The epic poem "The Road to Viet Bac" is a snapshot of President Ho Chi Minh's arduous and perilous journey to the Viet Bac resistance zone during the early days of the resistance against French colonialism. The work also highlights the brilliant leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the Central Committee amidst countless difficulties, turning danger into safety, shifting from defensive to counter-attack, and leading the protracted resistance to brilliant success. The path President Ho Chi Minh took, though supremely secret, remained close to the people, completely concealing it from the watchful eyes of the enemy.
During those arduous days, the entire nation wholeheartedly competed in the resistance struggle. The image of the courageous and valiant guerrillas of the Thao and Lo rivers, working day and night with every means to fight and stop the enemy, anxiously awaiting the safe passage of President Ho Chi Minh to the resistance zone, still shines brightly in the "Epic of the Lo River" by the late composer Van Cao and "Guerrillas of the Thao River" by the late composer Do Nhuan.
From the simple words and actions of President Ho Chi Minh on his way to the Viet Bac resistance zone, the author has sculpted a vivid and authentic portrait of him. The epic poem consists of four chapters: Chapter I "The Ancient Land awakens the words of the President"; Chapter II "The turbulent days of Chu Hoa"; Chapter III "Yen Kien's slanted gateway"; Chapter IV "The path of the Ancestral Land that President Ho Chi Minh walked" is illuminated.
"Not born from heaven"
Not blown up from the ground
Unlike switching it on and off day and night.
There are paths that conceal many secrets.
Still silently kindling fires everywhere.
Light from the wisdom of the heart.
Uncle Ho brought it with him to Viet Bac.
The spirit of the mountains and rivers, striving for independence for generations to come.
The child sits lost in thought beside the Co Tiet forest village.
The persimmon tree spreads its branches, evoking nostalgia, its green leaves swaying.
This used to be where Uncle Ho often exercised.
The lingering fragrance preserves poetic sentiment.
"The light of time gildes the course of history."
What is new about this epic poem is that it has discovered and depicted the people of Phu Tho, who were rich in patriotism, resilient in fighting the enemy, and who protected and cared for Uncle Ho. The places where he visited and stayed during his time in the Viet Bac War Zone, now historical landmarks such as Co Tiet, Chu Hoa, and Yen Kien, will be preserved and revered forever.
Perhaps the most successful part of this epic poem is Chapter I, "The Awakening of the Words of the Leader." On his way to Viet Bac, Uncle Ho stopped and stayed there for 15 days. And it was here that he named the eight cadres accompanying him "Long-Term Resistance War - Definitely Victorious." This will and determination of his inspired the Vietnamese people. And indeed, the long-term resistance war became a symbol of willpower, a historically significant decision that led to the resounding victory at Dien Bien Phu , celebrated globally.
In these stanzas that "encapsulate" the reflections and thoughts about the arduous days Uncle Ho spent in Co Tiet, we also see the landscape and the people's consciousness in preserving and enhancing this sacred place of memory "opened up" and illuminated.
And in Chapter II:
"Chu Hoa Night"
Uncle Ho's hair has turned even whiter.
When they saw people running around in panic.
How can we get out of danger?
In a chaotic situation
Deep affection for Him
The night keeps the whole sky awake.
Directive
"Save the people, save the nation."
From that directive, the people of the whole country, especially the people of the ancestral land, united in their resolve to rise up: "Under the bamboo hedges, hills, and reeds/The Red Crane forest offered to the king/The guerrilla units of the Thao and Lo rivers/United in one heart, the army and people of Righteousness/Establishing fortifications to hold back the fierce enemy/The Minh Ha women's guerrilla unit determined to fight to the death..." These verses, interwoven with narrative, allow us to imagine the path Uncle Ho took to Viet Bac to lead the resistance war, and the early days of the resistance in Phu Tho were no less arduous and fierce.
Standing here, Uncle Ho said: "As I depart, I will always remember/ I promise to return to King Hung." This was also his promise to his ancestors, to the entire land, that "As I depart," he would one day return, bringing victory back.
Poet Nguyen Dinh Phuc was very deliberate in portraying the President's image as vividly as possible during those sleepless nights spent worrying about the country. In Chapter III:
Concluding this epic poem, Chapter IV, in "The Path the Ancestral Land Follows," the poet Nguyen Dinh Phuc once again illuminates the heart and spirit of the people of the Ancestral Land with their promises to Uncle Ho and the actions that spring from the depths of their hearts.
Through this epic poem, we can see the heroic spirit of the entire nation in the early days of the fervent resistance. "The secret and mystical revolutionary path that Uncle Ho walked has become a legend in my mind, and in this epic poem, with my humble and sincere heart, I respectfully offer it to Uncle Ho, forever following his example" - Quoted from poet Nguyen Dinh Phuc.
Source: https://baobackan.vn/truong-ca-duong-bac-len-viet-bac-post71012.html
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