Like brothers in the same family

As if by a fortunate coincidence, as if by natural course, some villages are formed from people who originally came from different hometowns and were completely unfamiliar with each other. Then, as if by fate, they became neighbors, their bond as strong as that of family. This is the story of Dai Thuy village, Tan Lien commune, Huong Hoa district (now Tan Lap commune), Quang Tri province.

Tan Phu today - Photo: PXD

Pioneers

I once went to the highlands of Huong Hoa to learn about a village of two homelands that was newly established in 1986, less than 40 years old – a relatively new village, perhaps one of the most recently formed in Quang Tri province. And so, the story unfolded over cups of green tea, gradually deepening with the accounts of those involved.

Mr. Vo Xuan Hang, the village head of Dai Thuy, is also an elderly man in his 70s, but he still looks strong and sharp. Sitting in front of the village's ancestral shrine, he pondered for a moment, reminiscing about the not-so-distant past.

He recounted: “I am from Le Thuy, formerly Quang Binh province. I served in the army and fought here, and I knew the Khe Sanh-Huong Hoa area. After being discharged from the army and returning home, I saw that my village was crowded and lacked land. I remembered the red soil of Huong Hoa and discussed relocating with some like-minded comrades. The decision to leave the village to start a new life was a big, even very important, decision. After discussing and agreeing, five of us moved here from Le Thuy.”

Mr. Hang continued: “Coming here, surrounded by hills and mountains, crisscrossed by streams, the terrain is easily fragmented, especially during the rainy season. Lying in the makeshift shelters at night, listening to the insects, I felt a deep longing for home and my hometown… But we encouraged each other to persevere, no matter how difficult or arduous it was, we couldn't give up halfway.”

Seemingly seeing a reflection of himself in the story, Mr. Nguyen Cuu Can added: “We are from Trieu Dai commune, formerly Trieu Phong district. After the people from Le Thuy came here, we also followed the call of the Party and the State to participate in the new economic development program in the mountainous Huong Hoa region. At first, there were quite a few of us, but then things got too difficult, and some couldn't endure it and had to return to our old hometowns or go south. So, people from both hometowns joined forces, supporting each other through thick and thin, sharing joys and sorrows.”

Mr. Hang smiled: "The village's name is a combination of two different regions. 'Dai' refers to Trieu Dai, and 'Thuy' is a reminder of Le Thuy, so the village is called Dai Thuy. People who left their hometowns for the new economic zone established this new village and live together like a full bowl of water."

My new hometown now

Walking through Dai Thuy today, one sees a village showing many positive changes. Concrete roads connect the villages, schools are well-equipped, and houses are sturdy. All of this evokes a feeling of peace and prosperity. Mr. Vo Van Dung, then the Party Secretary and Head of Dai Thuy village, said: “Generally, the lives of the villagers have stabilized and improved; many households are doing well financially, and there are almost no poor households. Although the villagers come from different places, they live together harmoniously and affectionately.”

Visiting Dai Thuy today, you'll find a prosperous and peaceful village in the highlands of Huong Hoa. Few would imagine that just a few decades ago, this place was a remote and sparsely populated area.

Moreover, these people, originally from two different hometowns and who had never met before, shared hardships and joys, building a young village full of determination and vitality, opening up opportunities for future generations.

There's a proverb that says, "People are the flowers of the earth," and it perfectly suits Dai Thuy village, with its simple and honest people who have written the history of their new homeland with their own hands. It is they, and no one else, who have made history for this village, as its founders.

We know life holds many challenges, but we believe that with such unwavering hearts, no difficulty can defeat them. The future rests firmly in the hands of these spirited individuals; even if they don't have to move mountains, they are capable of controlling their own destiny because they are always dedicated, committed, and devoted. Dai Thuy today is integrated into Tan Phu village, but even though the name has changed, the human spirit remains unchanged.

President Ho Chi Minh repeatedly emphasized the secret to the revolution's victory: "Unity, unity, great unity. Success, success, great success." This was not just a propaganda slogan, but also a command of life, a rallying cry from the nation, from the sacred spirit of the country, and from the profound call of conscience.

From small matters to large ones, success is only possible through unity, shared aspirations, and shared goals, including national affairs such as the separation and merger of provinces. This requires everyone to be united with utmost sincerity. The prosperity and solidarity of the two regions of Quang Tri and Quang Binh have written a new and beautiful chapter in their unwavering friendship, as these two areas face a historic opportunity to be reunited under one roof.

Pham Xuan Dung

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/nhu-anh-em-mot-nha-195714.htm