Remembering Autumn Days in Thailand

(Baonghean) - The historic autumn days on the S-shaped strip of land are always bustling with heroic songs, the red flag with yellow star is everywhere on every road and street. It has been more than 50 years since the day that overseas Vietnamese like us were able to return to live in the heart of our motherland, to fully feel the bustling atmosphere of the country's autumn days, to be joyful and happy to the utmost...

My parents told me that in 1946, when I was only 3 years old, the French colonialists, hiding under the shadow of the Allied forces, with the help of the British army, returned to invade Indochina. They launched attacks on major cities in Laos such as Savannakhet, Thakhet, Vientiane, etc. Comparing the balance of forces between us and the enemy at that time, the Central Government ordered the armed forces to temporarily withdraw to the country, arranging for overseas Vietnamese to take refuge in Thailand. My family was then living and working in Laos. After listening to President Ho Chi Minh's call to "sacrifice everything rather than become slaves", following the flow of more than 60,000 overseas Vietnamese in Laos, my parents and 11 children evacuated to Thailand with empty hands. Not only my family, but many Vietnamese families left behind in Laos all their properties, houses, and gardens, which they had worked so hard to build after nearly half a century. On the day of departure, the undying hatred for the invaders and the hope for a bright future were a great strength, a source of encouragement and a bond that united the Vietnamese community abroad.

Mr. Ho Ba Loc with souvenir photos of his days in Thailand.

My parents will never forget the memories of that year's evacuation. Men, women, the elderly, children,... held each other and fled from the pursuit of the French colonialists. Behind them was the sound of airplanes hovering, machine guns tearing apart the peaceful sky. In front was the Mekong River with its vast waves. Groups of people followed each other onto the boat of life heading towards the Buddha's land, towards a strange land with anxiety and confusion but without losing hope. The arduous and dangerous life-and-death crossing was the beginning of a new journey, with many difficulties and challenges. But thanks to the efforts and hard work of overseas Vietnamese and the help of the Thai Government and people, life gradually stabilized. Vietnamese people in Thailand not only worked hard to maintain their lives but also saved up to send money and property back home, contributing to the resistance.

In the autumn days, when compatriots in the country happily celebrated the anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, overseas Vietnamese in Thailand were equally joyful. That day, everyone took a day off, organized meals, gathered, children wore new clothes, and were excited like a festival. The altar in the house was decorated and arranged carefully, with a solemn picture of Uncle Ho and a red flag with a yellow star. At that time, although revolutionary activities were not public, it could not stop the joy of overseas Vietnamese people towards the National Day of the nation. Having lived in Thailand for nearly 20 years, I still remember clearly that joyful and jubilant atmosphere. Vietnamese people are patriotic, no matter how far away or how long they have been, they always yearn for their homeland. Geographical distance cannot cut off the blood ties that bind overseas Vietnamese to the Fatherland, whether when the country's life is in danger or when peace has been restored. We suffer with the pain, rejoice with the joy of the nation.

The more we rejoice with the nation and the more we suffer with the country, the more determined each overseas Vietnamese in Thailand is to work to support the resistance. The wealth and material sent from Thailand is the wholeheartedness of the overseas Vietnamese there. In my memory, I can never forget the moment when I heard the news that our army and people won the glorious Dien Bien Phu victory, shaking the world on May 7, 1954. Emotions burst out, everyone hugged each other, crying and laughing, tears mixed with joy and pride. However, at that time, because of the fear that our fighting force would grow stronger, overseas Vietnamese in Thailand were increasingly restrained by the colonialists. Overseas Vietnamese in Thailand could only watch the joy of the nation from afar and deep in their hearts. But no matter, all of this only makes the love and nostalgia for the homeland and country stronger, urging the people to live and work well, believing in a bright future that will open up for the nation's destiny. That day, they will return, face down in the shelter of the motherland...

But, freed from the French colonial rule, the country once again struggled to resist the invasion of the American empire. The longing of the children living far away from home had to miss their appointment with the motherland once again. Parting once, promising to return soon, unexpectedly, after being separated for decades, love and nostalgia filled up every autumn. When our compatriots in the country celebrated the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, our overseas Vietnamese in Thailand joined in the joyful beat of the nation.

In 1960, when Uncle Ho called on overseas Vietnamese to return home to build the country, no one hesitated or hesitated but was ready to register to return home. From the beginning of 1960 to 1964, there were 75 ships carrying more than 40,000 overseas Vietnamese in Thailand back home. The first ship named Anh Phuc carrying 922 overseas Vietnamese, managed by the Thai side, arrived at Hai Phong Port on January 9, 1960, bringing their children back to their homeland after many years of separation. What no repatriate dared to think of was that in that solemn and friendly welcome, there was also President Ho Chi Minh. When the overseas Vietnamese children clearly saw the figure of the leader, they were somewhat surprised, thinking it was strange but it turned out that they had been familiar and attached for a long time. Uncle Ho was Thau Chin in the past - the person who had shared hardships with the people when he was a guest in a foreign land, who had carried bricks with the people to build schools for children, brought goods to "friends" to trade, and went fishing together. The overseas Vietnamese burst into joy, pride and emotion. Because the people in the country got to meet President Ho Chi Minh when he appeared with the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, and the overseas Vietnamese in Thailand had lived with the leader and been organized and educated by him since 1928. That was the greatest comfort and encouragement for the children who, despite being far away, never stopped looking forward to their homeland.

It has been more than 50 years since my overseas Vietnamese and I left Thailand to return to our homeland. Our country has changed a lot, and major holidays are celebrated more solemnly. But one thing has never changed, which is the love for our homeland of the Vietnamese people. Whether in war or in peace, although each person expresses it differently, everyone shares the same passionate love for the country. Just like our previous generation of overseas Vietnamese, living in faraway Thailand, not being free to celebrate the victory day, our love for our country and our will to hate the enemy are always boiling. I often tell my grandchildren about the difficult days away from home, about the history of our nation growing up from pain and hardship. Having lived almost a whole life, being able to return to my homeland, seeing my grandchildren being well-fed and becoming good people, the Fatherland has given me everything.

Phuong Thao

(Recorded according to Mr. Ho Ba Loc, Vice President of the Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association of Nghe An province)