1. Vinh Phuc, Land of Poetry
Those who visit Vinh Phuc's land of poetry
Will hear the wind blowing dreams, so vivid
The gentle lullaby of a mother's voice
Guiding sleep and leading the path of poetry
Those who arrive in the springtime
Will be welcomed by the majestic Bình Sơn tower
The sun blends with the drifting kites
And swallows soar, professing their love across the sky
Those who greet the morning light
Will marvel at the beauty of Tam Dao, their homeland
The pine hills, veiled in thick mist
Reveal a fairyland, as if the heavens themselves had come down
Those who visit Trúc Lâm Zen Monastery
Will chant sutras, meditate, and find peace
Heading towards a serene realm
Where Tây Thiên reigns, soothing all fears
Those who go to Đại Lải's shores
Will glide on a boat through the crystal-clear lake
Lost in the view, not wanting to leave
Wishing for a second chance to return
After traveling many miles
Now Vinh Phuc stands proud as a friend
With tales of my journey, I tell you
Everywhere you go, friends will gather to celebrate together.
- Collected -


2. I Return to Tam Dao
I return to Tam Dao this morning
The bus winds through the winding clouds
The steep roads, the bus climbs slowly
All I see around me are the hills and slopes
Suddenly, the clouds fade away
The bus stops at the summit… how beautiful it is!
The midday sun hesitates
Shining through the clouds that just passed by
There’s mist and smoke floating gently
My eyes are filled with wonder, as if in a dream
The sunlight breaks through the mist
The hills and mountains lean down to a grassy flowered edge
The houses nearby are nestled close
Dotting the hills like mushroom-shaped blooms
The green vines spread, lush and vibrant
Nature paints a perfect picture of sky and land
I return to Tam Dao with you
Listening to the stream flowing under the drifting clouds.
- Nguyen Lam Thang -


3. I Return to My Homeland
Will you visit Vinh Phuc, my homeland?
Where Tam Dao is veiled in mist and clouds
With a Zen monastery in the midst of the winds
And the Red River's floodplain stretching far.
Come here and feel the spirit of this land
My homeland, once full of fiery struggles
Where the echoes of history still resound
And heroes like Nguyen Viet Xuan are remembered.
Visit the small city that never sleeps
Vinh Yen, vibrant and ever-changing
Phuc Yen, rising with anticipation
Where prosperity and beauty grow like a painted flower.
Take a trip to Dai Lai and Xuan Hoa
Where the wind and waves play together
And the lake has been here since time began
Welcoming travelers from near and far.
The people of my homeland, with hearts full of warmth
Once you visit, you'll never forget.
- Dai Trang -


4. Vinh Yen
Vinh Yen, I return to you once more
Remembering the years, full of joy and sorrow
The boat glides across the moonlit Dam Vac
As spring fills the air and the trees come alive.
Along the quiet path, leaves rustle
Carrying memories, both old and new
Oh, how it’s been thirty long years
Since the old streets, the long nights, and the cold mist.
Tonight, the old streets seem to come alive
The voices of friends and family fill the air
Warmth returns to the once stony road
And Vinh Yen's spirit fills my soul...
- Nguyen Bui Voi -


5. Will You Visit My Homeland, Vinh Phuc?
Will you come to the land of my homeland,
To stroll through the misty, ethereal air?
The sky and earth, alive with the gentle fragrance of Tam Dao,
Filling the soul with shades of green and peace.
Come visit the Hương Canh pottery village,
Where you will discover the beauty of the Vietnamese soul,
In every curve and pattern, the culture runs deep.
Return to this land, seek out the wonders of the great forest,
The serene Xạ Hương Lake, where the fairy rests.
The pine trees hum a peaceful lullaby,
And the lake never runs dry, regardless of the season.
Come to this place, where you’ll find tranquility
At the foot of Bình Sơn tower – a land of fairy tales,
Where ancient memories emerge from the past,
As if time has never left its mark.
Or visit the mystical Điển Triệt Lake,
And explore nature’s hidden wonders,
Listen to the echoes of history,
And learn of the bravery of this land.
Let me take you to the Rưng Marsh,
Where the winds and waters gently play,
Walk barefoot across the sandy shores,
And inhale the intoxicating fragrance of blooming lotus flowers.
And did you know the most special thing here?
It’s the warmth and hospitality of the people of Vinh Phuc,
Always ready to welcome you back home.
- Collected -


6. My Hometown, Bac Binh
The rural areas are thriving,
With pride, I call out to Bac Binh!
Endless drops of sweat have nourished
The fields that now soar high in the sky.
How much love, how much pride,
For the land where our ancestors rose to fight,
Shattering chains and prisons,
Where the homeland proudly waves the yellow flag.
Now, history is being written anew,
Our people's will aligns with the party’s vision,
Spring comes with blossoms bright,
And the sound of bamboo flutes fills the evening air.
The new countryside brings many benefits,
Today, not tomorrow,
For life is short,
And we must work together to build our homeland.
This is our land, this is Bac Binh,
Where the forests and tea hills have given way,
To services, industries, and development,
With electricity, roads, schools, and stations all flourishing.
The community center is even livelier,
With volleyball games and friendly competitions,
Every evening, the sound of laughter fills the air,
As villages come together in joyful exchange.
Though life may not be perfect yet,
It is far better than it was before.
If you are far from home,
And you’ve weathered storms and hardships, come back.
- Ha Anh Tuan -


7. Dreamy Dai Lai
Dai Lai, a land of dreams,
Where writers create beside the tranquil lake.
Just a stone's throw from the capital,
The shadow of an airplane reflects on the crystal-clear waters.
On summer days, we welcome you,
To enjoy the emerald waters and lush green hills.
Many hotels offer a peaceful retreat,
On Ngoc Island, where birds chirp in the air.
Take a boat to explore the surrounding mountains,
With VIP groups entranced by the beauty.
Golf courses and scenic spots await,
Close to the waters, a relaxing experience!
Couples and groups alike will enjoy,
As they explore the tranquil waters and cool breeze.
From Tây Thiên to Tam Đảo,
Surrounded by mist and autumn moonlight.
(*The summer sun shines like a mid-autumn moon)
Vinh Phuc, May 25, 2023
Poetry by: Duc Dung


8. Vinh Phuc in My Heart
Yearning for the dreams that fade away
The Milky Way intoxicated by the moon, so full of love,
Wandering through the invisible winds and clouds,
Vinh Yen's lonely streets echo with solitude.
In Tam Dao, the mist embraces the soul,
Flowers intoxicated by the fragrance of tears.
Dreams fade as the heart is weighed down,
My eyes lost in the morning sun of Vinh Tuong.
Grief lingers in the land of Tam Duong,
Where trees bear fruit with both joy and sorrow.
As evening falls over Yen Lac,
Don’t forget to gather the falling dusk.
The willow steps softly through the wind,
And the verses of Lap Thach recall the memories of Binh Xuyen.
The misty lake and the forest dreams of a hidden land,
The Song Lo River still holds the power of a love unbroken.
In the morning, the smoke of flowers rises,
Phuc Yen still stands, though Mê Linh is far behind.
The light of late night seems to fall like moonbeams,
While the stars in my eyes leave the world uncertain.
Those who journey through mountains and forests still wait,
Like a boat searching for a shore, like poetry seeking rhyme.
The fragrance of coconut wine and the sweet fish,
The gentle pleasure of sorrow’s intoxication.
Where has the old one gone?
What remains is a tale of separation, tinged with melancholy.
The green moss clings to the footsteps of time,
As autumn's gold and winter's pale white fade the eyelashes.
The cradle rocks to the mother's lullaby,
A lifetime of sweet and bitter moments.
If you come to Vinh Phuc tonight,
Let me send you a bit of autumn’s chilly breath,
And hear the song that stirs the soul of this land,
For my heart has fallen in love with this place.
Phan Thanh Long


9. Returning to Vinh Phuc
Returning to visit Vinh Phuc amidst the vast Tam Vac marshes,
Returning to Vinh Phuc on an afternoon at the Tay Thien Pagoda,
We recall our journey to Vinh Yen, heading to Tam Dao,
Every moment, every change, painted in new hues.
Delighting in this ancient land, the Tich Son region of the past,
Let’s go back to Vinh Phuc, fulfilling our heartfelt desires.
Written by: Dan Huyen


10. Vinh Phuc, My Hometown
He promised to return to Vinh Phuc, my homeland,
The Tam Dao forest gently waits for old friends.
Our diary will embrace the memories,
As we share the first blossoming of our love.
Summer turns, but the cicadas are silent,
The sun weaves through leaves, and love lingers unfulfilled.
Why does my heart speak of love so deeply,
When innocence and shyness still stir my soul?
Hiding love behind tears, my lips bittersweet,
Longing for the first bud to bloom.
We promised never to let this love fade,
But the winds changed, and my heart shattered.
A half-spoken vow kept me waiting,
Vinh Phuc, oh how it aches my heart.
Is it a dream or reality that I chase,
The girl who forever remains etched in my soul?
The Silver Stream plays upon the stones,
The Mother’s Temple watches through tearful eyes.
Saint Tran’s gentle presence fills the air,
And the door to the Temple of the Maiden slowly opens.
The Temple of the Son embraces my yearning,
While the ancient riverside is filled with longing.
A love so intense in memories far away,
Untouched by time, but heavy with the weight of affection.
Lake Dai Lai seems distant, dreaming of sunlight,
The worn paths wait in quiet anticipation.
Under the evening light, sorrow lingers in the air,
The Truc Lam Mai Dao Temple bathed in a soft glow.
The beautiful flower village of Me Linh stretches far,
The pottery kilns of Huong Canh, a timeless legacy.
Ba Vi Mountain waits for you, dear one,
Don’t break the promise, please don’t break the promise.
Author: Nguyen Thai Co


