1. Bài tham khảo số 4

2. Reference Poem No. 5
1974 was a heroic chapter in history that our nation will never forget. It marked the final phase of the war against imperialist America, with the entire country gearing up to liberate the South and unify the nation. The poem "Red Leaves" captures the spirit of this era, heralding the inevitable victory that was drawing near. Over the years, the poem has been set to music and has become a classic revolutionary anthem.
Although brief in length, the poem "Red Leaves" by Nguyễn Đình Thi encapsulates the grand march of our people, as they journeyed along the path of liberation: "Through the Trường Sơn to save the country / With hearts full of hope for the future." This period in our history fills the hearts of all Vietnamese with pride and honor. Despite the pain, loss, and sacrifice, the belief in the ultimate victory of the nation remained unwavering.
To convey this grand theme, the poem begins with small, humble images. Three central symbols run throughout the work: the red leaves, the girl soldier on the front line, and the marching soldiers. These images, though simple, carry a profound symbolic meaning. Especially the red leaves, which represent a foretelling of the inevitable victory of our people.
Meeting you atop the windswept heights
The strange forest roars with red leaves
The soldiers continue along the Trường Sơn, their vehicles stretching endlessly, through day and night. From high above, the Trường Sơn is experienced in a scene filled with romance: "The strange forest roars with red leaves." The vivid red leaves symbolize the blood of the fallen soldiers, their sacrifice absorbed by the land, transforming into the strength of the nation. The red color also represents revolutionary passion, the fiery willpower and unwavering determination of the people. The sound of the leaves rustling suggests the passage of time, as both nature and the world seem to join in the resolute spirit of the people fighting for victory.
In this atmosphere, amidst the fierce Trường Sơn, the image of the young female soldiers stands as a symbol of the spiritual strength of the soldiers: "You stand by the road, like the homeland / With your silver jacket and rifle in hand." This simple yet powerful image portrays the beauty of the young female soldiers, their silver jackets and rifles ready for battle. Looking into their eyes and seeing their smiles brings warmth to the hearts of the soldiers, with the promise: "We will meet again in Saigon," a vow to a future victory.
The poem is a proud anthem of the fierce struggle against American imperialism, a foretaste of the total victory awaiting the nation. With its free verse and vigorous rhythm, the poem brings back the unforgettable atmosphere of this heroic period in our history. The success of the poem lies in its rhythm and language. The author uses evocative phrases like "roaring," "silver jacket," "hastily," and "dust of Trường Sơn," to create a vivid, natural, and unpretentious portrayal of the battlefield's dynamic and harsh yet poetic atmosphere.
(Robert Lowell) once said: "Poetry is not a recording of events; it is the event itself." Nguyễn Đình Thi's poem "Red Leaves" is precisely that—a living portrayal of the fiery atmosphere during the fierce years of the war against America. The poem presents this story naturally, without embellishment. It also stands as one of the solemn notes that affirm the talent of the poet Nguyễn Đình Thi.

3. Reference Poem No. 1
Nguyen Dinh Thi (1924-2003), born in Hanoi, was a poet, writer, literary critic, and musician. His poetry is free and unrestrained, while also profound, reflective, and full of patriotic passion. The genre he was most passionate about was poetry, as for him, poetry was like a spiritual child, something he dedicated his entire life to pursuing. His poems often evoke the spirit of the nation and its people during the resistance war. He wrote about the nation's hardships, the suffering of its people, and their courageous fight for independence during a time of war. Some of his notable works include: 'Diệt phát xít' (1945), 'Người Hà Nội' (1947), 'Đất nước' (1955)...
The poem 'Lá đỏ' was written in December 1974, during the final stage of the nation's war for reunification. At that time, the whole army and people were focusing their efforts on the frontlines. He witnessed the brutal reality of war, with 'thousands of explosions shaking the night with fire.' The sacrifice, loss, and suffering caused by the war affected everyone, with people being the most vulnerable. But from these losses and sufferings emerged a beautiful and romantic image of the vast natural landscape of Truong Son, with the red leaves coloring the sky. Moved by the sight of the red leaves fluttering in the wind, the poem was born in that moment, becoming a battle song that accompanied the soldiers as they marched along the length of the country. The poem was later set to music by composer Hoang Hiep and became a song depicting the heroic atmosphere of the troops heading into battle.
'Lá đỏ'
'I met you high above, where the wind blows'
'In a strange forest, the red leaves rustle'
'You stand by the road, like the homeland'
'Your silver shoulder draped with a rifle'
'The army marches on, in haste'
'The Truong Son dust clouds the fiery sky'
'Goodbye, my sister from the frontline'
'I will meet you again in Saigon'
(Truong Son, 12/1974)
The opening of the poem presents the image of meeting 'you' high above, which could refer to a geographical position—perhaps the poet encountered 'you' from a high mountain pass. However, the phrase 'high above' not only refers to the physical location but also symbolizes the elevated emotional state the poet felt. This sacred feeling was placed above all others. From the high and windy plateau, one can feel an infinite, vast expanse. Against this backdrop, the image of the red leaves rustling in the wind stands out. Amidst the refreshing blue sky, the red leaves appear to decorate the Truong Son landscape, even as bombs rain down. Perhaps it is these red leaves that touched the poet’s heart, each red leaf symbolizing the poet’s thoughts and emotions.
The poetic image of the red leaves enhanced the grandeur of the natural scenery and represented the vitality of the Truong Son trail during the battle. In the midst of the fierce battle, the red leaves seemed to provide strength to the soldiers fighting for their beloved homeland.
The next four lines depict the Truong Son road during the battle. It opens with the image of a young female soldier standing by the road. The mention of Truong Son evokes the image of young female volunteers, who, driven by patriotism, were ready to head to the frontlines.
'You stand by the road, like the homeland'
'Your silver shoulder draped with a rifle'
The image is of a youthful, beautiful girl full of vigor and strength. These girls, who should have enjoyed peaceful and happy lives, were instead willing to fight to protect their country. Despite their frail shoulders, they bravely carried rifles and marched off to war. Many poets have drawn inspiration from these young volunteers. In Trần Nhật Thu’s poem 'Cái điểm sáng ấy' ('That Bright Spot'), he also writes about these female soldiers on the Truong Son trail.
'For years, traveling the Truong Son trail'
'No night like tonight is unforgettable'
'The milestones are the girls'
'Standing peacefully by the roadside, ready for the vehicles.'
The image of the Truong Son road is referenced in the next two lines.
'The army marches on, in haste'
'The Truong Son dust clouds the fiery sky.'
The road is full of hardship and adversity, yet our army marches on with urgency. The march seems to shake off all difficulties, trampling on every obstacle. 'The Truong Son dust clouds the fiery sky' describes the sky filled with the smoke and fire of bombs and artillery, not from fog or dust. This vivid and fierce scene reflects the harsh yet beautiful landscapes of war. The beauty of nature is intertwined with the brutal realities of war, symbolizing the fierce and challenging environment of battle.
The final two lines of the poem are a farewell and a promise to reunite in Saigon once the nation is reunited.
'Goodbye, my sister from the frontline'
'I will meet you again in Saigon.'
'You' here represent both the rear and the soldiers on the frontlines. A simple farewell, yet deeply symbolic, it carries a promise to reunite when the country is liberated. The final campaign in the long march will bear the name of Uncle Ho, and meeting in Saigon will signify the day of victory. No more fiery skies, only joyous scenes celebrating the nation’s independence.
With its free verse form and sincere voice, the poem's imagery is deeply relatable and captures the beauty of nature and the spirit of the Vietnamese people. The image of the red leaves conveys a strong feeling, symbolizing the inevitable victory of the nation. 'Lá đỏ' is a powerful poem that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

4. Reference Article #2
Nguyen Dinh Thi was a remarkable artist, a versatile talent especially renowned for his creativity and success across multiple artistic fields. He wrote novellas, short stories, essays, literary critiques, plays, composed music, and wrote poetry, leaving a distinct mark in every genre he ventured into. In his poem 'Red Leaves,' he highlighted unique artistic features. 'Red Leaves' is one of those poems written before the Vietnamese forces entered the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign to liberate the South, yet it had already foreshadowed the inevitable victory of the nation.
In just eight lines, Nguyen Dinh Thi captured the grandeur of our nation’s military campaign during the People's War to protect the Homeland—the march along the Truong Son Road, advancing toward Saigon to liberate the South and reunify the country. The poem is a beautiful painting, a powerful musical score within the hearts of those heading to battle. The three main images of the poem—red leaves, the girl of the frontline, and the troops—are vivid symbols representing the epic struggle against American imperialism. Particularly, the red leaves create a strong impact, symbolizing the anticipation of the nation’s inevitable triumph.
Meeting her on the wind-swept heights
The strange forest, the red leaves swirling
'On the heights' in these lines does not only refer to a geographical position (a high slope or pass) but also implies a higher philosophical or emotional state. 'High' here is also symbolic of nobility and grandeur.
From Truong Son, he recognized himself and understood the immense strength of the Vietnamese people. What unfolded before him was a surreal beauty, with the swirling red leaves. These leaves represent the emotions and the vitality of the Truong Son people.
The next line, 'The strange forest, the red leaves swirling,' is deeply striking. The word 'strange' makes a strong impression because it conveys the first encounter, perhaps the first time witnessing the blazing red hues of the autumn forests in the Central Highlands. 'Strange' is a feeling that is authentic, deeply truthful. It is 'strange' because amidst such a harsh battlefield, there emerged these young, slender yet resilient girls, facing danger to guide the vehicles through challenging paths. This strange feeling vanished when the poet realized the familiarity and warmth of this girl—she was from his homeland, from the place they would all return to. Furthermore, the words 'wind-swept' reflect the vast openness of the people's hearts, filled with revolutionary optimism.
The lyrical character stood on the heights of Truong Son, where one could see the entire majestic mountain range and feel the power of the Vietnamese people: The strange forest, the red leaves swirling. Here, there’s an association between the red leaves and the troops. The red leaves, or perhaps the fiery hearts full of hatred toward the enemy, were rushing toward the battlefield. Truong Son, the vast forest, was in the midst of the turning winds. The winds fiercely blew, showering the sky with red leaves. The resistance war against American imperialism was nearing its final stages, with the troops marching at a rapid pace, shaking the mountains and clouds of dust, as the red leaves mingled with the smoke and flames. The soldiers and red leaves blended in the smoke of Truong Son, creating an image of high aesthetic quality, showcasing the poet’s artistic brilliance. With realistic language and a strong rhythm, Nguyen Dinh Thi’s simple lines depicted a heroic, epic landscape.
The troops still march urgently
The Truong Son dust blurs the fiery sky
The path ahead is full of hardships. 'The troops still march urgently,' with countless determined footsteps, marching rapidly, shaking the mountains and forests, as they 'blur the fiery sky,' overcoming obstacles, enduring the heat and fire to advance forward. The verse depicts the atmosphere of a rapid, heroic march, evoking the epic spirit of the final phase of the war, preparing for a major offensive to completely liberate the South. In this context, a beautiful image emerges—an emblem of the people's war: 'The girl of the frontline,' the female guerrilla or the young volunteer. Her presence on the Truong Son peaks reminds future generations of the nationwide struggle, including young, beautiful girls who, by all rights, should have lived in peace.
In the fervent revolutionary atmosphere and under the light of a new ideal, more than ever, the image of women emerges with a new beauty—women freed from the shackles of feudal customs, joining in the national cause. These were the female youth volunteers on the fiery Truong Son line: 'You stand by the road like the homeland/ Your gray-sleeved shoulders carrying a rifle.' The image of 'gray sleeves' evokes the endless days of rain and scorching heat in the mountains. Yet, these slender girls overcame it all, standing here with rifles slung over their shoulders.
But the troops continue, an endless march, with the poet—soldier—only able to capture the image of the homeland before bidding farewell and promising to meet again:
Goodbye, my girl of the frontline
See you in Saigon
The figure stands by the road, like a landmark, a pillar of support, while the troops march forward with joy and unwavering faith in victory. Saigon, the destination of the offensive, is near, the road to victory is almost within reach. Saigon, the promised land for generations of Vietnamese. This farewell and promise carry the enthusiasm of youth, the ideals of independence and freedom, and an unwavering belief in ultimate triumph.

5. Reference Article No. 3
RED LEAVES
I met you on the mountain, where the wind blows strong
The strange forest rustled with red leaves
You stood by the road, like a symbol of homeland
Your worn-out clothes draped over a rifle.
The army marched on in haste
The dust of Truong Son blended with the fiery sky.
Greetings to you, girl from the front
Let's meet again in Saigon.
You waved with a bright smile in your eyes.
(Truong Son, 12/1974)
(Source: Truong Son - The Road of Aspiration, National Political Publisher, 2009)
Nguyen Dinh Thi is a poet dedicated and diligent throughout his artistic journey. After more than 60 years of writing, he has left behind a vast body of work across various forms, with poetry being the field he invested the most passion in. Each of his poems carries a distinct identity, and "Red Leaves" is a prime example, representing both the content and artistic style of Nguyen Dinh Thi's poetry.
The poem was written in 1974, during the period when the country was preparing for the general offensive to liberate the South and reunite the nation. The main theme of the poem reflects the hope and belief in the nation's victory. It serves as a prophetic vision of a brighter future for the country, when we have gained independence, freedom, and peace.
In just eight short, concise lines, Nguyen Dinh Thi vividly portrays the long and heroic journey of our country during the fierce war to defend the homeland. This journey took place along the Truong Son Road, with soldiers marching into Saigon, liberating the South, and uniting the country. The poem was written when the poet himself directly experienced life on Truong Son, which is why the lines are so vivid and authentic.
The opening lines of the poem describe the magnificent natural landscape of the mountains:
“I met you on the mountain, where the wind blows strong
The strange forest rustled with red leaves”
It can be imagined that the poet is standing at the peak of Truong Son, a place where one can gaze over a vast and boundless horizon. "On high" also carries a symbolic meaning, representing nobility and grandeur in thought and emotion. The phrase "blowing in the wind" evokes an open heart, full of hope, welcoming the winds of revolution. From this mountaintop, he witnesses the incredible beauty of nature: “The strange forest rustled with red leaves.” The onomatopoeic phrase “rustled” suggests the image of a storm of red leaves falling rapidly, much like the vibrant spirit of Truong Son. The red color of the leaves symbolizes the national flag and the blood flowing through the hearts of Vietnamese people.
The next two lines bring in the image of a person, a beautiful symbol of the people's war – “the girl from the front,” either a female soldier or a young woman from a youth volunteer group:
“You stood by the road, like a symbol of homeland
Your worn-out clothes draped over a rifle.”
The presence of these girls on Truong Son helped create a glorious period for the country, a national war involving everyone, including young girls who should have been living peaceful and happy lives. The image of girls along the Truong Son road reminds one of the young women soldiers in the short story "The Distant Stars" by Le Minh Khuê. Many young men and women worked tirelessly, even sacrificing their lives for the nation's cause, and together they created the shining pages of history that made "Our Everlasting Homeland." The simple image of "worn-out clothes draped over a rifle" is a testament to the months spent in the harsh conditions, as well as a striking image amidst the red leaves of Truong Son.
In the fiery years of the war against the Americans, Truong Son became a sacred battlefield:
“The army marched on in haste
The dust of Truong Son blended with the fiery sky”
The path of the army was filled with hardships and dangers. One might think of the soldiers from the "Tây Tiến" army marching through the mountains of the Northwest: “Steep and winding hills, the clouds are desolate, guns facing the sky.” The road became a challenge to the soldiers' resolve, yet the army "marched on in haste" with rapid and steady footsteps, shaking the very earth: "The dust of Truong Son blended with the fiery sky." These lines evoke a heroic and epic atmosphere during the final days of the war.
The troops marched on, one after another, with the poet – soldier, only able to briefly capture the image of his homeland and send a greeting and promise:
“Greetings to you, girl from the front
Let's meet again in Saigon.”
Saigon – the destination of the march, the final goal of the offensive, was near. The road to victory, to independence and freedom, was within reach. These greetings and promises were full of youthful passion, aspirations, and noble ideals.
Not only does the poem leave a deep impression through its content, but it also features remarkable artistic elements. The key to its success lies in the imagery, rhythm, and language. The poem vividly portrays images of red leaves, the girl from the front, and the marching soldiers, capturing the beauty of Vietnam's people and land. The rhythm throughout the poem mirrors the steady and powerful pace of the soldiers' march. The language is simple, relatable, and realistic, bringing to life the battlefield in a natural and vibrant way.
The wars may be over, and time may cover them with dust, but the memories of those years will never fade. Many years later, readers will still remember the days of the Truong Son Road, the red leaves, and the images of the young girls from the front and the soldiers whose footsteps shook the earth. Perhaps this is why Balzac once said that artists who write and create poetry are "the faithful secretaries of their times."

