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As May arrives, and the first summer breezes begin to carry the salty heat of the sea, I am reminded of Hai Phong, the city of vibrant red flame trees lining its long, winding streets. Perhaps nowhere else on this S-shaped strip of land does the flame tree possess such a unique beauty and become the soul of the city as here.
Hai Phong is often called the "City of Red Flame Trees." This name isn't just a beautiful description; it's a mark etched in the memories of countless people. Every summer, the entire city seems to be dyed red by the flame tree blossoms. From small street corners and old schoolyards to riverside roads, the vibrant red color is everywhere. The flame tree blossoms like tiny flames against the clear blue sky, both passionate and poignant.
The flamboyant trees in Hai Phong evoke many memories of school days. They recall the buzzing of cicadas in the green foliage, the handwritten notes passed from hand to hand on graduation day, and the wistful gazes of students standing in the schoolyard watching summer pass by. Each falling petal seems to carry a realm of memories. Some people, even decades away from home, simply seeing the red of the flamboyant flowers brings back memories of Hai Phong, the sound of ships at the harbor, the salty sea breeze, and their youthful days...
But Hai Phong is more than just the flame tree blossoms. The city also possesses a strong and free-spirited beauty, much like its people. Hai Phong residents are sincere, straightforward, and deeply emotional. Their firm accent hides enthusiasm and generosity. Anyone who has ever sat in a small roadside cafe, listening to locals tell stories about the sea, the harbor, or past flame tree blossom seasons, will understand why this city evokes such fond memories.
There are afternoons when, standing by the banks of the Cam River, watching the setting sun spread across the water, I suddenly find Hai Phong so peaceful. In the distance, ships silently sail out to sea, carrying with them the hopes and dreams of the people of this coastal region. On the tree-lined streets, the flame of the flamboyant tree still burns brightly like an unquenchable fire. It seems that this flower has become a symbol of the vibrant life of the port city – a city that always strives to rise amidst the changes of time.
Hanoi is remembered for its gentle autumn, Hue for its purple rainy afternoons, and Da Lat for its cold mist and wild sunflowers. But Hai Phong is remembered for the passionate red of its flamboyant flowers. A color both vibrant and heartfelt, like the flame of youth and the enduring love for one's homeland.
Perhaps that's why, every summer, no matter where I am, I always long to return to Hai Phong. I want to walk along streets lined with flamboyant trees, listen to the cicadas chirping in the midday summer heat, and feel the sea breeze blowing through my hair. And then I realize that, among all the places I've visited, there are some places that, just by remembering them, are enough to stir my heart.
For me, Hai Phong is like this: a city beautiful not only because of its blue sea or the ships at the harbor, but also because of the vibrant red of its flamboyant flowers, which have become part of poetry, music , and the memories of generations. And with each passing summer, that red color continues to silently burn, illuminating a land of cherished memories at the far end of northern Vietnam.
NGUYEN VAN NHAT THANHSource: https://baohaiphong.vn/sac-hoa-thuong-nho-thang-5-543390.html
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