1. Listening to the Folk Song of Home
Remembering the days on the fiery land of Quang Binh
Listening to the gentle folk song, warm with the love of the land
The song follows me through all the passing days
Oh, how the melody resonates, full of passion and depth
Walking on the sunlit sand dunes
Hearing the song, my heart grows even fonder
The fire of hatred burns deep within, carrying the weight of a shared struggle
Oh, homeland, how I long to shed a tear for you
Turning my face to the South, my heart aches with pain
Listening to the song, tears fill my eyes
On both sides, how intense the feelings are
Thinking of my mother’s voice, the sorrowful folk song
The land of Quang Binh embraces its beloved child
Listening to the song, it makes me yearn for my mother’s homeland
The quiet, sorrowful melody of the south
For there, the battlefield remains harsh
Listening to the folk song, I remember with longing
The melody, the rhythm of my homeland
Will there come a day when we can reunite?
So that the folk song can join with the galloping horse's pace.
Van Phong


2. Come to Quang Binh with Me
Come with me to Quang Binh, the land of white sands
Where the air is filled with the scent of the salty sea breeze
The Nhat Le River sings a love song
As golden rice fields shimmer and storks fly at dusk
Come with me in the busy harvest season
The breeze carries the fragrant scent of early summer
In the summer days, we catch snails and crabs
The golden sun dances as the winds whisper softly
Come with me in the cool autumn season
The blue sea harmonizes with the sweet melodies
Under the sky, the waves crash in rhythm
Sending my hopes to the vast sea
You will see something quite strange
The sadness carried away by the waves
Come to my homeland, where my mother’s love is vast
With open arms, she welcomes her child back home!
Come with me during the legendary full moon nights
On the moonlit riverbank, like a distant memory awaiting
On the Nhat Le nights, hearts are filled with longing
When we are apart, the waiting grows ever stronger!
Poem: Hong Linh


3. Quang Binh, My Homeland
Traveling through the Truong Son range to save the nation
Passing through Quang Binh, soldiers march on
The South moves closer day by day
Hoping for the victorious Spring, the time of triumph
United, we fight to defeat the enemy
The joy of North and South, united as one
Quang Binh, the land of our ancestors
Revitalizing life with the bright sunshine
Far from Yen Island, the air is cool and fresh
The trees hum a lullaby for the People
The fragrant incense fills the evening air
Decades later, the words still echo
The beautiful scenery of the caves in the mountains
Sơn Đòong, I remember our first moments
The people continue to follow each other
With steps that enrich this homeland
The Ngang Pass, where vows are kept
Old verses that remain etched in our hearts
Watching the sunset over the horizon
Quang Binh, our homeland, I love you even more.
Author: Bang Lang Tim


4. Will You Come to Quang Binh with Me?
Will you come to Quang Binh with me?
A land where storms rage and the winds blow fiercely.
The tales of the past still live on here.
Where mothers row their boats, ferrying soldiers across the river.
Will you come to Quang Binh with me?
Where the river flows with cool, refreshing water.
The lush green fields and the villages blooming with life.
The fields stretch toward the future, full of hope.
Quang Binh, always waiting for someone to return.
The river snakes its way, winding tirelessly.
The Son River takes you to explore the caves.
Such beauty, as if living in a land of the gods.
Hand in hand, let’s visit this beautiful land.
The ancient city embraces the clouds, dancing with the sea breeze.
My love, let’s go to the peaceful Yen Island together.
The sky, the clouds, and the mountains, as if from a fairy tale.
Where Uncle Giap rests, in the land of his mother.
Now, you’ve come to my homeland.
The village scene is as beautiful as Quang Binh itself.
The silver sea, golden forests, and the sparkling city.
The people, kind-hearted and full of love.
With every visit, there’s a token of affection.
The poems, forever cherished in our hearts.
Poem by Phan Dinh Thuoc.
5. 5.2023.


5. Come Visit Quang Binh
Will you come to Quang Binh with me?
My homeland, with its endless fields of rice
The aroma of ripe rice fills the air
Echoing songs of love that stir the heart
Come and visit the vast sugarcane gardens
Under the golden sun, a deep green expanse
Even the white storks pause to rest their wings
Isn’t this countryside landscape just beautiful?
The Nhật Lệ River flows with clear, pure waters
Carrying memories of the war against the Americans
Mother Suốt’s name is etched in history
Day and night, she ferried soldiers across the river
Despite the enemy planes flying overhead
She stood strong, unwavering in the river’s current
The people of Quang Binh, how lovable they are
Both the past and today’s generations
I feel proud, my eyes welling up
My homeland, ever-changing, always new
Come and see the city of Dong Hoi
With its fresh, modern houses by the sea
The people live contented, peaceful lives
Children laugh, playing in the seaside breeze
The kites soar high, dancing in the sky
Anyone who visits will long remember this place
In the summer, the sky is clear, without a cloud
Beneath the shade of the old tamarind tree, flowers fall
I remember the quiet afternoons as a student
The sweet scent of sunlight filling the air, falling on my clothes
Come, there’s no need to be shy
Accept my invitation, won’t you?
My words are sweet, soft, and kind
With a gentle nature, cheerful, and wise
When I first met you, I already felt a connection
Come, join me in Quang Binh, together we’ll explore.
Author: Nguyễn Hát
26/5/2023


6. Come to Quang Binh with Me
Come back to Quang Binh with me,
Where you once formed a deep connection.
All these years, my heart still holds on to the memories,
The land and its people forever etched in my soul.
Come back and visit Quang Trach with me,
Take the familiar route to Vung Chua, Yen Island.
It’s where our beloved Uncle Ho once walked,
And his noble deeds will be remembered forever.
In this place, your feet won’t want to leave,
Where the Nhật Lệ River reflects Mother’s image,
Ferrying soldiers through danger, night and day,
The monument will stand as a lasting tribute.
Do you remember where the Gianh ferry once was?
Now a mighty bridge spans the river,
Its history engraved in the annals of time,
Defying bombs and bullets with resilience.
Let me show you Xuân Sơn ferry’s dock,
Where traces of old bomb craters remain.
Then we’ll visit Phong Nha Cave, a place of refuge,
And the road south still carries the memories of those days.
Come with me to Cự Nẫm,
A resting place during the war with the Americans,
Where people offered their homes and shelters
So we could march on to the south to fight for freedom.
Let me take you to hear the Kiến Giang folk songs,
That still resonate deeply in my heart.
The winds of Đại Phong carry the stories of old,
And the song of Quang Binh will always stay with me.
Today, Dong Hoi shines like a painting,
The green beach and the waves dance together.
Walking beside you, my heart longs for home,
My hair flying in the breeze as I gaze after you.
The tamarind trees sway with the ocean breeze,
Once, our homeland was poor and dark,
But now with the Party leading the way,
Quang Binh rises proudly, brighter than ever.
Author: Vũ Xuân Hòe


7. I Will Return to Quang Binh with You
I will return to the homeland of Quang Binh with you.
Listen to the evening songs along the Nhat Le River,
Where Mother Suot once fought against the Americans,
Rowing the boat to carry soldiers across the river.
Will you let me return to Quang Binh with you?
We will visit the Thach Han River,
Though not from Quang Binh's land,
My friends rest below the river’s surface.
We light incense to honor the fallen heroes,
To remember those who rest in peace there,
Where my comrades lie in quiet sleep,
So that this land remains beautiful throughout the year.
May children play freely, filled with joy,
As corn and rice grow lush and green,
And houses rise like mushrooms from the ground,
While the pride of their blood runs deep within my friends.
I will return to Quang Binh with you,
We will visit the statue of Mother Suot,
And bow our heads in reverence, wishing her peace,
May she rest forever in peace.
We will visit the Mia Nong Tam field,
And explore the caves of Son River,
Phong Nha is as beautiful as the clouds in the sky,
With the stunning Tiensong cave.
Hand in hand, we will walk through this enchanting city,
Dong Hoi, where the sea breeze caresses the sky,
Let’s visit the newly built square,
To take a photo and forever remember the day President visited.
Quang Binh, 5th May 2023.
By: Chuyen Nguyen.
Inspired by the works of Vu Xuan Hoe.


8. To Your Homeland, Quang Binh
The land of white sand, so endearingly beautiful,
Oh, beloved Quang Binh, it's been so long,
Walking across bridges in your hometown,
The Nhat Le River imprints deep memories within me.
Is it fate that binds us so strongly?
So now, love blossoms anew,
Watching the sunset over the white sandy lands,
Where I see my mother’s shadow swaying in the breeze.
Oh, girl with a graceful figure and rosy cheeks,
How many nights I have waited longingly for you,
Now that I'm home, let's fulfill our dreams,
And walk together on the riverbanks of our mother’s homeland.
Quang Binh, oh, how I love you so,
Your love is a bond I can't bear to break,
You guide me to visit the elders in their homes,
And we vow to strengthen the love between us.
At the parting moment, my steps are slow and reluctant,
Under the pale moonlight, I think of our future,
Our love is simple, free from greed or wealth,
As long as we're together, that's all that matters.
Memories of a Loving Season
Poetry by: Truong Hoai Thien


9. A Visit to General Vo Nguyen Giap
This afternoon, I return to pay respects to Uncle.
The rows of casuarina trees cast their shadows, their fragrance drifting through the air,
The mangrove trees bend as the waves crash and break,
At Vung Chua, Yen Island, where the waves blend and call to our Father.
Embracing Uncle, a thousand flowers bloom,
Quang Binh, Uncle's homeland, vast and filled with love,
For a thousand years, the land of Vietnam, where Dragons and Fairies roam,
The people will always remember and honor his legacy.
Oh Vietnam, our beloved Motherland!
The sea lulls the waves to sing him to sleep,
General Vo Nguyen Giap will endure forever,
His monument stands, shining, as the eternal light of our land.
Nguyen Xuan Dai
Member of the Vietnamese Poetry Club


10. The Stunning Beauty of Quang Binh
Is there any place like Quang Binh?
After the war, American bombs left destruction in their wake,
But now it’s a sight to behold,
The cool coastal city of Dong Hoi at night.
By day, the boats glide along the Son River,
Ferries travel in and out of the caves,
A vast and beautiful region, Ke Bang,
Home to some of the world’s most breathtaking caves.
The tomb of General Giap is constantly surrounded by incense,
As the people of Vietnam honor his legacy,
The ten defeated generals bow their heads in respect,
Visiting Quang Binh… where beauty surrounds you everywhere.
Nguyen Thanh Binh
Ha Tinh, 5th May 2023


