Our Homeland is all around us.

Every morning, as the loudspeakers blare through the gentle mist, the countryside awakens after a long, peaceful night. News reports about the country's situation and the lives of soldiers and civilians across the nation blend with the crowing of roosters, the sound of rice mills, and the footsteps of people going to the market early... All of this creates a familiar rhythm, reminding us that the homeland is present in every breath and every simple moment of life.

The homeland is not just about beautiful landscapes, glorious victories, or grand constructions... The homeland is also the image of a mother bending over carrying vegetables to the market from dawn, the footsteps of a child toddling after their father to the fields, the scent of freshly harvested rice, the simple crab soup, the sound of pestles pounding pork for sausage on the eve of Tet... In today's life, the homeland is also present in street vendors, roadside tea stalls, and parks bustling with music providing rhythm for elderly people and women to exercise... These things may not be grand, but they hold the soul of the nation, the pieces that make up the identity of Vietnam, the homeland where every Vietnamese person entrusts their love and longing. It seems that in every street corner, every field, in every home, the image of the homeland is present.

During harvest season, the sun pours down on the golden rice fields; farmers diligently gather each clump of rice, their sweat dripping but their eyes sparkling. On the streets, a female factory worker hurries home after her night shift to hug her child and take them to school. These images are so quiet yet beautiful, for in this very simplicity, the homeland is preserved by the will, the labor, and the hearts of millions of ordinary people.

The Tet atmosphere in Duong Lam ancient village, Son Tay ward, Hanoi . Photo: LAM SON

Not only in villages or cities, but the homeland is even more evident in the cold, windswept borders and on the distant islands where waves crash. Beside the silent sovereignty markers amidst the vast forests, border guards patrol day and night, steadfastly protecting every inch of their homeland. Out at sea, on the islands, naval soldiers remain steadfast, guarding the peaceful seas and skies. There, the homeland is the sound of waves lapping against the ship's hull, the red flag with a yellow star fluttering in the salty sea breeze, the gentle smiles of fishermen and sailors amidst the scorching sun or storms...

The simple yet proud color of the soldier's uniform has become a symbol of loyalty and silent sacrifice for the Fatherland and the people. It is the color of faith, of protection, of steps that never retreat when the Fatherland needs them. When natural disasters strike, when raging floods sweep away countless homes and fields, the soldier's uniform becomes even more familiar and endearing. Soldiers do not hesitate to plunge into the raging waters, reaching isolated houses to carry the elderly, cradle children, and rescue people from danger. Their uniforms are soaked, their hands numb with cold, their faces tanned by the sun and sweat and rain... but their eyes are strangely warm. People see the soldier's uniform and feel warmth, support, and faith in times of hardship. The image of soldiers bravely fighting amidst the vast floodwaters has become the most simple beauty of the Fatherland in peacetime.

Despite enduring countless changes, the nation remains steadfast and immortal thanks to seemingly simple yet profoundly valuable qualities, which clearly demonstrate the admirable cultural traditions of the Vietnamese people: compassion, self-sacrifice, diligence, hard work, unity, resilience, and indomitability... Therefore, the homeland is not merely a geographical or historical concept; it is also a way of thinking, acting, living, and a reminder for each individual to live and work better for today and tomorrow.

There are times when simply standing still for a minute to listen to the cicadas heralding summer, smell the scent of betel nuts at the entrance to the lane, or see the red flag with a yellow star fluttering in front of the school gate... is enough to feel the homeland so close. The homeland is vibrant in every glance, every step, every familiar voice. The peace the homeland enjoys today is thanks to the hardships, sacrifices, and struggles of the past, and thanks to those who are silently guarding the borders and seas day and night, at the forefront of the waves and winds.

In today's fast-paced life, we sometimes forget that patriotism isn't something distant or grand, but begins with cherishing the simple things in life. When we maintain kindness and responsibility in every small matter, we are contributing to building and preserving the Vietnamese Fatherland.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/to-quoc-quanh-ta-5078854.html