Into the May festival

(Baonghean)Every May, the thoughts of the Vietnamese people turn towards Kim Lien, Nam Dan district, Nghe An province - the birthplace of the great President Ho Chi Minh... During these days, streams of people continue to flock to this "common homeland" to celebrate the 123rd anniversary of his birth; as well as to participate in the 2013 Lang Sen Festival with many sports, cultural, and artistic activities rich in the identity of Nghe An province.

Ready to join the club

These days, bathed in the golden sunlight of May, from the coast to the high mountains, the air is filled with songs and poems about President Ho Chi Minh, praising the Party's contributions and the beauty of the homeland; along with many lively sporting activities from villages and communes to districts and towns. Localities joyfully celebrate the anniversary of his birth and form delegations, actively preparing to participate in the 32nd Nghe An Province Village Lotus Singing Festival and the volleyball team competition at the festival...

On May 6th, Quy Chau district organized the 2013 Village Lotus Singing Festival; the festival was attended by nearly 300 performers from 19 communes, towns, agencies, and units in the district, as well as a large number of local people. The folk dances and folk songs of Nghe An province all expressed boundless love and respect for President Ho Chi Minh... On May 3rd, Thai Hoa town organized its own festival with the participation of over 200 performers; the town selected 35 people for the team. Mr. To Son, Head of the Culture and Information Department and Director of the Thai Hoa Town Cultural and Sports Center, said: “The team has been practicing diligently for the past two weeks. The town's art program is themed “Offering the President folk songs of Nghe An.” Approximately 50% of the performances are traditional folk songs and folk songs...”

Students from Kim Lien Secondary School carry a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh during the Lang Sen Festival in 2012.

As the main unit responsible for organizing the welcoming art program at the opening ceremony of the 2013 Lotus Village Festival, in the sweltering heat of the past few days, the actors and artists of the Nghe An Provincial Folk Music and Dance Troupe have been diligently practicing – refining every small detail, practicing every glance and smile to ensure the performance achieves the highest possible effect. Everyone feels happy and honored to participate in the performance commemorating the birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, and therefore even more determined to do their best. Mr. Dang Dinh Muoi, Deputy Head of the Nghe An Provincial Folk Music and Dance Troupe, affirmed: Throughout the past month, the Nghe An Provincial Folk Music and Dance Troupe has actively organized rehearsals for eight musical and dance performances by its actors, singers, and musicians. With the meticulously approved provincial program script, the close guidance of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the sense of responsibility of each participating individual, the troupe will surely present captivating performances – "impossibly excellent" and truly meaningful...

Uncle Ho's hometown this May

This May, the fragrant pink lotus blossoms fill the air, the vibrant red of the flamboyant tree symbolizes hope, and the deep purple of the crape myrtle represents faithful longing; Nam Dan shines brightly with the national flag fluttering joyfully in front of every house... Kim Lien is now nearing the end of the harvest season – favorable weather, good irrigation, and the introduction of new varieties like Khai Phong 7 and BIO404 have resulted in a bountiful harvest. The fields are now devoid of the traditional "buffalo leading the plow" – replaced by modern machinery. In addition, the commune has promoted the development of various industries and services; especially the movement to develop farm-based businesses and create fields yielding 50 million VND/hectare; traditional crafts such as rattan and bamboo weaving and gemstone painting are being prioritized, bringing significant revenue to the local budget. Ms. Le Thi Thanh, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Kim Lien commune, said: "As one of the three pilot communes selected for the new rural development program in the 2011-2015 period of the district, Kim Lien has always strived to work hard in production to build a stronger and more prosperous homeland, as desired by President Ho Chi Minh."

Not only Kim Lien commune but also Nam Dan district has been striving to implement President Ho Chi Minh's teachings. Nam Dan has been gradually shifting its economic structure away from purely agricultural practices. The district currently has nearly twenty small industrial parks and clusters – many of which have been completed and put into operation, such as: Nam Dan CENTER commercial center; a high-quality medical examination and treatment center in Nam Nghia commune; two textile projects in the Nam Giang industrial cluster and Nam Dan HANOISIMEX Company; HAIVINA Company of South Korea; and a commercial center in Van Dien commune. Currently, the average annual growth rate of the district is 10.1%... In addition, the movement to build a cultural life in residential areas; the movement to promote learning; and the quality of education have continuously improved and achieved many results – the district has 34 schools recognized as national standard schools, and every year 1,200-1,300 students pass the entrance exams to universities and colleges.

On the village's loudspeaker, the song about Uncle Ho, sung by students from Kim Lien Primary School, resounded joyfully: “Uncle Ho has passed away, but he left behind instructions. That you children must study hard, work diligently, respect your parents, and obey your teachers… following in the footsteps of your ancestors to build a more beautiful homeland…”. Listening to the moving and heartfelt lyrics of the children, I suddenly thought, another generation of young sprouts is growing tall, simple yet confident, reaching for the sun in Uncle Ho's homeland this May.

Text and photos: Chung – Hai