Buzz
1. My School
Dedicated to the soldiers of adult education
My school is simple in every way
It doesn't need tiled roofs or white lime walls
A house made of straw and mud will do
The communal yard is small, but we sit together happily
My school is joyful amidst the plowed fields
By the riverbank, the market, under the shade of trees, on the hillside
My school is joyful on the vast ocean
Words echo on the waves, words shine on fishing boats
My school is joyful in the deep forests
Words follow the fire torches, voices heard through the night.
Come here, friends, come!
My school resounds with the sounds of the land and water
We are poor, without ink, but we have red chalk
Bamboo pens, chalk dust, the community uses what we have.
Leaning together over the shared blackboard
Grey hair beside youthful heads
Hey there, sister, hey there, brother
We study side by side, torn clothes don't matter!
Learning together, teaching each other...
1946
2. Winter
Tonight, the eastern sea winds return
The autumn season seems to chill the earth and sky
The mountains are cold, the air crisp
The deep forest trembles, distant sounds of rustling
The courtyard is lined with wild trees
The leaves tremble, the cold of winter is heavy
Alone, I lie listening to the night
Chilled winds seep through the cracks of the door
No blanket, no mat to cover
Alone in the room, surrounded by emptiness
Lying here, conversing with myself
The vast expanse, memories of friends, love sent across the miles...
Lao Bảo, December 1940
Source: Tố Hữu, Từ ấy, NXB Văn học, 1959
3. New Year's Eve
Tonight, fireworks burst to welcome the new year
While the soldier, homeless, keeps marching on
The vast fields, the wide plains, the quiet night
He walks, unaware of the coming spring festival
He forgets all the suffering he's endured
His spirit is driven, like a militia on the road
The villages faintly remind him of home
The land and waters are filled with love, deep and warm
Yet, in the cold wind and rain
The freezing air makes every step heavy
He leans against a poor straw temple
His heart stirs, dreaming of the red flag ahead.
Spring 1943
Source: Tố Hữu, Từ ấy, NXB Văn học, 1959
4. The Tireless Bird
This afternoon, the wind is still, the sun bright
The sky is pink and white, the sun glistens, and Uncle Ho returns
The Red River shines golden along the dyke
The smell of fresh hay fills the air, the fields are ripe for harvest
Uncle Ho travels, crossing many miles
Today, it's cold with snow, but the sun has just come out
Has Uncle's hair grown greyer?
In these five years, across four seas, does he often think of us?
Oh, Uncle, with a heart full of love
The tireless bird flies from morning to evening
The birds call, their wings spread wide
Thirty-six million birds calling to each other
The birds sing cheerfully overhead
This is the sweet season of our earth
The promise of spring arrives, the flowers are waiting
The warmth of spring from Moscow is here.
The Red River glows golden along the dyke
The smell of fresh hay fills the air, the fields are ripe for harvest
Oh flowers, children of the Fatherland
Father lifts you up, making you flowers to greet Uncle.
Uncle returns, joy fills the air
Uncle kisses the children, smiles with the people
Today, joy doubles:
Uncle returns, bringing spring back to our home.
12-1960
Source: Tố Hữu, Gió lộng, NXB Văn học, 1981
5. Mother Suốt
Listen quietly as Mother recounts her past
The burning midday sun over the sand dunes of Quảng Bình
Mother says: My homeland is Bảo Ninh
The vast ocean waves, the boat drifting across the sea
The tide rises and falls from morning to night
The hardships began when I was just ten
I grew up working for others
For twelve long years, a season of youth lost
Married, with more struggles, children came
Eight births, several miscarriages, what a sorrow!
Thinking of my parents, my heart aches
Feeling for my husband and children, but also for myself...
Now, the rivers and seas come to us
We sail out, our boats coming and going
The sea is vast, the sky is high
The fish and shrimp are thriving, all is full of life!
My husband joins his comrades, “marching out”
I’m also ready, volunteering for service
One hand at the helm of the ferry
At the Nhật Lệ River dock, soldiers cross night and day
What are waves and storms? Our victory is certain!
The enemy has been defeated, and now we are unafraid!
Why mention my old age?
I still row the boat, racing against time!
With my head held high, my hair sways in the wind
The breeze ripples, like the waves crashing along the shore...
How brave are you, Mother?
Mother says: To save the country, what do we wait for?
It’s not just the sons, the daughters must act too
At sixty, I still have the skill to guide the boat
Even if enemy planes shoot all day long
I’ll keep ferrying, rain or shine...
I leaned in, curiously asking:
Why does your husband agree to let you row the boat?
Mother smiled: A man’s words are firm, but he bends
When it comes to sailing, he dares, but I am not as reckless!
Hearing this, he agreed with a smile
I left, telling the children at the riverbank:
“Watch out for strong waves and fierce winds”
What a joyous tale of love and duty
The midday sun on the Quảng Bình dunes is also warm...
4-11-1965
Source: Tố Hữu, Ra trận, NXB Văn học, 1972
6. Visiting Ba Vì Camp
At the beginning of the year, I visited Ba Vì Camp,
Where cattle graze contentedly, surrounded by lush green grass.
The cows, as large as young elephants,
It’s a new, unfamiliar sight that makes my eyes widen in wonder.
The clear waters of Hồ Suối Hai sparkle,
While Tản Viên Mountain stands magnificently, as though painted against the sky.
A wave of emotions stirs, thinking of the four corners of the earth,
And my heart longs for the distant lands of Cuba...
1-1-1972
Source: Tố Hữu, Blood and Flowers, NXB Tác phẩm mới, 1977
7. The Flute of Ly Quê
Ly Quê on the cannon’s muzzle,
As beautiful as an immortal child from Bồng Lai.
The moonlight sneaks down through the deep forest,
The mountain path stretches endlessly, rocks scattered along the way.
The Red Army, lost in the rivers and lakes,
Stops tonight by the babbling stream.
Tonight feels like many evenings before,
The two birds stand on the mountain ridge, gazing into the distance.
Ly Quê lifts the bamboo flute,
Playing the International Anthem under the Red Army flag.
The Red Army rests by the stream, massaging their feet,
Feet sore and bleeding, the Red Army has no shoes!
They left from distant Jiangxi,
Crossing thousands of miles, enduring endless days and nights of the Long March.
Despite climbing mountains and crossing rivers,
Their lips sing the red flag’s vow of resolve.
Bravery is tested through the rugged terrain,
Each step they take is a pledge to return in triumph.
The flute sings sweetly through the air,
Guiding the Red Army with its echoing call.
The flute plays near and far,
Urging the footsteps of the soldiers onward.
Ly Quê rests upon the cannon’s muzzle,
Listening to the bird sing from the heart of a blue sky.
1938
Ly Quê was the name of a young, heroic boy who accompanied the Chinese Red Army during the Long March. He often played the flute for the soldiers along the way. (Source: the major report “Red China on the Road” by American writer Smidley)
Source: Tố Hữu, From Then On, NXB Văn học, 1959
8. Who is the poet Tố Hữu?
Poet Tố Hữu, born Nguyễn Kim Thành, is one of the most renowned poets of Vietnam in the 20th century. He was born on October 4, 1920, and passed away on December 9, 2002. Tố Hữu is known for his revolutionary-themed poetry that reflects the spirit of the nation. He was one of the leading voices in revolutionary literature, capturing the lives and struggles of the people during the French and American wars.
His famous poetry collections include “From Then On,” “Việt Bắc,” “To My Southern Sister,” and “Going to War.” Tố Hữu’s work is praised for blending traditional poetic forms with revolutionary content, while deeply expressing the emotions and thoughts of the people during pivotal historical moments.
9. Tố Hữu's Writing Style?
The writing style of Tố Hữu, a prominent poet in Vietnamese literature, is characterized by several key features:
- Simple but profound language: Tố Hữu used clear, straightforward language that was accessible to a wide audience, yet his words carried deep layers of meaning and emotion. His language was deeply nationalistic, while also conveying sincere and heartfelt feelings.
- Social realism: Tố Hữu’s poetry often reflects social realities, particularly during significant periods in Vietnam’s history such as the wars against France and America, and the building of socialism. His works portray both the suffering and the hope of the people during these turbulent times.
- Political and revolutionary themes: His work is strongly marked by his revolutionary ideals and patriotism. He frequently wrote about the struggles for national liberation, the victories, and important historical figures.
- Lyrical and romantic quality: Although his work primarily dealt with political and social themes, Tố Hữu’s poetry retains a strong lyrical and romantic quality. He skillfully combined political messages with personal emotions, making his poetry both powerful and moving.
- Rich national imagery and symbolism: Tố Hữu often incorporated national and cultural symbols in his work, making his poetry resonate deeply with readers and ensuring it connected with the Vietnamese populace.
- Poetic form: He employed various poetic forms, from traditional six-eight meter to free verse, and was known for his use of rhythm and sound to heighten the emotional impact of his poetry.
Tố Hữu’s style not only reflects the thoughts and feelings of a generation but also contributed to shaping the style of revolutionary poetry in Vietnamese literature.
10. Việt Bắc
When I return, will you remember me?
Fifteen years, full of passion and warmth.
Will you remember or not
When you see the trees remembering the mountains, the rivers remembering their source?
Whose voice calls so wistfully by the sandbank?
A heavy heart, uneasy steps as I walk.
The indigo shirt marks the moment of parting.
What do we say, holding hands today?
When I leave, do you remember the days
When the rains swelled the rivers, and the mists were thick?
When I return, do you recall the battlefields,
The meals of rice and salt, the weight of old grudges?
When I return, will the mountains and forests remember?
Chestnuts falling, bamboo shoots aging.
When I leave, do you remember the homes
With their gray thatched roofs, but hearts full of loyalty?
Do you still remember the mountains, the peaks?
Remember the time we fought the Japanese, when Vietnam was still united under the Viet Minh?
Do you remember when I left, and the hearts of Tân Trào, Hồng Thái, and the banyan trees waved goodbye?
We, together, our hearts remain steadfast.
When I leave, will I remember myself?
The rivers flow to their sources, just as loyalty flows deep.
Do you remember like you would remember a lover?
The moon rises over the mountain peaks, the afternoon sun kisses the fields.
Do you recall the smoke-filled villages, the morning and evening by the hearth?
Do you remember the groves of bamboo, the streams and rivers, full and empty?
I go, and I remember those days
When we were together, sharing joys and sorrows...
Sharing our cassava, our rice, together under the same roof.
Do you remember the mother, her back scorched by the sun,
Carrying her child up the fields, picking the corn?
Do you remember our first lessons, the late-night lanterns lighting the way during festivals?
Do you remember the days at the office, despite hardships, the song of life echoed across the mountains?
Do you recall the sound of the jungle drums at dusk,
The steady rhythm of the millstone in the quiet of the night?
As I return, will you remember me?
Do you recall the flowers and the people?
The jungle blooms red with banana flowers, the mountain peak shines under the light of the sword belt.
Spring comes, the forest turns white with the blossoms.
Do you remember the girl weaving bamboo hats by herself?
The autumn moon over the peaceful forest,
The sound of a song full of loyalty and affection.
Do you remember the time we fought, when the enemy came?
The trees and mountains stood with us, protecting us against the French.
The mountains formed iron fortresses, the forest hid our soldiers, surrounding the enemy from all sides.
The mist swirled around us, the whole sky was our battlefield.
Do you remember the way back? Can you hear the sound of the drums?
We return, we remember the lands of Phủ Thông and the mountain pass of Giàng.
Do you remember the Lô River, the street of Ràng?
From Cao Lạng to Nhị Hà, all our paths led us to victory.
The roads of Việt Bắc echo with our steps
As soldiers march in unison, the stars shine above, and we carry our battle flags high.
The people march with torches, their steps pounding the earth, leaving sparks flying through the air.
After a thousand nights in the thick mist,
The headlights shine brightly, heralding a new dawn.
The news of victory spread across the country,
From Hoà Bình to Tây Bắc, and Điện Biên.
From Đồng Tháp to An Khê, joy spread from Việt Bắc to the mountains of De and Hồng.
Do you remember, do you hear the sound of the flag waving in the wind?
The midday sun shines brightly, lighting up the hills of Việt Bắc.
The central government discusses strategies, planning for the winter campaigns.
The people are mobilized, roads are built, and agricultural work is expanded.
The soldiers' swords are sharp, ready for the next battle.
When the enemy threatens, we turn to Việt Bắc, where Uncle Hồ's light shines bright.
Through hardships and suffering, we remember the strength of our people.
Fifteen years ago, who could forget
The land of the revolution, where the republic was born?
When I return, will I remember the old homes?
The roofs of Hồng Thái and the banyan tree in Tân Trào?
The river flows to its source, and the clouds return to the mountains.
When I return, I bring with me the spirit of the homeland.
The buffaloes are back in the fields, the land is once again lush with green.
As the river flows, the memories remain unchanged.
The days may pass, but the love for the homeland endures, ever-strong, ever-lasting.
We remember the hard work and love of the people, who fought for independence.
As I return to the city, will I see the mountains and hills?
Amid the hustle of the city, will I still remember the mountain villages?
As I walk the busy streets, I ask: When will Việt Bắc feel the joy once more?
The road back is close, but every step is filled with memories.
Tomorrow, I will return to the village, and the love for the old hills will live on.
Tomorrow, the mountains will echo with the sounds of life, as we move forward together.
From the mines of Phấn Mễ to the city of Cao Bằng, the streets are alive with prosperity.
The school roofs shine brightly, and the market thrives with energy.
The salt of Thái Bình and the sugarcane of Thanh are sent to every corner of the land.
The baskets of Hương Canh, the bricks from Bát Tràng, the fabrics of Nam Định and Hà Đông—all carry the spirit of our people.
The days of spring and the songs of unity will never fade.
The mountains and rivers will forever remain, as will the bonds we share with the land.
In every corner of the country, the voice of Hồ will continue to inspire us.
May the memories of our struggles and victories echo for generations to come, as the love for our homeland grows ever deeper.
As I return, I bring with me the love and hope of our people, and together, we shall sing in unison, honoring the work of the revolution.
October 1954
The Battle of Điện Biên Phủ ended in victory in May 1954. In July 1954, the Geneva Accords were signed, marking the end of the war in Indochina. Peace was restored, and North Vietnam was liberated. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the country. In October 1954, the resistance fighters returned to the plains, and the Central Party and Government left the revolutionary base of Việt Bắc to return to the capital. This historical moment inspired the creation of the poem 'Việt Bắc' by Tố Hữu. The poem consists of two parts: the first recalls the memories of the revolution and resistance, while the second looks forward to the bright future of the nation and praises the Party and President Hồ Chí Minh.
This excerpt from the poem, up to the line 'Mái đình Hồng Thái, cây đa Tân Trào,' was included in the Vietnamese Literature curriculum for grades 12 during the 1990-2006 period, and in the Literature textbooks from 2007 onwards.
Source:
1. Tố Hữu, Việt Bắc, Literature Publishing House, 1962
2. Poetry by Tố Hữu, Education Publishing House, 2003
11. Dear Mother
Who will visit my mother back home?
This evening, a child far away silently remembers...
Mother, are you feeling cold?
The wind blows gently from the mountains, light rain falling.
Mother, out in the field, are you trembling?
With your feet in the mud, your hands planting young rice.
How many bundles of rice have you planted, mother?
My heart aches for you, thinking of me.
The drizzle soaks your traditional dress,
Every raindrop mirrors the love you have for me.
Mother, morning and evening,
Don’t worry too much about me, I’ll be fine!
I travel through mountains and valleys,
But it’s nothing compared to the deep ache in your heart.
I fought in the war for ten years,
But it’s not as hard as your sixty years of struggle.
I went to the front, far away from home,
But my love for you and for the country remains strong.
Don’t worry, mother, I am safe,
I am the soldier, but you are the one I will always honor.
Though I may be far, you’re always near,
My comrades are like brothers, and I carry you with me.
Mother, I love you, and I also love my comrades,
Your love for me extends to all my friends.
Mother, you are the heartbeat of my soul,
With you, I feel at home, among the people.
Though I face hardship, every step I take,
I feel your love surrounding me, always with me!
Countless elderly women, kind like mothers,
They love me as if I were their own child.
They give me food, clothes, and shelter,
They warm my heart, they let me rest.
I am growing, and I leave you behind,
But my heart aches for you, sitting at home, missing me!
Don’t be sad, mother,
The war will end, and I will return, soon to be with you again.
With your hair turning gray,
Tonight, I’m sure you’ll hear my silent thoughts calling out to you...
1948
Source: Tố Hữu, Viet Bac, Literature Publishing House, 1962
12. When the Cuckoo Calls
When the cuckoo calls its flock,
The autumn rice ripens, and the fruits sweeten.
The garden hums with the sound of cicadas singing,
The corn turns golden, its seeds filling the sunlit yard.
The sky is wide, more expansive than ever,
Two kites soar and tumble, spinning through the air...
I feel the summer stirring in my heart,
And I long to run, to break free from this room, oh summer.
How suffocating it is, how painful it feels,
The cuckoo keeps calling outside, relentless and loud!
Hue, July 1939
The poem 'When the Cuckoo Calls' was written during the author’s imprisonment at Thua Phu prison, shortly after his arrest.
Source:
1. Tố Hữu, Từ ấy, Literature Publishing House, Hanoi, 1971
2. Tố Hữu's Poetry, Education Publishing House, 2003
3. Selected Vietnamese Literature (Vol. 7: Literature from 1900-1945), National Center for Social Sciences and Humanities, Social Sciences Publishing House, 2004
