(Baonghean.vn) - When I was born, this city was already very new and modern. The memories of a German-built apartment complex - one of the first "significant" constructions of the city after the country's liberation - remained only in a few old generations. One day, when the city's residents - old and young, old and new - looked at this ancient "ruin"-like structure, they thought to themselves: Maybe it's time to say goodbye.
With my young memories, I have collected what could be the last images of Quang Trung residential area. With the perspective of someone who has sympathy for this place, I hope to capture more than just its shape and color. My ambition is greater than that: I want to preserve a breath, a piece of the soul of a place associated with many generations of city residents. I dare not say that what I saw is everything, I just dare to name my story: A little bit of Quang Trung area.
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| The story begins one afternoon - the weather is not as ideal as you think. Actually, I had to wait quite a while for the clouds to clear and gather some sunshine like this. But oh well, my small wait is nothing compared to these buildings that are approximately 40 years old. By the way, if you haven't figured it out, this is the volleyball court located between B5 and B6. |
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| Adjust the camera angle a little closer. This is a view looking down at a part of the soccer field - the ideal playground for the children in the apartment complex every afternoon. I especially like the star fruit tree and the concrete bench, it looks like an old movie scene. |
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| Now I’ll tilt the camera up a little higher. Here, everyone has their houses expanded, some made of wood, some made of corrugated iron. The protrusions and recesses form an abstract “architecture”. Just kidding, but I really like the wood color of this house. |
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| This is truly a shadow of the past. It is rare to see old motorbikes with such a “smooth” appearance in the city. It reminds those who are living of a golden age. |
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| The pigeon cage of a sofa maker in block A6. Seeing me, he asked if I wanted to take a picture so he could call the pigeons down. |
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| And here is a resident of building B3. He is from Nam Dan, 67 years old this year. He confided that when he was young, he joined the youth volunteer force in Dien Chau, then came back to study carpentry for 6 months and has been doing it ever since. |
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| He bragged that when he first learned, he bought a saw and used it all day long. Now he just does it for fun, the money is not worth much. |
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| The bone broth pot of the Van Dan noodle and porridge shop for children is located at the foot of the apartment complex. This shop is open both morning and afternoon, mainly serving parents and students of a nearby elementary school. Many people say that this shop has been in business for many years and is still of extremely high quality. |
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| There are actually quite a few shops around this area that serve everything from full meals to snacks. The kids living in this apartment complex are regular customers every afternoon after school. These three kids are walking around eating fish balls, making the whole hallway smell delicious. |
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| Seeing the children in the old apartment building made me feel like I had just seen a scene from the movie “I see yellow flowers on green grass”. And here we have yellow cactus flowers on a green leaf background. This is the first time I have seen a big cactus like this blooming. It is located on the 4th floor of B1 building. |
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| A white dog sits watching the sunset through the gap in the middle of the stairs. I know this scene is quite strange, if not "out of place" because in the past, no one in Quang Trung collective house kept pet dogs. Sometimes what we consider familiar can become strange if placed in the realm of oblivion. On the contrary, the new can also remind us of old and dear things. |
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| These old houses that you often think are ugly can also appear beautiful if one day you wait patiently and are lucky enough to catch the moments and the people. I have recorded these images as a gift for those who unfortunately no longer have the opportunity to come and see them themselves. As for you, if my story has kept you here until now, why don’t you visit Quang Trung area yourself and say goodbye? |
Thuc Anh recorded according to Hazone's story
Photo: Hazone
