1. FAITH IN VICTORY!
Poem by Lê Mỹ Hường
Do you hear
The familiar song
“Hanoi, a city full of faith, love, and hope”
still echoes proudly
during these turbulent times
as we fight the global pandemic against the “Sars-Covid-2” virus?
Do you hear
The heartfelt lyrics
“Hanoi, a heart filled with love”
Millions of heroic sons and daughters of Vietnam
are uniting, standing together
to push back against the COVID-19 pandemic.
My dear,
This battle may last longer than we expect,
But the faith in our victory has never wavered.
Countless unsung heroes among the doctors
braving danger to save lives,
Countless volunteers, police officers, and soldiers standing side by side with the people,
fearlessly working in the most dangerous areas,
The hearts of the Vietnamese people are sincere,
sharing everything from their hearts to their hands!
My dear,
Let’s be the smart citizens we should be,
Carefully think before we press the enter button,
Like, share, or post status updates,
Because we may unintentionally fuel the rise of negativity...
How beautiful our Hanoi is,
I believe that tomorrow,
The streets will bloom with flags and flowers, shining brightly,
Countless vibrant flowers will bloom in full color,
Children will joyfully carry their schoolbags,
The streets will be bustling with business once again,
Tourism will rejoice with new visitors...
In the golden sunlight of Hanoi,
We will feel more faith, more love for our country!
My dear,
Let’s patiently wait
“Stay safe when the homeland needs us”
And unite, stand together with Hanoi,
Tomorrow,
We will welcome a fresh, beautiful new day.
My dear!
March 19, 2020

2. Faith
Poem by Phạm Thị Hồng Thu
Hanoi, thousands of years of kindness, resilience
To keep the lake of Hoan Kiem forever shining with pink hues
To make your eyes reflect the deep longing of the lake
To keep people longing to be together forever.
What does the cruelty of COVID mean
When faith within us always prevails
The small joys we gather together
Living with responsibility for ourselves and for our beloved homeland.
Let’s push away the many contradictory rumors
Let’s nurture the seeds of hope
Believe, never give up
COVID will be defeated, Hanoi will remain green and thriving.
Hanoi, oh Hanoi, faith will reign supreme!

3. THE CORONA FLU
Poem by Nguyễn Thị Khánh Hà
Spring had just arrived at the doorstep,
The flu has spread far and wide,
Bringing sorrow and worry
To the people of Vietnam.
Remind everyone to be aware,
To stay cautious and prevent trouble,
Don’t believe in rumors,
Especially those circulating online.
We all need to stay sharp,
Listening to the news on TV and radio,
Don’t let fake news
Cause unnecessary panic.
Don’t be startled
If face masks become more expensive,
Due to some selfish individuals
Taking advantage of the situation.
But all around us, there are still many good people,
Distributing free face masks,
So there’s no need to worry...
We’ve overcome
Many flu outbreaks before,
And we will overcome this one too,
So don’t overthink it.
Avoid crowded places,
Eat and rest well,
The flu will pass,
And spring will return...

4. HANOI IN MY HEART
Poem by Đinh Thị Hiển
How can I ever forget Hanoi from those days...
Hanoi, that place, evokes love and warmth,
A place full of memories,
The train station, the pier, the evening I cherished.
Oh, I miss! The days of coming and going,
Waiting for the tram, hearing the train’s whistle.
Oh, I miss! The moments spent together,
Sitting by the lake, losing track of time.
Letting our spirits wander in the gentle breeze,
Time flies by, but our love grows stronger.
True love is pure and beautiful,
With ice cream, peanuts, and eyes full of affection.
Forget the charming willow trees,
And the playful teasing...on an afternoon filled with warmth.
By chance...he kissed my lips,
Like a seal of fate...and we became one.
Hanoi back then was peaceful,
Its beauty was a gift from nature.
The people of Hanoi, so sincere,
Smart and refined, who wouldn’t love them?
Hanoi today is very different,
Busy, modern, more beautiful than before,
But COVID-19 dared to come,
Bringing sadness and distress.
Hanoi, stay strong,
Believe in an extraordinary victory, just like before.
Hanoi will always be beautiful in the rain,
Beautiful in the sunshine, and in the coming autumn.
Hanoi, full of charm,
Spring rain softly falling, love filling the air,
Hanoi will always shine...
March 17, 2020

5. PROUD OF VIETNAM
Poem by Nguyễn Văn Ruyến
This Earth is so beautiful, filled with life,
Little ones chirping like birds in the sky,
The sun rises, and they rush off to class,
Morning smiles greet friends, teachers, all alike.
Football rolls, the flag’s colors shine bright,
The crowd roars, shaking the stadium with their might,
The travel paths are busy, boats setting sail,
Handing out the gift of a landscape fairytale.
All around, creativity thrives with hard work,
Building a better life, where dreams don’t shirk,
The sea of commerce bustling in a busy trade,
Money and goods exchanged, hopes brightly laid.
Suddenly, a crash, the sound of Corona's wrath,
Spinning the Earth into a crisis path,
A battle with no weapons, no visible fight,
Yet danger lurks, and bombs threaten our night.
This battle, the world fights as one team,
Against COVID-19, with no room to scream,
But somewhere, deep down, a pride remains,
Resilience, cleverness, a true Vietnam claim.
We assess the danger, it’s equal for all,
The nation calls, united standing tall,
Centuries of wisdom, binding us in peace,
We declare: disease and war, both must cease.
Taking the lead, the white-blues at the front,
Determined spirits in a life-or-death hunt,
The COVID beast with dark magic at play,
It took much to stop it, but here we stay.
If left unchecked, it would spread like fire,
So we act with conscience, hearts that never tire,
Lockdowns to stop the virus’ reach,
Victory ringing loud, lessons we teach.
The Golden Star flag cleanses the air,
The world bows, a salute to show we care,
The ancients taught, every river has a bend,
A foolish pest can break a pot but will end.
With steady hands, this feels like war,
The country braces, for the new encore,
We remain loyal to the cause of the revolution,
And the government leads with constant resolution.
Phuc and Dam unite, bringing strength together,
The people follow orders, no matter the weather,
Optimism strong, we wait for no fate,
In Vietnam, we dance the “Handwashing” debate.
Sharing as a foundation, our morals grow,
Calmness, the key to life’s sweetest flow,
This battle is long, but we will prevail,
For we are certain, victory is our tale.
The Vietnamese, humble and true,
The world will admire what we do,
The UN will sing of our glorious song,
In unity, we stand, for the weak and the strong.
Our children will sing their songs at school,
Festivals will bloom in the warm sunshine's rule,
The stadiums will cheer, as waves crash and roar,
Tourist ships will sail, with joy on every shore.
The world trades, enriching its wealth,
Brides will smile, a sign of great health,
And in that moment, amidst the blooming flowers,
There stands the pride of Vietnam, shining bright as the hours.
Ninh Bình, 12.03.2020

6. HOÀ BÌNH CITY
Written by: Nguyễn Thị Hồng Hạnh
Hanoi, the city of peace,
A thousand years of culture, loyalty, and grace,
Once a land of warriors brave and bold,
Now united in fighting the COVID story untold.
Old and young, together they strive,
Reminding each other to stay strong, to survive,
Though isolation keeps us apart,
Stay calm and joyful, for this too shall depart.
Oh Hanoi, it's March, a testing time,
In the face of COVID, let all be mindful, and keep in line.
If you feel short of breath, fever or cough,
Be truthful and report it, so prevention can take off.
Everyone’s united, hearts steadfast and true,
With strength and solidarity, we’ll see this through.
COVID-19, let’s put it to rest,
And Hanoi will raise the red flag, proud and blessed.
We love Hanoi, Thăng Long,
Alongside the nation, we long for the day when it’s gone.
COVID shall fade, and we will cheer,
As the world joins in harmony, with joy and cheer.
12/3/2020

7. I LOVE HANOI...
Poem by Trần Lộc
In the midst of the storm, why rush to judge what's right or wrong?
The flood is rising, we must act to build dams.
Hold strong, never let go of our resolve.
Together we stand, treating the virus like an enemy.
Hanoi stands firm, day by day, weathering the storm.
Covid spreads from every direction, East and West.
Variants emerge, spreading faster and further,
At ports, airports, homestays, and hotels.
The world faces this, not just Vietnam.
Late-night meetings, the leadership works tirelessly.
Infections rise, warnings grow louder.
The people take to the streets, undeterred by danger.
For the country, mother, I must go,
To care for the COVID patients in quarantine.
The medical student, Thảo An, seeks permission,
To face death, as March unfolds its beauty.
Shame fills me when I see the complaints,
Of those in quarantine, facing hardship and lack.
Eyes sting, as some try to escape,
Fourteen days to stop the virus from spreading.
Hanoi, my beloved city, stands strong and proud,
Still innocent amidst the sea of white Sưa flowers.
The willows sway beside the poetic West Lake,
Still vibrant, elegant, with noble grace.
The virus will pass... Oh, March was so hard,
COVID will be defeated, it won't last forever.
Only the love of humanity will remain through time,
Our peaceful capital... the pride of Vietnam.
Hải Lộc. 13.3.2020

8. HANOI IN THE CORONA SEASON
Poem by Nguyễn Đình Hưng
Hanoi has long been famous,
Unlike the UK, Italy, or South Korea.
Why then did COVID spread here?
Maybe, it's just your time to fall.
In March, the city is full of vibrant colors,
The scent of pomelo fills the air in every garden,
Ban flowers and white Sưa trees line the streets,
But COVID surrounds, blocking every exit.
To prevent the spread, people avoid crowds,
Studying online is successful, people adapt.
Online meetings happen when needed,
We keep our personal space clean, and the community safe.
The government and organizations are reliable,
Quarantine measures are strict, preparations in place.
People report honestly, working together,
With strategic containment, success is assured.
Gạo flowers, Xoan flowers—red and purple wave to the city,
They greet Hanoi with love and care.
Health and happiness await with the arrival of summer,
When the virus ends, life will bloom again.
Hanoi, 13/3/2020

9. THE COVID-19 SEASON
Poem by Sơn Nữ
Schools are empty because of COVID,
The corners of old streets are desolate,
In March, the pandemic wreaks havoc,
Food supplies in the capital quickly run out.
Orders are issued, restrictions are set,
Imported masks are hard to find for the poor.
Health authorities predict the worst,
Airlines close, planes are empty.
Oh, the pandemic spreads uncontrollably,
From across the border, devastation follows.
We hope the virus will soon disappear,
And life will return to normal, with teachers calling the roll.
14 - 3 - 2020

10. YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW
Poem by Hồng Soi
The danger of COVID spreads far and wide,
The pandemic has engulfed the whole world.
Pain upon pain, humanity yearns for a miracle to overcome this.
Alas! The young and the old,
Live in constant fear of the lurking shadow.
Thousands have lost their lives,
Separated from loved ones by COVID's grip.
The government is concerned for the people,
Holding press conferences late into the night,
Determined to quarantine the suspected,
Spending whatever it takes for the people's safety.
The healthcare workers are doing their best,
But they cannot stop the spread of this deadly virus.
The economy is in decline, desolate,
Schools are closed, and streets are eerily quiet.
Health is precious, we must cherish it,
Don't take it lightly, or disaster will strike.
Masks fill the streets,
Social distancing is the new norm to protect us.
Why? Why do some boldly ignore the law,
Falsely declare their health status, lie without remorse?
COVID is a stubborn and unkind strain,
It spares no one, taking whoever it can.
The future is uncertain,
For the sake of ourselves and the country, we continue to dream.
Prevention is key, we must not be careless,
You reap what you sow – that’s the natural law.
13.03.2020

11. EMPTY STREETS
Poem by Nguyễn Trường
The streets are empty, no cars, no people,
Children indoors, glued to screens,
Small shops with doors tightly shut,
Through the trees, clouds stretch far into the sky.
The silence in the streets is created by us,
Quarantining against COVID - truly wise,
Determined, thorough, and safe,
Fighting, preventing, healing – Vietnam leads the way.
The virus spreads across the globe,
From humans, animals, cars, ships, and planes.
Breathing, hugging, shaking hands,
Are environments where it spreads, taking lives.
The world isolates, everywhere you look,
Hundreds of thousands infected, thousands lost...
But Vietnam acted swiftly, without delay,
Stopping it at the root, preventing widespread outbreaks.
With the right treatments and protocols,
Doctors are kind, loving, and caring,
Technology and machines play their part,
Uniting the world in the fight against the disease.
In the past, our ancestors
Defended their land with wit and courage,
Building strongholds and fortifications,
To unify the country, and bring freedom and peace.
We pray for the safety of the Vietnamese people,
That humanity will overcome this pandemic,
May the streets and villages be lively once more,
With healthy people, ready to work and live in peace.

12. STAY ALERT
Poem by Hồng Ngoãn
The disease seems to keep spreading,
Everywhere, discussions are happening.
No one is spared, from the lowly to the high,
No one is exempt, no matter their position.
Remember to prevent the spread, avoid gatherings,
Don’t forget to protect yourself, don’t speak recklessly,
The capital fights hard to stop the virus,
Only when COVID is defeated can we find peace.

13. SILENCE OF THE COVID SEASON
Poem by Trịnh Thanh Hằng
The bell tolls in silence,
As the COVID pandemic sweeps through once more.
The world, once peaceful, now faces sorrow,
Who has sown this fate, a painful lesson to learn.
Silently, a boat drifts across the river,
Waiting for passengers who never come.
Hồ Tây and Văn Miếu, once bustling,
Now eerily quiet as COVID claims the streets.
Silence fills the laughter of children,
Once filled with joy, now still.
Classrooms have become homes,
Teachers, parents, and grandparents all become caregivers.
Silence falls over the factories,
Machines idle, workers without jobs.
Prices soar while wages plummet,
Instant noodles become a staple meal.
Silence reigns, no embraces to share,
Lovers long for peaceful days gone by.
Weddings occur in muted tones,
Gone are the grand celebrations and lively music.
Silence grips the empty theaters,
The peace we knew feels like a war.
Sports come to a halt as well,
The villain in this story, COVID, is to blame.
In the quiet, there is sorrow,
For a thousand years, we will curse you,
Injustice will not be forgotten,
Your cruelty will be repaid in time.
Silence lingers over the world,
But together, we will defeat the virus.
Tomorrow, the sky will shine brighter,
And the world will awaken with joy and laughter once again.

14. OH HOW I LOVE HÀ THÀNH
Poem by Nghi Lâm
I love you, so I adore Hà Nội,
Where four seasons bloom with vibrant flowers.
The Hoàn Kiếm Lake and ancient streets,
Stir the hearts of those who have been away!
But now, SARS-CoV-2 is causing havoc,
Disrupting the peace of Thăng Long's land.
The people of the capital must stand strong,
Protecting the ancient beauty of Hà Nội.
Among them, you stand with your team,
And the authorities are united in this fight.
Together, we shoulder the burden,
Determined to stop the spread of this disease.
So that lovers may meet again soon,
Under the blooming flowers of March.
The sưa and phoenix flowers will greet us,
As the warmth of summer arrives.
Hà Thành, my love for you will never fade,
For the memories that remain dear to my heart.
The streets and corners we hold dear,
So that I may have you, as I have always dreamed.
SARS-CoV-2 will soon be defeated,
Like a soap bubble that vanishes with a pop.
Our love will shine brightly again,
With happiness and passion, rekindled.
Together, we will share words filled with joy,
As we celebrate the end of the pandemic.
We embrace each other, warmly and emotionally,
With sweet, passionate kisses.
Sài Gòn and Hà Nội are now close,
Bound forever... by the fate of our love!

15. CORONA - ENOUGH NOW!
Poem by Trương Túy Anh
In the midst of spring's new dawn
Flowers bloom with vibrant hues
But here comes Corona's deadly song
Spreading sorrow, bringing the blues
The virus spreads far and wide
Across many provinces, it does creep
From children to the elderly's side
Corona visits, causing grief
Everyone has witnessed it firsthand
You're the third uninvited guest
Love and fate disrupted, unplanned
Separating hearts that once were blessed
Schools close, the halls are bare
The chalkboard still remembers the teacher's hand
The flame of the gao tree flickers there
Standing alone, in solitude, we stand
No more dates, no more sweet embrace
Lips once longing, now dry and cold
The lively streets are an empty space
The silence of despair, taking hold
But do not dream of victory yet
Corona travels across the land
But fear not, for we won't forget
Vietnam will rise, a united stand
13/3/2020

16. I LOVE HANOI!
Poem by Dương Quốc Nam
I love Hanoi, the capital so dear,
A thousand years of culture, shining bright,
Hanoi is strong, compassionate, clear,
But with Covid, it stands ready to fight.
Every day Hanoi battles the plague,
With swift checks, the community joins hands
Everyone is vigilant, united, not vague,
Promptly reporting, from all the lands.
Hanoi’s efforts are praised, never slow,
Against the disease, no negligence, no play,
Setting an example of responsibility to show,
The people’s grace spreads love every day.
Thang Long - Hanoi, shining bright,
With unwavering belief, the capital will stand tall.

17. MARCH IN HANOI
Poem by Bùi Minh Huế
In March, Hanoi greets the season of falling leaves
The sấu trees bow, shedding leaves softly, like whispers
The joyful but bittersweet melody plays in silence
The streets are cold, and hurried steps echo quietly
March in Hanoi is serene, too peaceful to describe
The sun remains warm, flowers blooming far and wide
Yet the school bell is silent, and no sound is heard
The children's voices have faded, their lessons deferred
So many dreams remain unspoken, drifting in the air
Our greetings are brief, exchanged with a glance and a prayer
Worries are concealed beneath layers of face masks
Will the March of disease ever fade, or is it asking too much?
Hanoi, don’t be fearful, don’t give in to distress
Let’s unite with love for our country, and do our best
Don’t hoard or worry, don’t waste precious time
Stay in the city, it’s better for peace to climb
Stay with us, don’t rush away from this fight
Live with respect, and care for what’s right
Wash your hands, avoid crowds, act with care
Just like the people of Tràng An, we’ll endure and share
March brings the golden sunshine, shining so bright
Hanoi’s heart beats, glowing in the morning light
The season of sickness will pass, and peace will arise
Hanoi will welcome calm, under peaceful skies!
Minh Huế

18. HANOI STAYS AWAKE WITH YOU
Poem by Nguyễn Lan Hương
Hanoi, are you awake tonight, my dear?
The streets seem to be deep in thought as well
The breeze whispers softly, like a secret near
Hanoi, keep going, Hanoi, don’t give up.
By West Lake, the waves continue their rhythmic call
The Trúc Bạch street shrinks in the face of hardship
All of Hanoi sends love to where it’s needed most
In these struggles, we come to understand each other better.
We gather strength once more after moments of anger
Hanoi forgives those who have faltered
We remind one another to be more patient
This pandemic, together, we shall overcome.
It’s not just for me, but for every home
I’ll stay inside more, just as you should
Wash hands often, use medical alcohol with care
If any symptoms show, call the doctor without delay.
We will get through these hard days together
And Hanoi will return to its peaceful self
Don’t be sad, even if tonight you stay awake
Hanoi and I will stay awake with you.
I still believe in the bright new day
We’ll walk together, enjoying the sunshine
Covid will retreat, and Hanoi will smile bright
We’ll remember tonight, Hanoi stayed awake with you!

19. THE WARRIORS IN WHITE COATS
Poem by Nguyễn Thị Hồng Hà
Are you well over there, my dear?
Without the worries of money, competition, or losing out
But lately, I hear people are fighting and hoarding
Stockpiling supplies just for themselves...
You welcomed those returning from the epidemic’s epicenter at dawn
To bring smiles that shine like the sun
Not only you, but the whole nation is trying
With a sense of duty to the community, not concerned about individual gain.
You told me how sad it makes you
When some prioritize personal interests above all
The fear of Covid is real, and so is its danger
But what’s more frightening—losing the compassion of mankind.
If only we all took a little less for ourselves
(Nothing too grand)
Then our country wouldn’t have to fight the pandemic
And battle the selfishness in the hearts of some.
Don’t ask me why, even at the front lines, I remain cheerful
It’s not because I’m a doctor
Even if I wasn’t, I’d still be hopeful like this
Dear one.
Being alive is a blessing
But not at the cost of living only for oneself...
When I return to the classroom after the break, I’ll share with the students
The simple, everyday things
About the work of the warriors
Wearing their white coats…!
Ha Nguyen, 13/3/20

20. HANOI, MY DEAR!
Poem by Bùi Minh Huế
Stay calm, please, don’t be afraid
Hanoi has always been strong and resilient
Don’t be lost in fear and doubt
The streets, the homes, will always be peaceful.
Countless nights we’ve stayed awake, fighting the endless pandemic
With eyes that carry the weight of worry
And hair turning greyer with the stress
Take a rest, my dear, regain your strength to fight the disease.
Hanoi will always remain at peace, there will be no separation
The old sấu trees are changing their leaves
By West Lake, the sâm cầm birds are still calling
Reunited beneath the beloved rooftops of our streets.
Stay calm, my love, don’t be afraid
Even as the pandemic rages, trust in the government
Together, we will overcome the difficulties, and Hanoi will be peaceful again
The heart of this beloved land will always burn bright.
This hardship has made us understand each other better
Kindness, sharing, and support are what we’ve always had
We care for the grey-haired, look after the young
We forgive and embrace those who falter.
For countless nights, Hanoi has stayed awake, deeply reflecting
Fighting Covid with a unified will to win
The blue coats are always ready for action
In solidarity, street by street, side by side.
Tomorrow, as the sun rises, we will witness a world full of color
Hanoi, my love, will shine brightly
Strong and unyielding, wiping away the exhaustion
The streets will echo with laughter and joy...
Hanoi, March 12, 2020

