1. Reference Essay #4
Through the poet's nostalgia – a person who has had to live far from home – the Gò Me landscape emerges as both simple and familiar, yet lively and radiant. The space is depicted with vast, expansive scenes like 'seas, embankments, rice fields, and village ponds.' The sounds here are vivid, filled with melody: the jingling of the horse's bells, the rustling of the village pond, the hustle of the sugarcane garden, and the soft hum of the thatched roofs...
The light takes on a rich variety of colors, representing different times of the day. There’s the quiet glow of a dimmed lighthouse, the blinding brightness of the sun, and the shimmering radiance of the late-night moon.
The scenery of Gò Me is portrayed with clarity, peace, and the simplicity of a beloved countryside: resting beneath the tamarind trees, listening to the rustling of bamboo; butterflies and birds fluttering in the breeze; the call of the dove at noon; the gentle whispers of the wind through the bamboo groves...
Thus, the nature of Gò Me appears as a beautiful, vibrant painting, filled with refreshing colors from the trees, lively sounds from the birds, and the animated flutter of butterflies or the gentle sway of leaves in the summer afternoon.

2. Reference Essay #5
In reading the poem 'Gò Me,' the audience can deeply feel the beauty of the Gò Me region as well as the emotions the poet intends to convey. The author beautifully depicts the vibrant natural beauty of Gò Me, a simple, familiar countryside with sights like dikes, rice fields, and village ponds.
The sounds are alive and vivid, such as the jingling of the horse’s bell, the rippling of the village pond, the rustling of the sugarcane garden, and the soft swaying of the thatched roofs. The charm of the people of Gò Me is also captured, reflecting their graceful and endearing nature.
The image of the Gò Me girl is portrayed through typical details: 'her charming dimples,' her diligent labor, planting and working the land with skillful hands, while also passionately singing the traditional songs of her people. I am particularly moved by the portrayal of the speaker in the poem.
The speaker’s childhood memories are vivid and beautiful: 'lying on the hammock with mother, cutting grass, tending cows, resting my head on my shirt, lying beneath the tamarind trees, listening to the bamboo flutes.' Gò Me, as remembered by the author, feels so close and beloved. Through this poem, Hoàng Tố Nguyên expresses his love and pride for his homeland.

3. Reference Essay #6
Poet Hoàng Tố Nguyên was one of the founding members of the Vietnam Writers' Association (1957). He is regarded as one of the most outstanding poets from the Southern region who moved to the North. He has published dozens of poetry collections. Gò Me, located in Trung An commune, My Tho city, Tien Giang province, is a place of exceptional natural beauty and is a popular tourist destination in Tien Giang.
Gò Me is not just a poetry collection; it is like a refreshing breeze in a suffocating environment. Northern readers, for the first time, encountered a poet from the South, capturing the essence of the people, the landscapes, and the genuine, soulful voice of Southern poetry—simple yet deeply touching. In Gò Me, Hoàng Tố Nguyên finds his familiar voice from the countryside. Like a lark in the field, he sings the pure, natural melody of Gò Công, of the South. The harmonious tone of his poetry resonates with the Northern audience, who immediately recognize and embrace the warmth of his voice. It is this very voice that has made Hoàng Tố Nguyên's name known.
The poem expresses the poet's deep love, connection, and pride for his beloved Gò Me homeland. These emotions are conveyed through vivid depictions of the natural beauty and the people of Gò Me. The poem opens with the phrase 'That is my hometown,' a proud affirmation of the poet's bond with his ancestral land. The author introduces his homeland with its 'sea-facing shores' and the lighthouse 'flashing, lighting the night.' The poem continues with descriptions of peaceful, beautiful scenes seen through the poet's tender eyes: the red sand dike with the jingling sound of the horse’s bell, people bustling toward Gò market, vast rice fields stretching to the horizon. The author likens the village pond’s clear water to the tears of a lover, confirming a deep, lasting love for this land. Amid this beautiful landscape, the image of hardworking, gentle people shines through, creating a beautiful countryside painting painted by a child who will always love and be proud of their homeland.

4. Reference Essay #1
In the nostalgic recollections of a person far from home, the scenery of Gò Me emerges both familiar and vibrant, full of life. In this expansive landscape, a lighthouse stands guiding the fishing boats. The declaration 'That is my hometown' feels like a passionate call, filled with pride for one’s homeland. The poem reflects the speaker's deep yearning for Gò Công, unsure when he will ever return:
That is my hometown; the sea stretches before me,
The lighthouse flashes, lighting up the night.
In this space where the poet once belonged, the red sand dike with its grassy edges comes alive, a grassy slope where herds of horses move up to Gò Công:
The red sand dike with grassy edges,
The jingling of the horse’s bell, heading toward Gò market.
The surrounding fields, a year-round gentle breeze,
The golden rice fields shining brightly in the sun.
The village pond, bathed in moonlight, clouds drifting by,
The water as clear as the tears of my beloved.
My hometown in the early morning, in the late afternoon,
The bustling sugarcane fields,
The thatched roofs gently swaying, releasing faint smoke.
The lively jingling of the horse’s bell blends with the sounds of flutes and birds, creating a prosperous, cheerful Gò Me.
With the multicolored lights, the varying shades of time throughout the day: the calm glow of the lighthouse, the brilliant sunlight, the shimmering light of the late moon. The scenery of Gò Me appears clear, peaceful, and simple, embodying the welcoming nature of the countryside. Within this, the line:
The water as clear as the tears of my beloved
Depicts Gò Me's nature as a beautiful landscape painting. The comparison is tender, filled with subtlety and meaning. The clear beauty of a lover’s eyes is like a vibrant, colorful landscape, with the lively sounds of birds and the fluttering butterflies or leaves in the summer breeze.

5. Reference Poem 2
The girls of Go Me are depicted with distinctive features, such as their dimples that appear as they work, embodying a strong, healthy beauty:
The girls with their dimpled cheeks
Planting rice, their hands rounded, tilting their hats gracefully
These are girls who are dedicated, hardworking, and full of life, with souls that are gentle, loving, and artistic:
The sweet sound of traditional songs fills the air
The bamboo sways softly, as the clouds listen intently
These vivid descriptions reveal the natural charm, grace, and passion for work of the girls from Go Me. The people here are kind-hearted, hardworking, honest, and full of a deep and rich soul.
Through the longing of someone far from home, the author evokes a portrait of Go Me that feels so close, so dear, with its hardworking and humble people, and its gentle, welcoming nature.
The poem conveys the author’s deep affection, connection, and pride for their beloved Go Me.
This affection and pride are expressed through the beautiful imagery of Go Me’s people and nature. The poem opens with “This is my homeland” — a clear statement of the author's pride in their roots.
The following verses unfold images of serene and beautiful landscapes, seen through the author’s loving eyes. Central to these images are the people, their sweet songs, their diligence in work, and their simple, honest ways of life.
All of this comes together to create a stunning portrayal of the countryside, drawn by someone who cherishes and takes immense pride in their homeland.

6. Reference Article 3
The poem 'Gò Me' by Hoàng Tố Nguyên has left a lasting impression on me. The natural beauty of Gò Me is depicted as both serene and familiar, yet full of life and vibrancy. The poet captures the vastness of the landscape, with imagery of the sea, dikes, rice fields, and village ponds.
The sounds are vivid and lively—the clinking of the horse’s bell, the rustling of the village pond, the whispers of the sugarcane garden, and the gentle swaying of the thatched roofs... The light shifts in many hues, reflecting different times of day.
The calm glow of the lighthouse at night, the bright shining of the sun, and the soft, shimmering light of the late moon all bring the scenery to life. The people of Gò Me are portrayed with their unique beauty.
The young women of Gò Me are described with charming details: their “dimpled cheeks full of grace,” their “shy red faces,” their actions “planting rice with round hands,” “making sour soup by the fire,” and “sweetly singing traditional songs.”
They are people who are not only diligent workers but also passionate about art and live with deep affection. Particularly notable is the image of the speaker’s childhood, where memories of being “rocked in a hammock by my mother, cutting grass, herding cattle, resting on a pillow under the tamarind tree, listening to the bamboo flute” are cherished.
It’s clear that Gò Me, in the speaker’s memory, is a place filled with closeness, warmth, and love for its hardworking people and its gentle, tranquil nature. Through this, the poet expresses their deep affection, connection, and pride for their homeland.

