"I am a daughter-in-law from Nghe An province."

(Baonghean) - “When I became a daughter-in-law in Nghe An, I couldn't help but feel anxious due to the differences in customs and traditions. But over time, the genuine and simple nature of this place gradually seeped into me, and now I consider Nghe An my true homeland.” These are the heartfelt words of teacher Tran Thi Dieu Huong (54 years old) - a woman originally from Da Nang who has been a daughter-in-law in Nghe An for over 25 years.

I was born when the country was still divided by war, the tenth child in a family of twelve siblings in Da Nang City. "More children mean more wealth" – that was the common belief in many families at that time, but my parents still managed to provide us with a proper education.

Teacher Tran Thi Dieu Huong makes banh beo (Vietnamese steamed rice cakes).

One early morning in late March 1975, my twelve siblings and I were herded into a car by our parents to escape the bombs and stray bullets at our aunt's house. I was naive and didn't understand anything, only seeing my grandmother's dull eyes light up: "Uncle Ho's soldiers are about to liberate the city, my children!" My father, his eyes welling up with emotion, gently took out a tiny photograph, no bigger than a fingertip, from his breast pocket, cherishing it like a treasure. He then called us closer and slowly said, "This is a picture of Uncle Ho, the hero of our entire nation." That was the first time I had seen a portrait of Uncle Ho, and it was also the moment my siblings and I realized that our parents had been involved in revolutionary activities for many years, sheltering cadres whom we had mistakenly believed to be "relatives from our parents' village visiting."

After the country was reunified, I longed to visit the North, and that dream came true. That was when I represented Da Nang at the first National Sports Games in 1977, competing in the pentathlon. My first trip to the North deepened my understanding and admiration for the immense sacrifices made by the North, the rear base, for the great national resistance. My connection with the North continued when, later, I taught at a school in Dai Loc district, Quang Nam province, and met him – a teacher from Nam Dan.

It was the simplicity, sincerity, and straightforwardness of this man from Nghe An that "conquered" the affection of everyone at school, and of course, me. Coming together with all the love, admiration, and respect, the fulfilling life of the two of us continued to flow with time in our small home filled with laughter.

Then, an "event" completely changed my life when my father-in-law fell seriously ill and passed away. My husband didn't say anything, but I understood he wanted to take my children and me back to his hometown to live and work. At that time, I was very worried and anxious, because I had never been a daughter-in-law in the traditional sense. I thought about the work, customs, and traditions in my husband's hometown and couldn't help but worry whether I could fulfill the responsibilities of a good daughter-in-law and integrate into life in that unfamiliar land...

Finally, overcoming my doubts and hesitations, I decided to tell my husband about my intention to return to my hometown. My husband, both happy and emotional, hugged me and said, "My dear, life in the countryside is very difficult. But you know, the people there are kind and simple, and you'll quickly get used to and love our Nghe An homeland."

With my husband's encouragement, I felt more confident and less anxious. In 1990, we moved to Nghe An. He got a teaching job at a school in Vinh City, while I stayed home, taking care of my mother-in-law and raising the children. Life as a daughter-in-law was initially unfamiliar, and being straightforward, I often displeased my mother-in-law. But people from Nghe An are known for their frankness, clear likes and dislikes, and for saying what they think, so my mother-in-law gradually opened her heart to me. I also continuously strived to improve myself as a virtuous daughter-in-law, nurturing a warm and harmonious family.

My husband's teacher's salary barely covers the basic expenses of our family. Feeling sorry for him shouldering the burden alone, and for our growing children, I was determined to help him with the financial burden. My mother-in-law and I looked for ways to earn extra income. We worked tirelessly, eventually managing to rent a kiosk at Vinh Train Station Market where I opened a small grocery store. "Every beginning is difficult," and being from Da Nang with a completely different accent from Nghe An, I faced many challenges in communicating and interacting with customers and suppliers.

There were times when I felt discouraged, when my longing for Da Nang overwhelmed me more intensely than ever. But then, with the encouragement of my family, especially my mother-in-law, my love and attachment to the land and people of Nghe An province grew stronger and stronger. My husband and children often commented encouragingly that I had truly become a daughter-in-law with a strong Nghe An spirit.

If there's anything that sets me apart from other daughters-in-law from Nghe An, it's perhaps that my accent still carries a Da Nang influence, and I run a small eatery within my eldest son's coffee shop – where I cook traditional Da Nang dishes like banh beo, banh bot loc, and Quang noodles… both to earn extra income and to introduce these dishes to the people of Nghe An and evoke memories of my hometown.

To this day, after nearly 25 years of living here, this "foreign land" of my early days has, without me even realizing it, become the nurturing ground for my soul. I can clearly feel the essence of Nghe An permeating my blood, my thoughts, and my actions. I have truly found a peaceful haven within the simple yet warm and sincere embrace of the people of Nghe An.

Canh Nam