song "Remembering Father in the Season of Red Phoenix Flowers" serves as a red thread connecting the past with the present, for the phoenix flower is not just a flower but a memory, the bird's wings are not just an image but an aspiration, and the call "Father" is not just a form of address but a sacred sentiment of the entire nation. Therefore, when discussing Vietnam's development journey today, many people in the Mekong Delta still believe that every achievement is illuminated by the spirit of Ho Chi Minh.

This year, marking the 136th anniversary of his birth, people everywhere respectfully pay tribute to and remember the Father of the Nation with all their profound love and faith. The season of flamboyant blossoms will pass like all seasons before, but the memory of Uncle Ho will never fade, for it has anchored people's hearts with the most sacred feelings.

Abundant

Source: https://baocamau.vn/-nho-cha-trong-mua-phuong-do--a128839.html