There is an independent nostalgia for Autumn…
Even though they are living and working in many different lands, every time National Day is near, in the hearts of Nghe An people far from home, there is always a sacred feeling towards their homeland. Independence Day is not only a national festival, but also a sacred thread connecting them to their roots, to the memories of proud independent autumns.
On the eve of National Day September 2, Nghe An Newspaper, Radio and Television recorded the thoughts and feelings of Nghe An people far from home towards their homeland.
Mr. Trinh Van Que (born 1962) - Chairman of the Vietnamese Solidarity Association in Ulyanovsk city, Russian Federation: Homesickness from the land of birch trees
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I was born and raised in Nam Kim, Nam Dan district (old), now Thien Nhan commune, Nghe An province. In 1988, while working at Bac Nghe An Irrigation Company (now Bac Nghe An Irrigation Company Limited), I was sent by the agency to work in the Soviet Union under the Labor Cooperation Agreement between the two states.
Every time Independence Day is near, I see the national flag flying next to Uncle Ho's Monument in Zasniazhsky District, Ulyanovsk City, and my heart is filled with emotion. For me, National Day is not only a great national holiday, but also a sacred bond that connects those who are far away from home to the Fatherland. No matter where we are, we still feel the full honor and pride of being Vietnamese, born and raised in Nghe An land rich in revolutionary tradition.
It was that sentiment that urged me and the collective of the Vietnamese "Solidarity" Association in Ulyanovsk city (under the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association of Nghe An province) to strive to become a bridge between Nghe An and Ulyanovsk. In addition to supporting the visits and work of Nghe An delegations to Ulyanovsk, Nghe people in Ulyanovsk city have also actively done charity work and donated to support their homeland. Through these activities, the love of Nghe people for their homeland has been deepened.
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Every time I have the opportunity to return and witness the changes in my hometown, from spacious village roads, schools, hospitals to increasingly expanding industrial parks, I feel extremely happy and proud.
That innovation is not only a joy, but also a motivation for people living far away from home like me to be more attached, more eager to contribute, even if only a small part, to the common development of my homeland Nghe An.
Mr. Nguyen Huy Hoang (born 1995) - Chairman of the Nghe An Youth Association in Hanoi:Homeland is the source of love
These days in Hanoi, people are paying full attention and eagerness to follow activities related to the parade and march to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025). Looking at the stream of people eagerly heading towards Ba Dinh Square, I am reminded of the excited and bustling atmosphere of my homeland in the days leading up to National Day.
In Van Tu land - where I was born and raised, there is a long-standing tradition that has become a beautiful memory in the childhood of many generations, which is the children's gymnastics performance. Every time National Day approaches, the children in the village eagerly practice, then together bustle to the communal stadium to set up sparkling, colorful small camps. The adults in the village also gather around, watch and encourage, creating a festival that is both innocent and warm, full of humanity.
Perhaps, it is that "humanity" that has nurtured in me and many generations of young people from Nghe An in a foreign land an aspiration to return to our roots.
As the Chairman of the Nghe An Youth Association in Hanoi (since 2020), I, along with more than 50,000 young people from Nghe An studying, living and working in the capital, have made efforts to connect and send love to our homeland. The Association has made its mark with 6 blood donation programs "Giọt hồng Nghệ Tĩnh", contributing more than 1,200 precious blood units.
With the motto of "giving the best to the homeland", in 2024, at Huoi Pung village (Tuong Duong commune), the Association presented gifts with a total value of more than 550 million VND.
It is estimated that, during the past 11 years, the young people living far from home in the Association have unanimously implemented a series of practical social security activities, with a total contribution value of over tens of billions of VND to support the difficult areas of the province.
I believe that in the coming time, young people far from home like us will continue to extend the journey of sharing through many meaningful activities with the mindset that our homeland is the source to send love.
Colonel Vuong Thai Thanh (born 1948) - former Deputy Division Commander of Air Defense Division 375, Air Defense - Air Force:Soldiers and unforgettable memories of September 2, 1969
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As the National Day approaches, I recall an unforgettable memory on September 2, 1969. It was 2am, the unit was urgently alerted, the entire army gathered to hear the announcement about Uncle Ho's health. At that time, we were stationed at the field battlefield in Vinh Bao commune, Hai Phong city (the name remained after the merger). The moment we received the news, the whole unit fell silent, tears welling up because we knew Uncle Ho's health was very critical.
And at 9:47 a.m. on September 2, 1969, when we heard the news of Uncle Ho's passing, we all burst into tears in indescribable grief. Then, during the week of Uncle Ho's funeral, the entire unit was determined to turn grief into action, shooting down an American plane to report our achievement to him.
More than half a century has passed, but that sacred memory is still intact in my heart. Every independent autumn reminds me and also reminds today's generation of the value of peace and independence - things that had to be exchanged for the blood and bones of many generations of fathers and brothers.
From the experience of a soldier, I just want to tell the young generation that: In any circumstance, young people need to maintain their courage, have ambitions and ideals in life. The country is opening up many opportunities, but along with that comes many challenges. To overcome them, you need to have the will, the spirit of solidarity, dare to commit and nurture big dreams to contribute to building an increasingly prosperous and happy Fatherland.
September 2nd is therefore not only a national festival, but also an occasion for the young generation to pause, show gratitude and remind themselves to live up to the blood and bones of their ancestors, turning patriotism into concrete actions in studying, working and contributing.
