(Baonghean.vn) - Not as bright and bustling with colorful lights as in the city, the poor parishioners in the fishing village at the foot of Cua Tien Bridge (Vinh City) celebrate Christmas in their own way. Although simple, it still has a warm and bustling atmosphere.
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| Peaceful and somewhat quiet after the noisy and bustling Vinh market is the fishing village at the foot of Cua Tien bridge in Yen Giang block (Vinh Tan ward). These days, when passing by here, we can easily feel the difference when each boat seems brighter and more sparkling even though it is late at night. It seems that the Christmas atmosphere has crept into each boat, each leaf. |
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| Not having the means to decorate with luxury items, the households in the fishing village, with their own skillful hands, have taken advantage of available materials to decorate and serve their families' Christmas. |
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| For 13 years, the family of Nguyen Van Thai and Ta Thi Hien has celebrated Christmas on a boat that is also their home and shelter for their two children from the rain and sun. They are originally from Hung Xuan (Hung Nguyen), and have been fishing since childhood. However, life became difficult so the family moved here to both fish and work at Vinh market. |
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| Over the past 13 years, despite many economic difficulties, they have still maintained regular activities at Cau Ram parish. |
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| He shared: "Although there is not much for Christmas, before Christmas comes, my wife, I and my children decorate the lights ourselves a week in advance. For me, that brings joy and hope in life." |
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| At the end of the river is the boat of Mr. Nguyen Van Thuan's family (born in 1968). Taking advantage of the small plot of land when the boat was anchored, his family decorated themselves a small, pretty Christmas tree to welcome the Christmas season. Not too bright and elaborate, but that dispelled the cold in the dark night in the quiet alley. |
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| At the warehouse where the family collected materials, everyone also decorated with flashing lights and stars. It has been 26 years since becoming residents of the fishing village, Thuan's family still maintains this habit on the big holiday. |
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| Currently, Mr. Thuan's eyesight is only 30%, his health is poor, and he has many children, so his family does not have the conditions to have a prosperous Christmas like many other families. |
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| On another boat in the fishing village, even though it was almost Christmas Eve, the parents of the children still had to make a living by picking up scrap metal on the city streets. There were only two children left on the boat. |
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| At the altar placed in the most solemn position of the boat, the children still read the Bible and pray that their dreams will come true. |
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| These things seem so simple, so ordinary, but for the poor riverside neighborhood, to have a real Christmas seems too difficult for everyone. Christmas Eve is near, hope all peace will come to every family. |
Thanh Quynh - Lam Manh
