1. Return to Ha Nam
Come with me to Ha Nam
The Da River flows gently down the poetic slopes
On both sides, hills dream softly
A watercolor painting that stretches its threads to the sky
My homeland imprints life’s shadows
Temples and pagodas… paths are filled without words, my love?
Lãnh Giang, Truc Temple... the mountain’s peak?
Lăng Temple, Vũ Điện... forming melodies of song
Trần Phương sways in the distant wind
Cradling the soul of the wandering traveler in the evening breeze
Bà Đanh Temple, a silhouette in solitude
A century of quiet sorrow and loneliness
Oh, you should visit Hang Luồn!
Dong Pond, perhaps there’s a little lingering grudge?
Ro fishing pond with gratitude
Fish stew from Nhân Hậu, urging us to gather
Rice cakes, rolled cakes… disappear quickly
Da Hoàng bananas stir the heart with longing
I miss you, with rosy cheeks and lips
Blossoming into youth, you count the love that fills the heart
Wandering, stealing a glance
A sky full of blue eyes, quietly watching
Ha Nam lingers, caught in a dream!
Love spreads its wings, soaring into the heart.
Author: Thiên Ân


2. Come to Ha Nam, My Love!
Will you come to my hometown, Ha Nam?
In this land of warm-hearted people and rich rice fields,The Hồng Phú Bridge connects two sides, lush and green,
Phủ Lý, where the heroic spirit of the motherland lies.
Come, visit Ha Nam, my homeland,
The Tịch Điền Festival welcomes you with the spring breeze,
Behold Tam Chúc Temple veiled in mist, its towering spire,
As visitors from far and wide arrive for the spring festival.
Will you come to Lũng Xuyên, my dear hometown?
Remember the flag from the Nam Kỳ uprising,The factory, the construction site, flags waving proudly,
Phủ Lý’s warm embrace, the spirit of Lam Hạ.
Come, visit Mount Đọi, my hometown,
Watch the king plow the fields under the spring sky,
At Tiên Temple, where the prayers for blessings and wealth are heard.
Come, see the bustling city at the confluence of three rivers,
With the sound of machines echoing through the busy construction sites,
The Nhuệ, Châu, and Đáy Rivers flow in harmony,
Just like the people of my hometown—united, one heart.
Ha Nam, my homeland, welcomes all with love,
The sincerity of its people, simple yet heartfelt.
In spring, the folk songs fill the air,
The melodies of love, offering tea and betel to all.
Will you come to Ha Nam, my dear?
There, you’ll find me waiting, full of longing,
Come, my love, for I still wait, still hope,
For our love to blossom, forever strong.
Come, when spring brings flowers in full bloom,
So that our love can always stay bright and true...
By: Tào Khánh Hưng


3. Ha Nam
In the rice fields of Phủ Lý, my homeland,
Find my hometown through the gentle tunes of folk songs,
The drum beats of the chèo raise the rhythm of the melody,
While white herons soar gracefully as dusk falls.
The Đáy River flows, carrying silt from Kẽm Trống,
Playing the song of the water with its rhythm on both banks,
The ferries, crossing back and forth, keep the waves in tune,
And the wind blows strongly, carrying memories from dawn to dusk.
The days of war and violence are long past,
After relentless attacks, the country was broken by war,
But young men stood firm, marching forward,
The blood stained the poor land of Nguyễn Khuyến.
This is the land where Nam Cao wrote about Bá Kiến,
Where Trần Thương Temple holds spiritual strength,
The limestone mountains, scattered throughout the land,
Cement is produced, flowing to every direction.
Bầu Market, bustling with stalls,
The Đại Hoàng village, fragrant with Chuối Ngự,
Fighting against colonialism with the “Bồ Đề Drum,”
At Mount Đọi, the Tịch Điền Festival welcomes the new year.
At the sacred Bầu Temple, where divinity lingers,
And the famous Bà Đanh Temple stands silent yet renowned,
Nhuệ Giang embraces the moon, making it a shared treasure,
Phúc’s Bánh Đa proudly stands as a local specialty.
Tam Chúc area has become a Halong Bay of the land,
With rice cakes in the afternoon and the Floating House at the river’s confluence,
The Rô fish soup in the morning glows in the red light,
Hot steamed cakes by the Hồng Phú Bridge.
This land is beautiful, fertile, and prosperous,
With rows of areca nut trees casting shadows along the river,
Where the lime smeared betel leaves are shyly handed over,
And the bond of love blooms, strong in the motherland’s soil.
By: Phan Quang Khuê


4. Ha Nam, My Beloved Homeland!!!
The rice fields of Phủ Lý, my homeland,
Find my hometown through the sweet melody of folk songs,
The drum beats of chèo lift the rhythm of the tune,
While white herons glide gracefully as the evening falls.
The Đáy River flows, carrying silt from Kẽm Trống,
Its melody resonates across the water, echoing on both banks,
Ferries, moving back and forth, raise the waves in harmony,
And the winds blow strong, bringing gratitude from dawn till dusk.
The time of war and sorrow has passed,
The land once torn apart by constant battles,
But young men continued, steadfast in their march,
The blood stained the poor lands of Nguyễn Khuyến.
This is the land where Nam Cao wrote about Bá Kiến,
Where Trần Thương Temple brings together spiritual power,
The limestone mountains stand tall, guiding the way,
Cement flows to every corner, building a new future.
Bầu Market is filled with bustling stalls,
The Đại Hoàng village smells of Chuối Ngự,
Fighting against colonialism with the sound of “Bồ Đề Drum,”
At Mount Đọi, the Tịch Điền Festival welcomes the New Year.
At Bầu Temple, where the divine spirit lingers,
And the famous Bà Đanh Temple stands in solemn silence,
The Nhuệ Giang River embraces the moon, sharing its beauty,
The Phúc Bánh Đa stands proudly as a local treasure.
Tam Chúc has become a land-based Ha Long Bay,
With rice cakes served at the Floating House by the river's confluence,
The Rô fish soup glows brightly in the morning light,
Hot steamed cakes by the Hồng Phú Bridge.
This land is beautiful, rich, and fertile,
The areca nut trees cast their shadows along the riverbank,
Where lime-stained betel leaves are shyly exchanged,
And the bond of love flourishes, strong in the soil of the motherland.
By: Phan Quang Khuê


5. Visit Tam Chúc - Ha Nam
Like a fairyland on earth,
Tam Chúc - Ha Nam leaves visitors in awe,
Nature’s grandeur bestowed by the heavens,
A picturesque realm where the Buddha's spirit dwells.
The painting-like beauty is so naturally serene.
The pristine beauty of Tam Chúc Lake,
Legends of the past illuminate the area,
With tales of “Front Six Notes - Rear Seven Stars.”
The idyllic scenery exudes poetic charm,
“Mountains leaning against water” creates a graceful allure,
Mysterious forest flowers from ancient times,
The towering magnificence of the floating island.
It’s Ha Long on land, not far away,
Ha Nam, a land full of love and affection,
It captivates travelers, leaving them yearning,
Promising to return, to keep the love alive!
NMĐ


6. You’re Invited to Visit Ha Nam
Come, visit and stop by my hometown,
Through "Phu Ly", we reach the hill of "Ngoc Mountain",
Where birds and squirrels chirp endlessly,
"Ba Danh Temple" rises, when did it begin?
Look at the "Red River", its reflection tells a tale,
"Bá Kiến House" waits, "Làng Vũ Đại" in sight,
In "Kim Bảng", gentle girls with smiles,
Welcome, please visit "Trần Thương Temple".
For years, the temple has braved the sun and rain,
"Nha Xã" – where the silk threads of life weave,
Passing by "Câm Mountain", the huge statues stand tall,
"Đọi Tam Drum" echoes through millennia, a legacy of craftsmanship.
When we part, a lingering longing for the village,
"Tam Chúc area", we return to "Ngũ Động".
Visit "Kim Bảng", cruise through "Kẽm Trống".
Ha Nam, where the clouds dance gracefully in the sky.
Come, let’s enjoy and relax,
Breathing in the scent of rice, floating in the breeze.
Ha Nam, a land with the rhythm of ancient songs,
Where love lingers in the melody of time.
Chiều Tà


7. The Motherland of Ha Nam
Come, visit the motherland of Ha Nam,
Through Phu Ly, where beauty unfolds,
Generations have followed in steady footsteps,
A land of heroes, where legends once roamed.
Remember her graceful figure beneath the coconut trees,
On moonlit nights, the sound of folk songs yet to be sung.
We promised to meet in Ly Nhan,
At the landmark house near Trần Thương Temple.
Duy Tien, don’t forget the sweet voice of mother,
Thanh Liêm, where mist lingers, mysterious and deep.
Once, a meeting, now etched in my heart,
Love for Ha Nam, love for its people’s voice.
Let’s visit Bình Lục, where flowers bloom,
Then Kim Bảng, with its cool, gentle breeze.
Cảnh Sơn Temple, like a melody of the past,
Reminding us of deeds long remembered.
Lãnh Giang Temple, echoing calls through time,
Red River, don’t forget, it runs through us all.
Vũ Điện Temple, a place for all to visit,
To clear the grievances of a mother long ago.
Oh, how sorrowful, the story of a mother’s pain,
Who suffered so, while beauty bloomed by her side.
The glory she gave shines bright, lighting the future,
For her children to honor, with respect and love.
Lăng Temple, still standing after centuries,
Honoring the king who led during troubled times.
The heavens above, still watch over us all,
Revealing the truth of those who oppressed us.
How I love the music of the past,
The flowers bloom in the rain, while thunder roars.
Kẽm Trống, where the visitor’s steps are held,
Ha Nam, now marked in golden history.
Motherland, the legacy of heroes remains,
In the Historical Area, where mountains and valleys stretch far,
Spanning endless miles, where great men once thrived.
Author: Chiều Tà


8. Tam Chúc Pagoda
Whoever travels through Ha Nam,
Should stop and admire the stunning landscape...
The long river crosses waves, sails singing,
Mount Quyển in the south, gently paddling along,
Cliffs stretch and clouds unfold like phoenix wings,
The dragon lies coiled, clutching the hanging moon.
The beauty remains, from Thi Sơn land,
The temple mountain still holds memories of old,
High hills and wide caves, shining bright,
The ancient temple roof, standing tall amid the green bamboo.
The river winds, a circle around...
Oh, River Đáy, today I return,
The sails of fairy tales are now gone, carrying sorrow,
You carried the color of ripe mulberries across the river,
On a day when the waters were dry and still,
And I only found white corn husks on the banks.
I remember your dress, slipping off at the quiet quay, beneath an old moon.
The snow falls, the smile blooms,
Within the flower, there is snow, within me, there is bloom,
The snow is vast, endless,
Snow, people, flowers, dreams—just snow drifting away.
In the heart of Long-Xà, I once found shelter,
The waterfall roars, the monkeys sing all day,
Then, climbing the mountain top, I shouted,
A cry so cold, it pierced the sky.
- Collected -


9. Poem about Ha Nam's Specialties
To those traveling from North to South,
Come visit Ha Nam and experience its charm.
Phủ Lý’s rice rolls, golden with flavor,
Soft, thin, and delicate, stopping you in your tracks.
Bún Tái Kênh, with fine white strands,
The fermented fish from Bình Lục, a true delight.
Come and try the bún cá rô,
A rustic dish from harvest days, unforgettable.
Vũ Đại’s blackened fish stew,
Best served with rice, you’ll crave it, too.
Kiện Khê’s famous bánh đa,
Enjoy it with Vọch wine... and you’ll be in bliss.
Ly Nhân’s sweet pomelo,
Refreshing and sweet on hot midday days.
Đại Hoàng bananas, beloved by royalty,
Famous for centuries, still enjoyed today.
Nhân Hậu’s large seedless rose apples,
Sweet and fragrant, leaving you craving more.
Simple, yet cherished dishes from the people,
Now they are Ha Nam’s specialties, a true taste of home.
Come visit Ha Nam, enjoy the food,
And don’t forget to bring some as gifts!
Poem by: Thao Minh


10. Ha Nam, My Homeland
Oh, the beloved Đáy River,
The confluence at Hồng Phú, a nostalgic sight.
Like water remembering its source,
Love like the bond between body and soul.
The river winds, shifting between banks,
But who can separate the love of Hà Nam’s people?
In Kim Bảng, under the moonlit sky,
Drink with the mountain stones amidst a sea of flowers.
In Bình Lục, once you visit,
Your heart will be filled with poetic love.
In Thanh Liêm, the fragrance of quỳnh blooms at night,
While people and flowers wait for the dawn.
In Lí Nhân, where Đại Hoàng bananas grow,
Echoes of Chí Phèo and Thị Nở drift by, like the dreams of Nam Cao.
In Duy Tiên, pride fills the air,
As the economy develops, moving towards the future.
And in Phủ Lí, on a quiet evening,
One remembers, gazing at the gentle light.
Hà Nam, the land that ties love together, forever.
- Collected by -


