1. The Lover of the Tour Guide
You asked me, "What is your profession?"
I smiled and replied, "I travel far and wide."
You frowned... surely you have many lovers.
I nodded and said... but none followed me.
You said: "It must be your pride."
It’s just the distance that keeps us apart, my love!
I travel to many places for work,
But my love for you is simple and true.
I guide tourists across distant lands,
While I long for you, my love, to be my one and only.
You play the roles of both wife and husband,
Though I worry about how time might fade your beauty.
The journey may be long and far,
But in my heart, it feels like I’m with you at home.
Life is beautiful, filled with trust,
And your love shines in every place I visit.
-Collected-


2. His Love for the Job
I am a man, a tour guide at heart,
Wandering along roads far and wide,
My skin is tanned from the distant lands,
The winds have hardened my hair… from far away.
My only baggage is a backpack,
And countless smiles to share along the way,
My eyes are bright with hope and zest,
My profession, well, it's known to all…
Drifting endlessly without a destination,
Not lost, yet never still,
Not aimless, but always uncertain.
My job is just about words,
Words that others hear, understand, and see,
They hear my love, my tales of the land,
Wherever I go, I leave a piece of my heart.
I leave behind poems and music for life,
And a sweet scent for the girl from another land,
But only in silence, my heart is shy.
I send my love across vast expanses,
Then, suddenly, it stirs in the corner of my heart…
…
I travel far and wide,
Days pass, a week or more,
My love waits, growing angry,
One day I’m here, the next I’m gone,
Back I return, with a bit of red, a bit of white,
But my lover turns to jealousy.
A tour guide must carry the dust of the road,
And so I am labeled as a heartbreaker.
My heart sinks with harsh words:
“You talk for a living, but it brings only sorrow,”
“Forget last year’s promises, all of them!”
…
I travel to the ends of the earth,
My sister and mother both worry for me,
Hoping I find peace while I’m away,
I know, every time I leave the family nest,
I serve tea, pour water, care for strangers,
But with each departure, I let them down.
My friends are well-established, with families to care for,
While I chase my dreams, always far from home,
Yet my heart remains calm, even with the longing.
I have a house, a child, and a wife,
But my love seems fleeting, like a temporary joy,
Because I’m never close enough to stay.
My wife understands and supports me,
Taking care of our child while I’m away.
At night, I’m alone in my bed,
Worried that I’ll miss my child’s birthday or an important tour,
But I know I can’t rush, for the customers come first.
My love waits for me to return at night,
And I bring gifts, though I arrive late.
It’s a bittersweet happiness, hearing my child’s voice.
But this is the job I chose, selfish at times,
Yet I know my wife and child understand.
My mother’s gaze is filled with sorrow,
But she knows I love this work, even if it keeps me away.
This is the life I lead, devoted to the profession,
And though I may seem indifferent, my heart is full.
Love for this job means my heart remains restless,
But what I gain from it is real:
Passion, happiness, and all the rewards it brings,
Living the life of a wanderer, laughing and speaking freely,
Chasing dreams, following the winds of destiny.
-Collected-


3. A Letter to the Tour Guide's Lover
You asked me, what’s the noblest profession?
I answered, it's the life of a tour guide,
A tour guide carries a heart full of passion,
With warm blood always flowing in his chest.
With pride, I wear the title of tour guide,
For I am the ambassador of my homeland,
Though I know some may hate, and some may love,
Why bother with words that are not true?
Armed with knowledge, I greet each guest,
Leading the group with the flag in my hand,
I unite strangers, bringing them close,
As they leave, they feel like old friends.
Don’t scorn me for traveling too much,
For weeks or even months away from you,
Don’t think that a guide is a heartbreaker,
For what I carry is a unique kind of love.
My love is divided, but all for noble causes:
The first love is for the history of our fathers,
The second is a deep love for my people,
The third is my love for the beauty of my land,
The fourth is for international friends,
And no one can replace the love I have for you,
You alone are my one true love.
No matter where I go, my heart always turns to you.
…
The night is deep, I wait for the morning light,
After this night, I will step forward again,
Don’t cry for me, don’t weep for our parting,
The day we reunite, we’ll build our beautiful dreams together.
-Collected-


4. The Life of a Tour Guide
Out of all the professions, I chose to be a guide,
One that keeps me awake at night, and up early at dawn.
But my friend, being a guide is a noble calling,
Sometimes we stand before a crowd like a teacher in a classroom.
Instead of chalk, we speak with words, instead of lesson plans, we teach from the heart.
The job of a guide, though full of hardship,
Is something we do with pride, serving everyone we meet.
After the tour ends, we return to our modest rooms,
Each journey feels like a test with high expectations.
The examiners are the guests, each one meticulous,
Despite the challenges, we prove our skills and knowledge.
The reward? A tip for our efforts,
Money earned from sweat, tears, and dedication.
Each trip, we silently gather wisdom and experience,
Enriching our knowledge, sharpening our talents.
When the journey ends, there's a bittersweet feeling,
The guests wave goodbye, and we promise to meet again.
-Collected-


5. Green Tourism
Tourism grows endlessly,
Countless visitors have come to see us.
With breathtaking landscapes, vibrant flowers,
The people of Vietnam, warm, kind, and full of joy.
"Vietnam - a safe haven,"
"Timeless beauty," endless resources...
Tourism development... our top priority,
Our unique, solid, and sustainable economic strength...
We can't grow recklessly,
It must be green, clean, and beautiful to thrive.
Litter, stagnant water... for too long,
We need to gather it all and clean it up.
Trash from rivers, bays, and shores,
Don't discard it, but gather and bury it.
From the city to the countryside,
Every place should be beautiful and delightful!
Exciting opportunities have been uncovered,
The potential of tourism calls from every corner.
To leave a lasting impression on travelers...
We guide with no salary... and still smile!
-Trần Đức-


6. The Daughter of Tourism
Mother says, you're a girl,
Why choose a career in tourism, my dear?
All day you travel to distant lands,
With dark skin and curly hair, how will you find a husband?
Mother doesn't understand the heart of her daughter,
Who dreams of adventures far and wide, day and night.
To explore every corner of the land,
From North to South, how beautiful is our homeland.
You are a tour guide,
Leading guests to distant and familiar places alike.
Come visit our homeland,
The Phu's Rock still speaks of timeless love.
Stop by Yen Tu, my dear,
The birthplace of Buddhism, a place for spiritual peace.
The sacred lands of the Hung Kings,
Phu Tho, and the ancient towns on our way.
Don't forget to visit Pác Bó,
And the ancient banyan tree in Tan Trao.
Hey there, brave girl from the Thao River,
If you love me, hold the flag for me to cross.
Nam Dan, the vast land of Nghe,
The homeland of Uncle Ho, filled with countless songs.
The ancient city of Hue is not far,
The majestic Hai Van Pass, with clouds in the air.
Bana is nearby,
The Five Elements Mountains await you, day and night.
The ancient town of Hoi An is crowded,
The proud heart of Central Vietnam.
Visit the coastal city of Nha Trang,
The Pearl Island of Vietnam, full of life and beauty.
Take a break at Cà Ná Beach,
Relax by the calm blue sea, my dear.
One afternoon in Mui Ne, we'll swim,
The misty beauty of Da Lat, waiting for you.
Quang Ninh has the poetic mountains,
Tay Ninh has the Black Lady Mountain, with endless charm.
Visit the Cao Dai Holy See,
On your way back to the heroic Cu Chi tunnels.
Flow down to Mount Sam,
Join in the sacred festival of Lady Chua.
Visit the My Thuan Bridge,
Vung Tau – Con Dao welcome you with open arms.
Return to the Land of Cà Mau,
Fly to Phu Quoc, the island full of treasures.
One afternoon by Ha Tien,
Your shadow blends with the evening glow.
You love the profession you've chosen,
Your heart beats in sync with the homeland and sky.
Love for you fills my heart,
Let me be the light guiding your path.
- Collecting -


7. Tour Guide
The tour guide speaks with sweetness,
She is a mountain girl from the highlands.
Wading through streams, visiting plum forests,
Climbing steep cliffs, while others admire the peach blossoms.
Special flowers to savor and appreciate,
A unique fruit offering that fills the heart with excitement.
Leading the group with care, always thoughtful,
Receiving compliments from guests fills the heart with joy.
-Trung Lê-

