The charm of the red land

(Baonghean) - For a long time, those two rows of tamarinds have shaded the small road leading to Tay Ho 1 block - Quang Tien ward (Thai Hoa town). Many people were born, grew up, and associated their childhood with the town by the Hieu river with those tamarind rows. People say that these tamarind trees have existed since the French colonial period, when people from the lowlands came to reclaim the land and saw them. Time and rain and sunshine have passed through the canopy of leaves, creating rough marks on the tree trunks. It is surprising when one morning, summer wakes up with the deep chirping of cicadas and emerald green leaves. The season of saying goodbye to school, the tiny leaves fly down from the air, spreading a layer of soft yellow on the red dirt road. Just like that, the tamarind rows measure time with the color of leaves. Creating a unique charm of the red land of Phu Quy.

Row of ancient tamarind trees along the road to Tay Ho Block 1.

Now, the road leading to the old hamlet has been paved. Houses have grown up and become narrower. There is no more red soil, but the two rows of tamarinds are still there, more silent and solemn, absorbing the sun and wind of the sky, the changes on the ground. And right across the road is the 250 mechanical workshop, very old, but for some reason, it still remains today in the bustle of the young town. The roof is brown and moldy. Once upon a time, Workshop 250 also had its own vibrant life, so now it is quietly listening...

Mr. Nguyen Duc Quy (born in 1967), also had a childhood of climbing tamarind trees like many children here. After a period of struggling with the job of a driver, he returned to the tamarind tree and set up a small barber shop. Next to Mr. Quy's shop, Mr. Nguyen The Thanh also opened a barber shop. In a flash, nearly 20 years have passed, two tiny shops, each only about 2 square meters, leaning against ancient tamarind trees. The two barbers, whenever they have free time, sit and chat. They know every step, every motorbike horn, every face that passes by every day, hear the sun and rain on the canopy, witness the storms and the steadfastness of the trees. Every day they open the small shop, they quietly become an indispensable part of a harmonious whole: the road - tamarind trees. Those two shops, as well as the tamarind shop and the old mechanical workshop, create a part of the nostalgia in the hearts of those who have left the red land, including those who are startled when one day passing by the street and see that their hair has more silver strands.

Thuy Vinh