That longing is not loud, not a cry, just like a gentle breeze, but enough to make one's heart ache. I remember those afternoons when the sun still lingered on the wide brick paths, where children ran around, where elderly people strolled leisurely, and where young couples sat together, silent yet warm. At that time, April 16th Square was not just a public space, but like a shared rhythm of the street – slow, peaceful, unhurried.
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| Tourists visit the Khanh Hoa Provincial Museum in Phan Rang ward. Photo: VAN NY |
The iconic feature of April 16th Square is the complex of buildings housing the former Ninh Thuan Museum, with its unique lotus-shaped tower, along with the majestic and heroic April 16th Victory Monument – a place that commemorates the historic moment of independence and liberation of the homeland by the army and people of Ninh Thuan. The stone blocks and statues there are not merely architectural forms, but embodiments of memories, telling wordless stories of a time of war and pride.
The atmosphere in April 16th Square changes with each passing moment of the day, just like the rhythm of life in the street. In the early morning, it's spacious, breezy, and airy, a place for deep breaths, for jogging and slow exercise to awaken a new day. The wind blows across the squares, carrying the scent of sunshine, plants, and a sense of peace that's hard to describe. In the afternoon, the square becomes a gentle dating space. Beside the sculptures, people walk hand in hand, chatting as they go. There, they love each other softly, as if afraid to disrupt the rhythm of the sunny day.
There are times when the square takes on a sacred, solemn appearance during flag-raising ceremonies, at the moment of New Year's Eve when everyone turns towards the red flag with a yellow star, listening to the passage of time. At that time, every step slows, every gaze deepens, as if everyone is standing before something momentous, hundreds of hearts beating in unison.
And on those very ordinary days, the square is simply a gathering place for folk dance groups, impromptu musical performances, and colorful little stalls that entice passersby. Laughter, music, and conversation blend together, creating a unique soundscape – the sound of life.
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| April 16th Square. Photo: VAN NY |
Perhaps that's why I remember. Not a building, but the moments I lived there. I remember the feeling of standing in the wide square, letting the wind blow through my hair, letting my heart slow down. I remember the afternoons after work, when the Phan Rang sun was no longer harsh, the wind blowing from the sea carrying a hint of saltiness, a touch of dryness from the sand, and a unique scent unlike anywhere else. I remember the laughter of the children, the steady footsteps of people exercising, even the fleeting glances that quickly faded away. There, you don't need to be familiar with someone to feel close. Just breathing the same air, walking on the same square, is enough to feel like you're a part of the city. I don't know when, but April 16th Square has become a place where I find refuge for my emotions – quietly, persistently, without demanding anything.
Now, in a different part of the city, amidst new streets and new faces, I suddenly understand that there are places that don't need to be called "home," yet they evoke memories as if they were a part of one's life. April 16th Square is like that for me. Not a grand anniversary, just ordinary days, but it is precisely these ordinary days, when you are far away, that you realize how precious they are.
MERIT
Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/nhung-goc-pho-nhung-con-duong/202601/trong-noi-nhophan-rang-a1b3dee/
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