Phu Ninh, the day of return...

The surface of Phu Ninh Lake is tranquil. Photo: Du Nguyen

The pensive afternoon light

I stood before the picturesque lake, gazing at the slanted afternoon sun, feeling the gentle spring breeze caress me. She asked me, "What do you think of your teeth?" I remained silent, unable to answer. I didn't know what words could possibly express the complex emotions I felt at that moment.

I'm here, right in Phu Ninh, on a late January afternoon. The sun has come out after days of gloom, but there's still a lingering chill of winter.

The transitional weather evokes a sense of longing in people's hearts. Just like my own, a tangled web of emotions at this in-between age—not very young, but not quite old either.

I left my hometown at 18, carrying many hopes and dreams. At the end of 2023, after a year of economic hardship, I held my early termination notice in my hand as everyone else was excitedly preparing for Tet (Lunar New Year). I took an early train home. I'm not sure what I was feeling at that moment.

It was only when I revisited Phu Ninh, gazing at the sunset over the tranquil lake, that all the unnameable emotions that had been suppressed in my heart surged up like waves.

My hometown is still here, with the same blue lake and the same rustling wind. Thank you for the familiar scenery remaining unchanged, thank you for Phu Ninh remaining unspoiled, standing outside the wave of rapid economic and urbanization, thus preserving its unique identity.

The same tranquility and peace as before. Thanks to that, I was fortunate enough to rediscover the idyllic scenery from my memories. And the boy from years ago felt as if his homeland was welcoming him back with open arms, after so many days of wandering.

The scent of home

I wonder, over the past 15 years, where has the image of my homeland been? Was it in my heart, or had it faded away amidst the hustle and bustle? Or was it only when I stumbled on my journey to make a living far from home that my heart ached, thinking of the place that nurtured me?

Camping trip in Phu Ninh. Photo: Goin out Camping Tam Ky

I was there, with nothing in my hands, yet I felt like I had everything. Friends by my side, nature embracing me, the love of my homeland spreading throughout, in every ripple on the water's surface, in every school of small fish flicking their tails, in the earthy scent of wild grass, in every gentle rustling of the forest.

I calmly settled into my chair, tilting my head back to gaze at the sky. Each time I looked up, I saw a different sky. Some things change in the blink of an eye, while others remain the same after all these years. I smiled softly, contemplating the immutability within impermanence, the constant change in these moments of stillness.

That night, we pitched our tents by the lake and fell asleep surrounded by nature. As I stirred in my drowsy state, I found myself under a sky of twinkling stars, as if the universe were whispering in my ear: "It's alright, as long as you have your homeland, you have everything..."

The frustrations of city life suddenly vanished. I realized that if it weren't for the recent events, I would have forgotten how beautiful my hometown is.
Thank you, life, for arranging this extraordinary encounter. It taught me that gaining and losing are simply part of the natural order of things.

Thank you for all the bumpy roads, which allowed me to realize the gifts that were already right beside me. Like the boy in the fairy tale who spent his whole life searching the world for treasure, only to finally realize that the real treasure lay where he began.

In my sleep, I imagined hearing a familiar song from my childhood: "...The vast lake, the shimmering sky and clouds. Returning to Phu Ninh is like returning to a lover..."

Yes, a quiet lover, rarely dressing up, not particularly boisterous, and not reproachful when I abandoned her and walked away more than a decade ago. A tolerant lover who opened her doors to welcome me, patiently caring for me after life's hardships.

Phu Ninh, the day of return.

Phu Ninh Lake is known as the "green gem" of Quang Nam, with a cluster of 30 islands of varying sizes, such as Monkey Island, Turtle Island, and Su Island. These islands boast rich ecosystems of flora and fauna, with many being home to species listed in the Red Book of endangered species.

Visitors can explore the island cluster by various means of transportation. In particular, in recent years, along with staying in resort bungalows, camping has become a popular choice among young people and a major tourism trend in Phu Ninh.

A warm evening gathered around a campfire, amidst peaceful surroundings, watching the sunrise over calm waters... this is what attracts people to come here. ( LQ )

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