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Những bài luận đạt giải chính thức của cuộc thi
 

CÁC BÀI ĐẠT GIẢI NHẤT
First Prize
 

Key – Number: 133
Full Name: Tran Thi An Giang
Address: Freshman of foreign trade department, Hanoi Foreign Trade University.

Topic: Introduce your hometown to a friend or a foreiner who is visting Quang Binh

My Composition

A few days ago, Daisy, my long-known penfriend, visited Vietnam. She is from a remote country, The United States of America. Taking such a long trip to Vietnam, Daisy wants to see how this country is developing during the peacetime apart from keeping the promise to visit me. Her journey began in Quang Binh, my homeland, and I introduced her a lot about Quang Binh: nature, people and its present development. I brought her to different places: from the coastal area to the mountainous one, from the city to the countryside. Wherever we passed, we had unforgettable experiences and significant images.

The first destination I introduced to Daisy was Quang Binh’s beaches. Quang Binh has a long coastal line and is famous for many beautiful seas such as Nhat Le, Da Nhay, Bao Ninh,ect. which are the ideal places for a summer holiday. Reaching a fishermen’s village on an early morning, Daisy and I were attracted to the splendid scenery of the seaside. We stretched ourselves on the silky sands, enjoyed the fresh air and watched the sunrise in the east. Some cool winds blew by, bringing along the particular salty smell of the sea. The waves together rushed to the shore, leaving the white foam on the sands. We both played with waves, ran on the beach and shouted joyfully in the open air. In the distance, slowly came into view some fishing boats. A crowd of women were waiting for them on the shore in the hope of a full cabin of fish. Then, Daisy had a chance of seeing fishermen carry their products to the land. They worked properly, hurriedly and noisily. The boos, shouts and the sound of quarreling together livened up the quiet space of the seaside in the early morning. Daisy paid much attention to the manual labourers, feeling a bit confused. I somewhat understood her confusion. She might have never seen these sights in her country, where most of the production is automated. Leaving her free of thoughts and observation, I added that sea is the main source to provide the fishermen with food. Owe to the sea, successive fishermen generations have been bred, remained and developed. I also showed her the residents’ daily activities, told her how they have coped with the hard living conditions of the region in the tropical climate. The natural picture was fantastic because of its original beauty but the human beings’ sight was sad because of the abject poverty.

Our next destination was a peaceful village in the countryside. I thought Vietnamese rural area would give Daisy some interesting discoveries. Actually, she was extremely fond of wandering along the narrow path across the paddy field under the summer gentle sunshine. Blasts of Lao wind blew into our faces, giving Daisy an unpleasant feeling. I explained to her that Lao wind is a particular type of wind appearing in the mid-central Vietnam in summer. Quang Binh is one of the places where Lao wind blows most terribly. It comes from Indian Ocean, travels through the Asian countries and surpasses the Anamite range to Vietnam. After a long trip, it gradually loses moisture and becomes dry and hot. Therefore, this wind type is a threat to the living creature here, even the human beings. In spite of such serious conditions, everything develops strongly. I showed Daisy the green trees and cheerful labourers on the fields. It was at the beginning of the rice crop, farmers were busy cultivating the land and scattering the first seeds for growth. Being so curious with the farming process, Daisy could not help coming closer to see the view more clearly. Men were directing the buffaloes, ploughing furrows ready for planting. Women were sowing rice on the next fields. They totally dedicated themselves to their work. Beads of sweat dropped down fertilizing the land. Their bodies were covered with mud but they always gave happy smiles on their faces. Apparently, hard life does not matter with these indomitable people. They are determined to overcome all difficulties simply because they cannot tolerate the notion of defeat. It is Quang Binh people’s enormous strength growing in harsh times, both during and after the war.

Leaving the countryside, we continued our journey in some famous places in Quang Binh. I led Daisy to Dong Hoi city, the chief town of Quang Binh, located on the poetic Nhat Le river. Dong Hoi is on its way to development with a lot of construction plans and transportation systems. It has a proud history of establishment dating from the end of 19th century. Dong Hoi used to be considered to be a “small Paris” or “the town of roses” by a lot of Vietnamese and French reporters. Demolished seriously with tons of bomb during the war, the city now is really reviving, and even more developed than before. We visited other historical places in Quang Binh including The Thầy Rampart, The Gianh River, Mother Suot’s monument, ect. which symbolise Quang Binh people’s fighting for the national defense during hundreds of years. Each of them contains an interesting story about the past or commemorates the great Quang Binh men. Daisy was really moved at the story about Mother Suot, the Vietnamese heroic woman experiencing the Vietnam patriotic war (1954-1975). Then, Quang Binh was one of the places suffering the most intense bombardment of the enemy. Mother Suot didn’t care for the danger of massive bombs raining down, sailing the boat carrying soldiers on duty across the river. Nowadays, Mother Suot’s monument is the Quang Binh people’s recognition of her devotion and reminds younger generations to be grateful to the older ones who saved and built their hometown. I also showed Daisy the cultural and historical traditions which have been formed, developed and preserved by many generations. Our excursion was lastly finished at Phong Nha Caves, the symbol of Quang Binh’s tourism. Daisy was really overwhelmed at the dreamy beauty of the “number-one wonder Phong Nha”. After a day of visiting this fairy land, we came home with the pleasure of an exciting trip.

The tour around Quang Binh with Daisy ended. It was time for her to say goodbye to me and continue her discovery of other regions in Vietnam. She might have her own impressions, both positive and negative sides, on this land and its dauntless people. Seeing her off at the station, I wanted to tell her that “what I have introduced you is about an undeveloped Quang Binh, but the backwardness is only temporary. Please look at Quang Binh people and their potential strength, you will be optimistic about a future modern and prosperous province. ”.

The composition above is only my imagination about a trip around Quang Binh with a foreign friend. It is my great love for this land that has encouraged me to introduce about it. Quang Binh people with precious characteristics like diligence, resolution and perseverance are strong enough to overcome any difficulty and poverty to lead their province to a bright future. As a Quang Binh citizen, I am aware of my province’s situation and try my best to have much contribution to its development. My present main duty is to complete my study at school adequately to get an opportunity of higher education abroad. After that, I will return the hometown and make my dream come true: open a private tourism company to promote the potentiality of tourism of this land. I hope there will be more and more visitors to Quang Binh in several years because it is a famous place-name on the map then.

Key – Number: 98
Full Name: Nguyen Thi Thanh Bình
Address:  The 2nd Year Student, Viet Nam Aviation Academy

Topic: Write about your past experience(s) in Quang Binh and how it shaped who you are.

Last night, I had an extraordinary dream. I was on a coastal road and it took me to the place I belong to. It is my beloved Quang Binh homeland that has haunted me like a passion because I got beautiful days with many sweet memories engraving on my mind.

I were a little child again, not only stubborn but also mischievous. Throughout the primary education, I learnt at a much unknown, yet special school. It stood in the middle of a rather large area surrounded with sand hills which were covered with vivid green of poplars. Sometimes we shirked school lying under poplar’s shade, hearing wind blowing gently or playing mimic battle. Do you know Dao Duy Tu Rampart? One day, whilst my friends and I were playing on one of the sand hills, we excavated many strange vestiges by chance. Coming home, the little child asked father and he said that it was Dao Duy Tu Rampart, a famous and historical place. I, however, wondered why such a historical remnant was not carefully preserved. We occasionally found bones buried under sand. Naive children wrapped them up neatly, burnt joss-sticks and buried them again. Until now, I am not sure whether our work was good or not, but my belief is that such childhood experiences have made me grateful to the people who lived and died for the motherland’s sake. Thanks to this, I became fond of discovering the history of Viet Nam and the world as well, which gives me a sense of national pride.

One interesting thing was that my Hai Thanh Primary School very near Nhat Le Beach where my childhood was full of nice memories. Every summer afternoon, we chased each other on the beach or built sand castles dreaming of legend characters in fairy tales. On windy days, many kites were created, which naive wishes were written on then flown into the blue sky. In tune with the whole landscape, the sea glides on, sparkling like a silvery carpet. It was too hard to describe the feeling I had on childish face while listening to the sound of the sea. “… It was the look you have when you find something precious you thought you’d lost, the look you have when someone you’ve been waiting for shows up at last, the look you have when, after a long search, you find cool, sweet water in the desert” – “Water in the desert” written by Sue Leather.

If someone asks me where I belong to, I will answer I belong to the sea. As each moment of every day and every night, whenever sorrow or happiness comes, I do nothing but want to return my coastal hometown, recover a peace of mind and scream loudly with great pleasure. In a word, maybe because I have been bound to so many sacred links with the native-land nature for a long time, in some way in some place inside, in the deepest part of my soul, this will be my first destination which I always long for.

In sweet dream, I also saw myself, a junior pupil, wearing a red scarf and riding a bicycle to school fully of eagerness, which gave me a flash of memory of the time when my father bought “Red Scarf” Newspaper for me. Father is my great idol, who advised me to nonstop improve my knowledge and encouraged me to contribute to some newspapers. Never in my life have I forgotten the feeling of the day I got the first royalty from “Red Scarf” Newspaper. In spite of such low 20000 VND royalty, the feeling of happiness made me sing melodiously all day. Do you know this kind of thing was one of the reasons that brought me to a challenging life and helped me become a more active girl? Enthusiastically, I took part in outdoor activities where optimism and open-heartedness were gained. In addition, my confidence built up let me express my personal ideas among people. An idiom goes: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”. Hence, after graduating from secondary school, I adventurously ran a hand-made souvenir business. Many things were learnt from the failure in the first 5-month business of my life. Up to now, supposing that you ask me whether I would do it again if I were a 15-year-old girl, I certainly say “yes” without any hesitation. Life seems to be a long itinerary, which you have a right to choose your own way. As far as I’m concerned, I choose the way leading me to something I really want to do. Coincidentally, dream took me back to the period of 5 years ago. As a high school student, I was lucky to study at a school where I had many opportunities to develop my lifelong ambition. I screamed happily in silence on the first day we published “New Itinerary” Newspaper – the voice of Quang Binh High School For The Gifted students. At present, I am not major in journalism, but I sometimes write for some magazines. As a result of this, my language and interpersonal skills are improved, which are beneficial things for my future. During high school education, I was more mature owing to these kinds of social activities. What’s more, the love of my family, friends and people surrounding has made me sympathize with the disabled, which urged me to do something for them. As soon as the summer vacation of grade 11 came, I began fulfilling my intention of organizing a rock show to raise money for Quang Binh Victims of Agent Orange. Though at first, many people did not support and even advised me to give it up, I was more determined and was in search of friends whose minds thought alike. Exceeding my expectations, my friends and I organised a show called “Hey U, Rock’’ which raised money for charity. With the success from the first show, the second one was organised a year later at Quang Binh Competition Hall, and the money was raised for Quang Binh Study Promotion Fund. Indeed, these things have had a great significance to me since it was not only for my individual interest but also for the community. As a consequence, I got new friends, new experiences, new challenges, new lessons of teamwork, friendship, patience, event management and so on. More specially, my soul overflowed with wonderful joys up till now I can still feel as if it had just happened yesterday.

During 18 years living in Quang Binh, everything here seemed to press around me and left its mark, deep and eternal, a mark which accompanied me everywhere. Actually, when becoming a student in Ho Chi Minh City, I have not forgotten to remind as a native of Quang Binh. My heart and soul proudly belong to my homeland. Furthermore, the experiences in the past have constituted a great motive for me to make dreams come true. My wish of becoming a public relation officer in aviation never ends. Excitingly, Dong Hoi Airport is going to be near the opening-day and I have had an intention of making marketing plans and setting up the strategies in commercial policy of the civil aviation. I hope my job in future will make for Quang Binh’s development and prosperity. In other words, my place – my Quang Binh where I never forget to tell my friends with my great pride that Quang Binh is my beloved hometown.

To sum up, the strange dream brought back lively memories of 18 unforgettable years in my hometown and impelled me to greater efforts. As a rule, I love my Quang Binh in a simple and sincere meaning. Thinking of it, I myself wrote a poem named “On the way home market-train trip” on my way home 2 years ago to express my feelings:

On the way home market-train trip
A cheap train trip in a life rhythm of rush
Which all and sundry saved money on
Stopped at every train-stop
Giving place to such expensive SE, TN, E
Which oodles of people never reached
The train-whistle was full of tiredness
As a man went on hunger strike 3 days ago,
Chased after a new version Ford car begging for food.
No man nor woman liked such weary smell
Except her who was glad to sit long on such train trips.
She loved the smell of simplicity;
Loved the noise of market trains;
Loved the density of one-by-one
Elbowing others out on peak season;
Loved the hard of wood benches without mattress;
Loved the parched sometimes disgusting odour of ammoniac;
Loved “Banh Loc”* of an old cheap-jack woman;
Loved the coolness of the high winds blowing and beating in train windows;
Loved the punctuality of people rarely rich enough to buy first-class ticket
Loved so many more simple and plain things belong to cheap market trains
Cause’ for her – Love meant Hope…

* A famous dish in middle coast, especially in Quang Binh

I mean that I love the familiarity and the simplicity of Quang Binh, where I was born and grew up, where I was held safe in its arms, where I was nurtured to become a person with a simple longing is to do something better for my still poor homeland. Because for me, love means hope.

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