Top 5 Best Essays Reflecting on the piece "Cầu Long Biên - chứng nhân lịch sử" by Thúy Lan

The text "Cầu Long Biên - nhân chứng lịch sử" provides valuable information about a landmark in the capital city, which, though potentially incomplete in knowledge, leaves a strong impression with its unique perspective and personal reflection. Both the information and sentiment deepen our understanding and love for the Long Biên Bridge as a historical witness. The distinction between "witness" and "evidence" lies in the bridge's role in the "painful and heroic history of Hanoi"—a bridge that has touched the hearts of millions across Vietnam. The essay, written in the form of a journal entry, begins with a general overview, then follows the passage of time and ends with a reflection on the bridge, not as a simple "lover's bridge" from the past, but as a symbol connecting all travelers to the heart of Vietnam.

1. The essay starts with an overview of two levels of context. The first level presents the background of the bridge (location, construction time, designer), while the second level, a historical context, emphasizes how the bridge has witnessed the joys and sorrows of a nation, "painful and heroic." The intellectual and emotional depth within each word and sentence reveals a deep connection to the bridge. A comparison method is used to honor the bridge, whose presence remains irreplaceable, even by the most modern bridges. The two levels intertwine throughout the essay, with varying emphasis depending on the need for explanation, description, or the writer’s subjective memories. The narrative voice shifts between third and first person as a result.

2. When the Long Biên Bridge was first inaugurated, it was seen as both a beautiful and functional structure. From a distance, its graceful curves resembled a silk ribbon, symbolizing both romanticism and a sign of industrial development, marking "a significant achievement in the era of iron bridges." However, beneath its grandeur lay a colonial exploitative purpose, with thousands of Vietnamese workers dying during its construction. The explanatory tone continues with a description of the bridge’s three routes: railway, automobile, and pedestrian paths. From the perspective of a modern 21st-century bridge, the bridge’s dimensions may seem modest, reflecting a time when transportation was still limited to basic vehicles.

But these shortcomings are compensated by countless memories. The memoir-like tone replaces the journalistic one. For generations of schoolchildren, the bridge has been imprinted on their hearts before they even enter school. The poems they remember may not be masterpieces, but they still resonate deeply with young souls. As they grow older, the bridge links two worlds—the simple, hardworking fields of Gia Lâm and the alluring, vibrant lights of Hanoi. A poignant memory emerges from the early days of 1947, when the Capital Regiment withdrew from Hanoi with great pride. The passage about the bridge feels almost like a personal reflection, using emotional and evocative language to capture the admiration and longing it inspires.

During the heroic years of the Vietnam War, the Long Biên Bridge suffered repeated bombings as it became a major target for U.S. airstrikes. The narrative shifts to harsh factual accounts: the first bombing campaign targeted the bridge ten times, the second four times, and the final attack, a bombing raid, devastated the bridge. However, these numbers speak volumes, as the storyteller’s voice comes from a person who lived through these events. The tone is filled with anger, sorrow, and pride after the second bombing: "From the Cầu Đất side, I saw the bridge torn apart in the sky. The damaged spans seemed to bleed, but the bridge stood firm, unwavering in the vast sky and water." In 1972, after another bombing, the storyteller recalls with deep sorrow: "I ran to the bridge as soon as the bombs stopped. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I felt as though my heart had been torn apart." The tone shifts from enemy attacks to the inevitability of natural disasters, reinforcing the bridge’s enduring strength and resilience. Despite the floods that swallowed villages and fields, the bridge "swayed like a hammock but remained resilient and strong."

3. The phrase "Now Long Biên Bridge has returned to a humble position" is repeated in the essay with a clear, measured tone. This mirrors the initial threat of the bridge’s decline, as "When the Hồng River is crossed, there will be the Thăng Long and Chương Dương bridges, towering over the landscape." And the future holds many more modern bridges crossing the river. Yet, the opening reference to Long Biên as "a living, painful, and heroic witness" is once again celebrated by the phrase "I still often bring foreign tourist groups to visit Long Biên Bridge."

This is an attempt to demonstrate the eternal significance of the Long Biên Bridge by shifting the narrative from a subjective interpretation to an objective, detached assessment. This validation is evident: "They silently step on the bridge, observing it from various angles and capturing images of this historic bridge." In this way, the distance between the people of Hanoi and first-time visitors is significantly reduced. The essay concludes with an optimistic prediction, as the narrator is confident that, through their love for the bridge, a bridge of friendship will emerge, bringing tourists "ever closer to the Vietnamese land" in a new historical era.

The Long Bien Bridge spans the Red River in Hanoi, its construction beginning in 1898 and completed four years later, designed by the famous French architect Ép-phen. Today, alongside Long Bien, there are newer, more modern bridges such as Thang Long and Chuong Duong, but Long Bien, in peacetime, has retreated to a humble position, yet it remains a living witness to history. Long Bien Bridge stands as a vivid, painful, and heroic testament of Hanoi.

When it was first completed, the bridge was named after the French Governor-General of Indochina, Dume, and the locals referred to it as Dume Bridge. The bridge measures 2290 meters in length (including the approach bridges, with nine long spans and ten shorter ones). From a distance, Long Bien looks like a winding silk ribbon across the Red River, but in reality, this "silk ribbon" weighs a staggering 17,000 tons! Long Bien Bridge is one of the results of the first colonial exploitation by the French in Vietnam. Technically, it is considered an important achievement in the era of iron bridges. It was built not only with sweat but also with the blood of countless workers.

People documented the suffering of the Vietnamese workers, who endured harsh and inhumane treatment by their French employers, leading to the death of thousands of Vietnamese during the construction. In 1945, the bridge was renamed Long Bien Bridge. The bridge has a railway running down the center, with roads for cars on either side and pedestrian pathways on the outermost edges. However, its dimensions were only suited for a time when transportation was limited, mostly to crude vehicles. In the peaceful years before, Long Bien Bridge was even included in textbooks. I still vividly remember the image of the bridge drawn with great reverence in the pages, accompanied by a poem that generations of students had memorized.

Though I hadn’t reached school age, I remember hearing the older students recite these verses, which were deeply imprinted in my mind: "Hanoi has Long Bien Bridge / Long and wide, crossing the Red River / Trains and vehicles move smoothly / People bustle, carrying loads back and forth…" Every time I stand on Long Bien, I am captivated by the green of the sugarcane fields, mulberry gardens, cornfields, and banana orchards near Gia Lam, never tiring of the view. That hardworking green evokes feelings of love and serenity in my soul. As evening falls, looking toward Hanoi, I see the lights rising like stars, evoking allure and longing. Looking down from the bridge, I remember the early days of 1947, when the people of Hanoi, together with the beloved Capital Regiment, secretly departed… Those days were poignantly and heroically captured by poet Chinh Huu and talented composer Luong Ngoc Trac in the song 'Ngày về':

"The nights of departure, the sky burning red / The whole city smokes behind us / The young men, who have not yet paid the debt of heroes / Their spirits flying with flags of red / The tattered shoes from thousands of miles of travel / The dust of the revolution fading the fine clothes…"

And every time I look up at the clear Hanoi sky, my mind wanders back to the glorious and heroic years of fighting against American imperialism. The beloved bridge became one of the fiercest bombing targets of the U.S. Air Force. In the first phase of the Northern bombing campaign, the bridge was hit ten times, with seven spans and four major supports damaged. In the second phase, it was bombed four times, resulting in 1,000 meters of damage and two main supports being severed. Those days, from the direction of Cau Dat, I saw the bridge torn apart in the sky. The spans were so damaged they seemed to bleed, but the bridge still stood tall amidst the vast expanse of sky and water. We welded, but the American bombs struck again. The final bombing in 1972, carried out by U.S. air forces, destroyed parts of the bridge. I rushed up to the bridge immediately after the bombings ended. The guards at the entrance stopped me.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I felt as if my heart was torn apart. Now, Long Bien Bridge has returned to its humble position. Across the Red River, Thang Long and Chuong Duong stand proudly. And in the future, even more modern bridges will cross the Red River. But I still frequently take foreign tourists to visit Long Bien. They solemnly step onto the bridge, standing from various angles to capture images of this historic bridge. As for me, I try to instill my love for the bridge into their hearts, creating an invisible bridge to bring them closer to the country of Vietnam. (According to Thuy Lan, Hanoi People’s Newspaper)

Long Bien Bridge – a historical witness, along with the works 'The Letter of the Red Chief' and 'Phong Nha Cave', is considered a "contemporary text." The term "contemporary text" does not merely refer to a specific genre or type of writing. When we talk about "contemporary texts," we are referring to the content of the writing, which is relevant and urgent to the lives of individuals and communities in modern society, such as issues about nature, environment, energy, population, children's rights, drugs, etc. Contemporary texts can take on any genre or form of writing.

Long Bien Bridge – a historical witness is a reflective essay that incorporates elements of memoir. A memoir is a genre that records events and scenes that the writer has witnessed firsthand, along with their own reflections. It is presented less cohesively in terms of plot than a journalistic report but is not as free-form as a personal essay.

For over a century, the Long Bien Bridge has witnessed many heroic and tragic historical events of Hanoi. Although it now stands humbly in its place, Long Bien Bridge remains an enduring historical witness, not only for Hanoi but for the entire nation.

"Long Bien Bridge – A Historical Witness" is a piece rich with memoir elements, recounting events that the author has seen and heard, along with personal reflections. The emotionally charged writing stems from a deep understanding of the famous Long Bien Bridge and is enhanced by personification, which adds to the narrative's appeal.

Thuý Lan, a reporter from the Hanoi New Newspaper, wrote this memoir article to introduce to the people of Vietnam and friends around the world a special landmark of Hanoi – Long Bien Bridge. A bridge that is deeply intertwined with the glorious history of the Vietnamese people.

After briefly introducing the background of Long Bien Bridge’s construction, the author reflects on personal memories related to it. Since childhood, Long Bien Bridge had been part of a poem that the teacher made the class memorize. The memories of walking on the bridge, watching the turbulent Red River carrying sediment, and admiring the vast, expansive fields of rice and corn at the foot of the bridge come to mind. The image of the brave Hanoi regiment secretly leaving the capital to fight in the resistance against invaders is recalled. This heroic image was beautifully captured by poet Chính Hữu and talented composer Lương Ngọc Trác in the song "Ngày về" (The Return).

The author feels both sorrow and pride when looking up at the clear blue sky, remembering the scene when American planes bombed the bridge in an attempt to sever this vital transportation route of Hanoi, but the Vietnamese people fought back fiercely, repairing the bridge in time. The memories of floods also surface, when the waters of the Red River rose high, yet the bridge remained steadfast, challenging the wrath of nature.

The war against American invasion, the liberation of the South, and the reunification of the country ended in victory. The bombs and gunfire subsided, and the Vietnamese people began rebuilding the nation. Long Bien Bridge still stands proudly, casting its reflection on the Red River. Today, Long Bien Bridge is a bridge of friendship, welcoming visitors from all corners of the world to Vietnam.

The essay begins with an introduction to the history of Long Bien Bridge: it spans the Red River in Hanoi, was started in 1898, and completed four years later, designed by the famous French architect Ép-phen. Over a century, Long Bien Bridge has witnessed countless historical events, both glorious and tragic. In this section, the author presents the facts objectively, mostly using expository writing to offer scientifically grounded knowledge, rather than simply personal thoughts on the bridge.

Today, there are modern bridges like Thang Long Bridge and Chuong Duong Bridge crossing the Red River. Long Bien Bridge, in peacetime, has taken a more modest position, but it remains a historical witness. Long Bien Bridge is like a living, painful, and heroic witness to the capital of Hanoi. For the people of Hanoi and for the Vietnamese nation, Long Bien Bridge represents a historical symbol, bearing witness to the painful and heroic stages of the people’s struggle against foreign invaders.

In the next part of the essay, the author compares the features of Long Bien Bridge with other historical and social issues, such as the bridge being initially named after the French Governor-General of Indochina at the time, Dume… The bridge was a result of the French colonial exploitation, and it was considered a significant achievement in the era of iron bridges… The completion of the bridge was made possible by the labor and lives of thousands of Vietnamese workers during its construction.

The bridge once witnessed the hardships of Vietnamese coolies, subjected to the brutal treatment of their French masters… The details in the narrative and description reflect the author’s feelings and accurate evaluation of Long Bien Bridge.

The French colonialists aimed to build infrastructure to serve their colonial exploitation. However, after completing Long Bien Bridge, the Vietnamese people, with their own perspective, regarded the bridge as belonging to Vietnam, for it was built on Vietnamese soil with the sweat and blood of thousands of Vietnamese people. Long Bien Bridge became a point of pride for the people of Hanoi:

Hanoi has Long Bien Bridge

Long and wide, spanning the Red River.

Trains and vehicles travel freely

People bustling with their loads, going back and forth...

The author’s deep affection for Long Bien Bridge is clearly and passionately expressed in the essay: In the peaceful years before, Long Bien Bridge was included in the textbooks. I still vividly remember the image of the bridge, carefully drawn on the pages, with a poem that generations of students have memorized. Even though I hadn't yet reached school, listening to my older siblings read, those verses have deeply imprinted on my mind...

Long Bien Bridge has shared both the joys and sorrows, life and death, with the people of Hanoi and the entire nation during the bomb-laden years. Now, as the author peacefully gazes at the autumn sky, they still feel moved and saddened when recalling the times when the bridge was repeatedly bombed by the enemy, seemingly on the brink of collapse.

And each time I look up at the clear Hanoi sky, I recall the glorious and heroic years of resisting American imperialism. That beloved bridge became the primary target of the fiercest bombings from the American air force. In the first wave of bombing, the bridge was struck ten times, seven spans were damaged, and four major pillars were destroyed. In the second wave, the bridge was bombed four times, with 1000 meters destroyed and two major pillars severed. Those days, from the Cầu Đất side, I saw the bridge torn apart in the sky.

The spans of the bridge were shattered, like they were bleeding, but the entire bridge stood resilient amidst the vast sky and river. We welded, and American bombs severed again. The last time in 1972, the bridge was bombed by American aircraft. I rushed to the bridge as soon as the bombs stopped. The guards at the bridge entrance prevented me from going up. Tears welled up as I felt as if I were being torn apart.

At that time, nature and the enemy’s destruction accompanied one another:

Then came the days when the water rose high, almost touching the bridge. Standing on the bridge, watching the Red River, full of red water rushing powerfully with unstoppable force, submerging the beloved greenery and villages on both shores, I felt that the bridge was like a resilient, unbreakable ring.

It seemed as though some miracle occurred, and Long Bien Bridge continued to stand proudly. Every day, it still welcomes people from all directions.

Long Bien Bridge is personified, imbued with the spirit of the people, and is regarded as a historical witness. This personification breathes life into this inanimate object. Long Bien Bridge has become a companion to countless generations, daily witnessing and emotionally responding to the grand changes and ups and downs of the capital, the country, and the people.

The lyrical tone reaches its peak at the end of the essay: Now, Long Bien Bridge has returned to its humble position. Spanning the Red River, there are now the towering Thang Long Bridge and Chuong Duong Bridge. In the future, there will be even more modern bridges crossing the Red River. But I still often take groups of foreign tourists to visit Long Bien Bridge. They quietly step onto the bridge, standing at various angles, capturing images of this historic bridge. As for me, I try to instill my love for the bridge into their hearts, hoping to build an invisible bridge between them and Vietnam.

The history and familiar, beloved image of Long Bien Bridge not only touches the hearts of generations of Vietnamese people but also causes foreign tourists to reflect. There is still some distance between us, but Long Bien Bridge, as a living, painful, and heroic witness, has helped bridge that gap. From a steel bridge linking the two banks of the Red River, the author invites us to think of an “invisible bridge” that connects the hearts of humanity.

"Long Bien Bridge – A Historical Witness" is a remarkable piece of writing. From the perspective of a journalist and the narrative style of a reflective essay, Thúy Lan has created a unique emotional flow regarding this historic bridge. As we follow the author’s words, which are infused with many autobiographical elements, we encounter Long Bien Bridge as a symbol, a witness to history.

What started as an iron bridge connecting the banks of the Red River has been humanized, portrayed as an entity with its own history, emotions, and experiences like any person. It seems that the author has breathed life into this structure, making it pulse with human emotions. The creation of Long Bien Bridge is the result of the first colonial exploitation by the French, an achievement during the iron bridge era. Yet, its birth is tied to the sweat, tears, and blood of Vietnamese workers who built it.

Historical records recount the hardships and brutal treatment faced by the Vietnamese laborers at the hands of the French employers, resulting in the deaths of thousands during the construction. This is a chilling reality! In just a few short lines, the article evokes the tragic fate of a nation enslaved during a dark period in history. For nearly half a century, Long Bien Bridge stood as a living testament to the suffering of a people.

The August Revolution succeeded, but the war was far from over. Long Bien Bridge once again bore witness to the fiery nights of Hanoi's fierce resistance against the French. The author recalls these glorious moments with vivid memories of the early days of 1947, a time both tragic and heroic:

The nights of departure, the sky and earth burning.

The whole city smoldering behind us.

The young men, heroes unfulfilled,

Their spirits soaring with the red flags of the revolution.

Worn shoes from a thousand miles of struggle,

The dust of battle fading on their once-pristine clothes...

Just when peace was restored, another chapter full of sorrow, glory, and heroism arrived. Long Bien Bridge once again witnessed the brutal and fierce struggle of the Vietnamese people against the American invaders. Even this lifeless bridge became a target, enduring countless bombs from American aircraft. The bridge was battered and torn, bleeding from the damage. Despite this, it did not fall, embodying the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people. This was the most tragic and heroic period in the history of Long Bien Bridge and the nation. Long Bien Bridge stood tall like a living, painful, and brave witness to history.

The war ended, peace was restored, and life became tranquil and simple once again. Long Bien Bridge remained a historical witness to the transformation of the homeland, witnessing lush green fields and thriving villages. In the era of industrialization and modernization, more modern bridges arose across the Red River. Long Bien Bridge, now in a modest position, continues to embody the memory of the past, forever remaining a symbol of resilience, courage, and history for Hanoi, for the nation, and for the people of Vietnam.

Through the introduction and portrayal of Long Bien Bridge as a historical witness, Thúy Lan expresses deep affection, pride, and connection to this historic bridge. Her emotions are heartfelt and intense. The reader is deeply moved by the passionate sentiments that pervade the text, which is rich in lyricism. I vividly remember the image of the bridge portrayed reverently in the textbook with the poem… Those verses are etched into my mind...

Every time I stand on Long Bien Bridge, I am captivated by the sight of the green fields, mulberry groves, cornfields, and banana gardens on the Gia Lam side, which never fail to enchant me. The green of labor evokes feelings of love and tranquility in my soul. As evening falls, looking toward Hanoi, I see the lights twinkling like stars, inspiring longing and desire.

I remember the early days of 1947...

"I remember the glorious and heroic days of resisting American imperialism..."

The connection to this bridge is so deep that the author almost feels its pain, seeing it torn and bloodied, feeling sorrow when it is damaged. I ran up to the bridge as soon as the bombs stopped. The guards at the bridge stopped me from going up. Tears filled my eyes, and I thought I was about to break into pieces.

And this love for the bridge remains steadfast. Even today, the author strives to share their love for the bridge with foreign visitors, building an invisible bridge that connects them to Vietnam. The essay ends, but Thúy Lan’s deep affection for the historical bridge and her heartfelt love for the country leave a lasting impression on the reader, leaving them with sweet afterthoughts.

The Long Bien Bridge, a historical witness as described by the author Thuy Lan, is a piece of contemporary writing that provides valuable information about one of the capital's scenic landmarks. While the knowledge shared may be somewhat superficial, the most lasting impression from this article is likely the unique perspective and personal reflection it offers.

Both the information and the reflections help us begin to understand and appreciate, albeit in the initial stages, the Long Bien Bridge as a historical witness. The difference between a 'witness' and a 'testament' lies in this: the bridge has entered the history of the beloved, 'suffering and heroic' Hanoi, becoming deeply intertwined with the hearts of tens of millions of people from North to South. The essay, written in the form of a journal, starts with a general observation and follows the trail of time, ultimately concluding with a reflection on the bridge's purpose—not as a 'lover's bridge' for couples as depicted in ancient folk songs, but as a symbol for all travelers who come closer to the Vietnamese nation.

The article begins with a general observation, framing the bridge at two levels. The first level deals with the bridge's origins—its location, construction time, and designer—while the second level, historical in nature, reflects on how the bridge has accompanied a century of events, witnessing both joy and sorrow, life and death, of a 'suffering and heroic' people. The intellectual and emotional depth embedded in each word, each sentence, opens the writer's soul. The use of comparison here serves to honor the bridge, whose resonance lingers with people's hearts to such an extent that no modern bridge could ever replace it. These two levels intertwine throughout the piece, with their prominence varying depending on the descriptive and explanatory needs and the subjective memories of the writer. The narrative voice shifts from third-person to first-person and back again, as required.

When the Long Bien Bridge was first inaugurated, it was an event. It held dual significance, like a medal—on the one hand, the bridge's dreamlike appearance from a distance could be likened to a flowing ribbon, while on the other, as a symbol of a developing industrial age, it was hailed as 'a major achievement in the era of iron bridges.' But the other side of this unprecedented engineering feat in Vietnam at that time had a darker undertone, stemming from the colonial exploitation goals of the French, and it was even considered repulsive (thousands of Vietnamese workers died during the construction). The explanatory tone continues with a description of the bridge's three lanes: rail, automobile, and pedestrian. By the standards of a modern bridge in the 21st century, the seemingly grand dimensions of the bridge at the time would seem 'appropriate only for an era when vehicles were scarce, mostly consisting of rudimentary carts.'

However, perhaps in compensation for these shortcomings, a flood of memories emerges. The article transitions from a journalistic style to a reflective memoir. The Long Bien Bridge, for generations of students, is a passage to be learned before class. A line of poetry may not have been great poetry, yet it still nurtured the souls of many innocent children. As they grew a little older, the familiar bridge became a bridge between two worlds: the humble, hardworking fields of Gia Lam and the captivating and aspirational lights of Hanoi. In these distant memories, there is one highlight: in early 1947, the Capital Regiment withdrew from Hanoi with a spirit of great pride. The writing here feels like a personal confession. The language is highly expressive—filled with admiration, never tiring of its view, full of affection and tranquility, allure and longing. It resonates deeply with souls that are thoughtful and dreamy.

During the heroic American War, the Long Bien Bridge suffered significant damage as it became 'the most heavily bombed target by American air forces.' The explanatory tone returns, marked by harsh, objective numbers: in the first round, the bridge was bombed ten times, in the second round four times, and in the final round, it was bombed with cluster bombs. These numbers speak for themselves, as the narrator's voice is that of someone who lived through it. For example, after the second bombing raid, the writer's voice is filled with rage, sorrow, and endless pride: 'Those days, from the Cầu Đất side, I saw the bridge torn apart in the sky. The damaged spans seemed to bleed, yet the bridge still stood tall amidst the vast sky and water.' Later, in 1972, after the final bombing, the bridge was rebuilt, and the tone shifted to one of sorrow: 'I ran to the bridge right after the bombs had dropped. Tears welled up, and I felt as if my insides were being torn apart.' The narrator's voice transitions from describing enemy devastation to natural calamity, aiming to reinforce the bridge's strength and resilience. For it remained there, amid the floods that drowned green fields and prosperous villages, 'the bridge like a hammock swaying, yet still resilient and unbroken.'

'Now, the Long Bien Bridge has returned to a humble position,' the sentence is repeated with a calm tone. This echoes the earlier danger when 'The Red River had the Thang Long Bridge, and the Chuong Duong Bridge stood proudly.' And even more dangers follow: 'There will be more modern bridges crossing the Red River.' Yet, the phrase from the introduction comparing the Long Bien Bridge to 'a living witness of suffering and heroism' is honored once again with a new phrase: 'I still often bring foreign tourist groups to visit the Long Bien Bridge.' This serves as an experiment to prove the immortality of the Long Bien Bridge, shifting from a subjective narration to an objective evaluation from an outsider's perspective. This verification is clearly affirmed: 'They quietly tread each step on the bridge's surface. They stand from many angles, capturing images of this historical bridge.' Thus, the once vast gap between Hanoi's residents and first-time visitors has been significantly shortened.

Therefore, the conclusion of the article offers an optimistic forecast, as the narrator of the Long Bien Bridge knows that through their love for the bridge, a bridge of friendship will emerge, one that will bring tourists 'closer and closer to Vietnam' in the new historical period.