Third day of Tet (Lunar New Year) - Teacher

(Baonghean.vn) - I would like to begin this article with the story of the young students of Phan Boi Chau School, the place where the song that left its mark on not just one generation of students, "Phan Boi Chau Gifted School, where flocks of seagulls fly far away...", was born.

According to old customs and traditions, "The first day of Tet is for the father, the second for the mother, and the third for the teacher." This phrase encapsulates the three most sacred days of Tet, dedicated to the three most precious and important people in each person's life. On the first day of Tet – the beginning of a new year, a new spring – one stays at the father's house to light incense at the ancestral altar, remembering the ancestors of the family. Along with that, one offers wishes for health and well-being to grandparents and parents, those who bore and raised them. This is the most meaningful activity on the first day of Tet. The second day is spent at the maternal side of the family. Having a father (on the paternal side) and a mother (on the maternal side) is essential for one's life; it's the natural order of things.

"The third day of Tet, honoring teachers" is dedicated to those who have nurtured us from infancy, helping us grow strong enough to fly high and far in search of our own purpose in life. The gratitude we feel for our parents and our roots is understandable; our appreciation for those who taught us how to be human cannot be forgotten. This is a beautiful aspect of the Vietnamese spirit, established over millennia, and it is what fosters the enduring strength of the nation through the unchanging ups and downs of time.

I still remember the first time my mother took me to visit my teacher during Tet (Lunar New Year), when I was in elementary school. On the afternoon of the third day of Tet, my mother dressed me in new clothes and personally led me to my teacher's house... The offerings my mother brought to show respect to my teacher were nothing extravagant or of great material value. The ceremony back then was completely innocent and pure. It was just a bunch of ripe, golden bananas that I offered, my hands heavy with them.

Further along National Highway 48, we met Mr. Tran Ba ​​Duong (Physical Education teacher at Tien Phong Secondary School in the mountainous district of Que Phong). He said, "This year, the school has tried its best to ensure a joyful Lunar New Year for the Mong and Thai students. Each student received a traditional sticky rice cake for Tet, which warms the hearts of the teachers!" At the very end of National Highway 7A, Mr. Nguyen Cong Danh - Principal of Nam Tip Ethnic Minority Boarding School (Ky Son) - shared, "This year, the Mong and Thai students basically had a proper Tet celebration and education. My family is also happy because of it."

Visiting Mr. Nguyen Hoang Thao, a teacher at Phan Boi Chau High School.

Returning to my old school, Phan High School is quiet and humble. But in this small place, many generations have taken flight. I remember the old school and the teachers I knew. Ms. Dinh Thi Ngoc Viet (when we met again on the occasion of the school's 40th anniversary) said, "Aren't you coming to receive rice for me anymore?" Back then, Ms. Viet worked in the catering department. She reminded me, "It's been almost 30 years already, Ms. Viet!" My heart sank; I didn't know what to say. Oh, how I miss our school.

Visiting Mr. Nguyen Canh Cung, a teacher at Phan Boi Chau High School.

Then, our dear and beloved teachers guided and taught us, helping us grow into who we are today. I still remember Mr. Le Duc Kiem, who introduced us to History, and who took my hand and led me to the Triangle Flower Garden. The two of us sat by the fountain. The teacher recounted: "My dear! Vinh in the old days was so elegant and charming. Vinh had small, winding streets that seemed to evoke nostalgia. I remember, back then, Vinh had those 'cu-lit' (road police) officers, strolling along because they had nothing to do. Vinh was simple yet captivating. Vinh was once so neat, tidy, and orderly. Though small, the city already had a modern, civilized feel; sidewalks were unobstructed by shops, and the streets were peaceful, filled with the tinkling sound of horse-drawn carriages. In the afternoons, in the soft sunlight, young ladies in modern, high-necked ao dai dresses, carrying handbags, walked gracefully along the sidewalks alongside young men practicing boxing, their chests bulging, their hair slicked back, or beside refined young men. They walked softly, spoke quietly and politely. Occasionally, they would quote a few beautiful lines from a French writer to express their 'difficult-to-express and discreet' thoughts to their companions. Vinh back then only had a handful of cars, bicycles numbered in the tens, and motorcycles." It was almost deserted then. That was Vinh back then. As for Vinh today, as Uncle Ho instructed, it must be "ten times better than it was in 1966." We have done as Uncle Ho said, but it is only bigger and wider, not truly civilized and orderly as he wanted.

Quang Trung Boulevard is now ten times wider than the old Maréchall Foch Street, and boasts numerous high-rise, multi-star hotels. Goods abound, from traditional "cuđơ" candy to gleaming, modern car showrooms. Vinh's residents now drive cars worth hundreds of thousands of US dollars. Squares and gardens have sprung up, making Vinh more modern—something unimaginable even for the high-ranking officials of yesteryear, and merely a fantasy for the Westerners. However, to be honest, Quang Trung Boulevard still lacks many trees for a city with so much wind and sunshine. It seems that President Ho Chi Minh, during his visit to his hometown, carefully emphasized this, and even sent tree seeds to the city. Yet, Quang Trung Boulevard in particular, and Vinh in general, still lack sufficient shade for poor pedestrians. Almost everyone traveling across Vietnam passes through Quang Trung, the main street, a part of Vinh's face today.

Teacher Le Duc Kiem's ​​words, I cherish them like a love, a love between student and teacher. I remember, how hard it was for you to carry water up for Ms. Diep to wash her hair, teacher! Teacher Hoanh, who was in charge of our Literature class. One day you had a headache, and the students were given the day off. You were clutching your head in pain; only now, after almost 30 years, do I know. Teacher! Your classmates and I apologize for that. You said, "I lost my sandal, can someone help me find it?" Class president Ton Manh and Youth Union secretary Ton Nu Lan Oanh couldn't find it, teacher. You had a headache, and we little students could only remain silent.

On Facebook, I also read about a program from Phan High School. The program had a touching, truly touching name: "The Train Back to Childhood." According to the post, a user with the nickname Nguyen Thanh Son wrote, "The First 'Train Back to Childhood.' The Year of the Goat Tet Trip: 'Connecting carriages, refueling, let's all go back to our hometowns to celebrate Tet, visit our old teachers across the country...to report our achievements to them, to offer encouragement and bring a little joy to the elderly, and also to learn more things they didn't have time to teach.'"

Sharing that joy, we journeyed on long miles. Spring has arrived in our homeland!

Cong Manh