The soul of the land...

“When we are here, it is merely a place to live; when we leave, the land has become a part of our soul…” (Che Lan Vien).

For over 28 years, the name " Bac Lieu " has been a source of deep affection and love in my heart, in your heart, and in the hearts of all those who were born and raised here, including those who have visited and fallen in love with this place. At this moment, it suddenly brings tears to our eyes...

Soon, Bac Lieu will be the name of a ward on the new administrative map of Ca Mau province. And forever in our hearts, the imprint of Bac Lieu province will never fade.

The mark of Bac Lieu

"Silver but loving, Liao but deeply affectionate," in his poem dedicated to Bac Lieu titled "An Impromptu Poem about Bac Lieu," journalist Huynh Dung Nhan separated the name Bac Lieu in his own metaphorical way to incorporate it into the poem. According to this etymological analysis, he explains: the name is "Silver," but the heart is not fickle, but very affectionate; Liao, but not frivolous, but rather deeply affectionate.

That's how poetry is; poets can use metaphors, hyperbole, personification, and other techniques to create their poems. But one thing is certain: a deep and lasting love for Bac Lieu. Even if it's just a passing visit, the affection and attachment stem from the fact that those born and raised here cherish the name "Bac Lieu" in the deepest recesses of their hearts.

What is there to love about Bac Lieu?

Since our ancestors first settled and developed the land, the name "Bac Lieu" has been associated with the image of " Bac Lieu, a land of opportunity/ Catfish in the river, Chaozhou on the shore ." Through numerous separations and mergers, and many changes, one thing is undeniable: history, with all its ups and downs, has created and preserved precious legacies for Bac Lieu, giving it a unique identity.

Mentioning Bac Lieu immediately brings to mind the Bac Lieu Prince's House, a century-old structure that has stood the test of time, a reminder of the famously wealthy young man, Ba Huy, associated with the once-rich Bac Lieu region, a land renowned for its generosity and camaraderie, once one of the largest salt and rice granaries in the Southern provinces of Vietnam. Not far from the city center, the Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary, with its melodious birdsong in the early morning or at sunset, evokes memories of the pioneering days of our ancestors. The serene Xiêm Cán Pagoda, facing the sea, creates a sacred and ancient atmosphere, attracting tourists year-round. The white salt fields and wind farms stretching along the Bac Lieu coast create captivating images. And in the future, along with wind power, fishermen and salt farmers may also be able to engage in tourism , as plans for the future of the salt industry have been launched following the Vietnam Salt Festival - Bac Lieu 2025.

Hung Vuong Square and Cao Van Lau Theater. Photo: HT

What lingers in the mind ...

"Oh, Bac Lieu!" a Facebook user posted this status update in large, beautiful letters! Reflecting the shared sentiment of many Bac Lieu residents right now, the words seem to carry a wealth of emotions. The name of a province may no longer exist, but the profound essence remains – the soul of Bac Lieu!

These past few days, numerous social media pages of people from Bac Lieu have been posting images of Hung Vuong Square, a stylized zither, the Cao Van Lau Theater, the Bac Lieu Prince's House, the Southern Traditional Music and Cao Van Lau Memorial Area, and more.

Because it is all about soul and culture, like an underground stream, permeating and flowing through many generations, shaping and increasingly spreading its fragrance.

Over the past 28 years of development, Bac Lieu has consistently exploited these cultural values ​​to the fullest, and through its generosity, compassion, and proactive approach to expanding cooperation and attracting investment... all of which have become driving forces for development, creating added value and forming a "cultural soft power" that has transformed the face of Bac Lieu year after year. It is characterized by warmth, sincerity, generosity, humility, and a proactive spirit; by its attractiveness, ability to win hearts and minds, foster consensus, and draw in partners and friends. All of these are the lasting impressions when mentioning Bac Lieu...

The soul of Bac Lieu, the name "Bac Lieu" will forever remain in our hearts.

QUYNH ANH

Source: https://www.baobaclieu.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/tam-hon-cua-dat-101238.html