(Baonghean.vn) - When I was born, this city had already become much newer and more modern. Memories of a housing complex built by the Germans – one of the city's first "grand" constructions after the country's liberation – only remain in the minds of a few older generations. One day, as city residents – old and young, old and new – looked at this structure, which resembled an ancient "ruin," they silently thought: Perhaps it's time to say goodbye.
With my limited and immature memories, I've gathered what may well be the last images of the Quang Trung residential complex. Through the lens of someone deeply attached to this place, I hope to capture not just its form and color. My ambition is greater than that: I want to preserve a breath, a piece of the soul of this landmark, intertwined with generations of city residents. I wouldn't dare say that what I see is everything, but I'll venture to title my story: A Little Bit of Quang Trung.
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| The story begins one afternoon – the weather wasn't as ideal as you might think. In fact, I had to wait quite a while for the clouds to clear and for some sunshine like this to come through. But oh well, my little wait is nothing compared to these buildings that are nearly 40 years old. Incidentally, if you haven't figured it out yet, this is the volleyball court located between buildings B5 and B6. |
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| Adjust the camera angle to get a little closer. This is a view overlooking a part of the football field – the ideal playground for the kids in the housing complex every afternoon. I particularly like the starfruit tree and the concrete bench; they look like something out of an old movie. |
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| Now I'll raise the camera a little higher. Everyone here is expanding their houses, some made of wood, some of corrugated iron. Some protrudes, some recedes, creating an abstract "architectural" mass. Just kidding, but I really like the wood color of this house. |
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| This is truly a glimpse of the past. It's rare to see old-model motorcycles in the city that still look this sleek. It reminds those living today of a bygone golden age. |
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| This is the pigeon coop of a sofa maker in building A6. When he saw me, he asked if I wanted to take pictures so he could call the pigeons down. |
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| And here is a resident of building B3. This gentleman is from Nam Dan, and is 67 years old this year. He shared that when he was young, he joined the Youth Volunteer Corps in Dien Chau, then returned and learned carpentry for 6 months, and has been doing it ever since. |
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| He boasted that when he first started learning, he bought a saw and spent all day sawing. But now he just does it at a leisurely pace for fun; the money isn't that much. |
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| The pot of bone broth at the Vân Đàn children's noodle and porridge stall at the foot of the apartment complex. This stall sells both morning and afternoon, mainly serving parents and students from a nearby primary school. Many people say this stall has been selling for many years and the quality is still excellent. |
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| There are actually quite a few food stalls around this area, serving everything from main meals to snacks. The children living in this apartment complex are regular customers every afternoon after school. These three children were eating skewers of fish balls as they walked home, filling the entire hallway with a delicious aroma. |
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| Seeing children in this old apartment complex gave me the feeling of having just stepped into a scene from the movie "I See Yellow Flowers on Green Grass." And here, we have yellow cactus flowers against a backdrop of green leaves. This is the first time I've seen such a large cactus in bloom. It's located on the 4th floor of building B1. |
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| A white dog sat watching the sunset through the gap halfway up the stairs. I knew this scene was quite unusual, if not "out of place," because back then, no one in the Quang Trung apartment complex kept pet dogs. Sometimes, what we consider familiar can become strange if it's placed in a forgotten area. Conversely, novelty can also evoke cherished memories of the past. |
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| These old buildings, which you might consider ugly, can also be stunning if you patiently wait and are lucky enough to witness certain moments and see certain people. I've captured these images as a gift for those who unfortunately no longer have the chance to visit and see them for themselves. And you, if my story has captivated you until now, why not visit Quang Trung area yourself and say goodbye? |
Thuc Anh recorded this based on Hazone's account.
Photo: Hazone
