Traditional boat racing on Ben Hai River - Photo: M.D
A unified cultural flow
Quang Tri and Quang Binh have long been considered two "brother" regions in the big family of North Central Vietnam - where Kinh culture blends with the culture of ethnic minority communities such as Bru - Van Kieu, Pa Ko, Chut, Ma Coong...
Tangible and intangible cultural values are passed down from generation to generation such as: singing spells, chanting songs, pounding rice songs, mother worshiping customs, new rice festivals, fishing festivals, village festivals... creating a unified cultural space that is still rich and full of local identity.
From the coastal plains to the highlands, the imprint of traditional village culture is still deeply imprinted in every communal house, shrine, and in the bustling sound of festival drums every spring. In the highlands, the villages of ethnic minorities still preserve intact their typical cultural values such as folk dances, panpipes, gongs, brocade weaving, life cycle rituals... creating an indispensable piece in the cultural picture of Quang Tri - Quang Binh.
Not only the accent but also the way of life, the way of thinking, the way of treating people of Quang Tri - Quang Binh are full of affection. In war as well as in peacetime, the people here still maintain the spirit of resilience, indomitability and diligence in labor, always putting the common good above the individual... From Quang Tri Ancient Citadel to Hang Tam Co, from Doc Mieu to Deo Ngang, each place name is a testament to bravery, sacrifice and steadfast love for fellow countrymen.
Quang Tri - Quang Binh cuisine is also simple but rich, just like the people here. Dishes such as: banh bot loc, banh nam, chao canh, ca kho tuc, mam nem... are not only material needs but also cultural symbols, preserving memories of the homeland, of hard-working but warm family meals. No matter how far away you go, just need to taste the spicy taste of chili, the rich taste of fish sauce, it is like returning to a thatched roof in the middle of a peaceful village.
The power of resonance
During the war, Quang Tri and Quang Binh were both lands that suffered much pain and loss, but in the midst of the fire and smoke, the two provinces together wrote brilliant pages of history. And from that past, the people of these two regions became even more attached, sharing the same hardships to rise up in the journey of reconstruction and development.
In the early days after the war, Quang Binh people brought handfuls of salt and kilos of rice to share with the ancient citadel, which was still shrouded in smoke and bullets. Quang Tri people, despite hardship, still went to Quang Binh to build a career, build a house, study and make a living.
Today, in the process of innovation and integration, that spirit is still present in every cooperation program and every inter-regional development project. From preserving cultural heritage, developing heritage and spiritual tourism , exploiting resources from the sea and forests, to creative start-up programs from local products such as cajuput essential oil, brocade, forest honey, traditional fish sauce..., all are evidence of the resonance power from both banks of a common cultural flow.
The people of the two provinces have a heavy, deep, and stuttering accent typical of the Central region - once heard, you will remember and love it. That accent is not only a means of communication but also carries the soul of the whole countryside. It is an expression of character: honest, straightforward, gentle but not easily subdued. It is from that accent that poetry, folk songs, and folk songs here have a deep, soulful sound, imbued with the essence of life and humanity.
Towards a development space
In the context of regional development and the orientation of reorganizing administrative-economic space, strengthening the connection between Quang Tri and Quang Binh is inevitable. The profound similarities in culture and people are the "glue" that binds the two localities together to build a unified and sustainable development space - where there are no more administrative boundaries, only a common aspiration to rise up.
From connecting transport infrastructure, developing the value chain of agriculture - tourism - processing industry, to coordinating in education - training, digital transformation and environmental protection..., all can be implemented smoothly on the basis of similar culture and trust that has been built up over many generations.
In the near future, the two provinces of Quang Tri and Quang Binh will become a new administrative unit. This will be a historic turning point, opening a new chapter for regional development. This merger is not only a combination of area, population, and budget, but also a resonance of spirit, identity, and aspirations.
The merger will help free up resources, optimize governance, reduce duplication in the administrative apparatus, and create an economic and cultural entity strong enough to compete and integrate. With the advantages of a long coastline, deep-water seaports, the East-West Economic Corridor and abundant natural resources, the two provinces of Quang Tri and Quang Binh after the merger will have the potential to become the logistics, tourism, energy and high-tech agricultural centers of the North Central region.
On the basis of similar culture, harmonious people and common past, building the identity of the new province is not a challenge but on the contrary, it can be a solid foundation to form a new countryside rich in tradition, modern in thinking, and steadfast in integration.
The unbroken love between the two localities is not only a symbol of the connection between the two localities but also an aspiration to rise from hardship, a testament to the soft power of culture, where identity is not only a “heritage” but also a “resource” for development. Quang Tri - Quang Binh are like two strong shoulders, shouldering and building a resilient and affectionate Central region together.
If tomorrow is a new province created from two heroic lands, then today is the time for each citizen to foster faith, cherish past values, preserve the common cultural vein and continue to cultivate a harmonious, developing, affectionate and prosperous future.
Chi Linh
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/tinh-que-lien-dai-194203.htm
Comment (0)