Independence Day in my hometown

During the revolutionary autumn days, banners, slogans, and national flags adorned every road in my hometown. Loudspeakers blared the words of Uncle Ho reading the "Declaration of Independence" from years past, along with songs praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, and celebrating the country's renewal... Every household, every person, every village was busy preparing for Independence Day...

From the afternoon of September 1st, families prepared local gifts such as custard apples, persimmons, pomelos, and bananas to offer at Uncle Ho's altar, lighting incense sticks to commemorate the great father of the nation. Some families even organized the making of banh tet and banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) using the finest fragrant glutinous rice from the newly harvested summer-autumn crop, and cooked a pot of freshly cooked rice to offer to Uncle Ho...

Many families in my hometown "offer" rewards before their children start the new school year: "If they get high grades at the end of the school year, they will be rewarded with a trip to Uncle Ho's hometown on September 2nd." Perhaps because of this, most children in my hometown have visited Uncle Ho's hometown more than once, and many have even visited his mausoleum in the capital. The Women's Association and the Senior Citizens' Association also organize pilgrimages to visit Uncle Ho's paternal and maternal hometowns, pay respects at the tomb of Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan, and visit Ho Chi Minh Square in Vinh on Independence Day...

Reviewing the Scout Ceremony on National Day, September 2nd. Photo: Phuc Thanh

On the main day of the September 2nd holiday, the people gathered in full force at the commune hall for a commemorative rally, recalling the glorious revolutionary traditions of the nation and the spirit of the Vietnamese people after President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence. Local organizations and associations offered incense and flowers at the commune's martyrs' cemetery and historical sites; they also organized visits and presented gifts to families receiving preferential treatment...

Following the solemn and sacred ceremonies is the "festival" part. On National Day in this purely agricultural countryside, each age group has its own fun activities. From stick-fighting for boys and cooking competitions for girls, to folk singing for the elderly women and chess for the elderly men. Young men and women also participate in cultural and sporting activities such as football, conveyor belt games, table tennis, and cultural performances...

For over a month now, the villages and hamlets have been filled with the sounds of drums rehearsing the rituals of the Youth Pioneer Team, buzzing with stories of camping and competitions to present fruit platters to Uncle Ho... As is customary, on Independence Day, each hamlet sets up a camp, stages a cultural program, and gathers at the cooperative's warehouse yard on the evening of September 1st to compete...

This year, preparations for Independence Day in Thanh Chuong, a region rich in revolutionary traditions, began earlier. This also marks the 80th anniversary of the district's founding by the Party Committee and its people. In addition to vibrant activities in various localities, the district organized a solemn rally at the district stadium, a spectacular art performance of forming words into characters, a large-scale camp with the participation of 40 communes and towns, and a unique cultural exchange program. Particularly noteworthy is the first-ever exhibition of photographs titled "The Beauty of Thanh Chuong" by photographer Ha Lanh, featuring 80 images of Thanh Chuong's resilient revolutionary countryside, rich cultural heritage, and remarkable progress during the period of reform.

These days, the people of Thanh Chuong are also enthusiastically competing to achieve many accomplishments to celebrate the great holidays, the 65th anniversary of National Day on September 2nd, and the 80th anniversary of the district's establishment... In the fields and on the plains, people are focusing on harvesting the summer-autumn crop and preparing for a successful winter crop. Schools are excitedly entering the new school year with new targets and tasks, gradually improving the quality of education and enriching the tradition of studiousness in the homeland. Various sectors, agencies, units, blocks, and hamlets are also launching many meaningful movements...

Independence Day is an occasion for the younger generation to connect with their roots and rekindle a sense of national pride. From there, each person is inspired to strive, grow, and contribute to building a prosperous and strong homeland... With that meaning, Independence Day in my hometown is celebrated solemnly and respectfully... People from Thanh Chuong living far from home may not be able to return for Lunar New Year or the Full Moon Festival, but they always gather together on National Day...

Phuc Thanh