Sound of history
(Baonghean) -When I was studying abroad, every time I introduced myself as Vietnamese, I received quite interesting responses from my French friends. There was no one who did not know about the small S-shaped country, and when asked "What do you know about my country?", the most common answers were still "Ho Chi Minh" and "Dien Bien Phu". Later, with international integration, the image of Vietnam was promoted more widely and more diversely to foreign friends. Vietnamese culture gradually made a strong mark on the world map, but perhaps the brilliant historical milestones of the past are still the deepest impressions of Vietnam - the country and its people.
I remember most the History class on colonial wars, the lecture mentioned the French colonialists’ war of aggression against Vietnam in particular and Indochina in general. In the class, I was the only foreigner, and I was Vietnamese, so I naturally became the center of attention. One of my friends said sympathetically: “Is it because we French invaded your country, causing your country to stagnate and fall behind on the path of development?” Before I could answer, the teacher spoke up: “War and looting in human history are like viral diseases to humans.
These are things that no one wants, but when they happen, only strong individuals with high instincts and a strong desire to survive can overcome them. Once they have overcome the serious illness, they will rise stronger than ever. Looking back at the colonial regime's war of aggression against Vietnam in particular and other countries in the world in general, is not to have a weak, sympathetic view. We must frankly admit that it was a mistake of a historical period, and at the same time, we must admire their great will and national strength." Hearing these words, I was deeply moved, and at the same time extremely proud of the tragic but heroic pages of history of the nation.
The war has been over for a long time, perhaps the old wounds and pains have subsided and gradually fallen into a peaceful sleep, leaving the light for new dawns to open up in the ever-changing homeland. Perhaps the French friend of the past, if he had the chance to meet again, would no longer feel guilty or sorry, but instead would be words of encouragement and joy for a Vietnam that is reaching out to the ocean. If there is anything remaining in their minds and ours, perhaps it will still be "Dien Bien Phu", "Ho Chi Minh", but not as reminders of the curtain of mourning that once covered the nation, but as a towering monument of pride and self-respect - a solid fortress that is the premise for the echoes in the new era. There is no longer any room for sorrow, grief, blame, hatred, those sounds are and will echo, urging us to continue the path opened up from the heroic eras.
Thuc Anh
