Hanoi in autumn

It is the figure of a veteran with white hair, wearing a uniform that has faded over the years, slowly walking along the road with a sparkling medal on his chest. It is the happy smile of a young mother taking her child to take a souvenir photo at Uncle Ho's Mausoleum.

And there are also the graceful ao dai fluttering in the early morning wind, the young women of Hanoi gently lifting the national flag, their eyes shining with faith and pride.

From all the central streets such as Hung Vuong, Dien Bien Phu, Trang Tien, Hang Bong, Kim Ma... to the familiar small alleys of the cultural capital, everywhere is brilliant with flags, banners, and slogans welcoming the National Day September 2. That space is both beautiful and touches the deepest soul of every citizen and awakens the endless pride in independence, freedom, peace , the sacred values that our ancestors exchanged with their blood and bones.

“I, like many other people, was moved and choked up when I saw the red flag with the yellow star flying on Independence Day. It was a source of boundless pride and happiness,” said Nguyen Thanh Tiep (70 years old, in Ba Dinh ward, Hanoi ) with a trembling voice.

For Mr. Tiep and many other people, National Day September 2 is not just a great holiday, but the climax of the moment when the hearts of all Vietnamese people beat together in love for the country.

These days, people from all over the country are pouring into the capital. Some people travel long distances from the mountains, some families from the sea travel all night, and tens of thousands of people stay up all night in the rain waiting for the moment the military parade marches through the streets of Hanoi.

Mr. Le Xuan Thang, a veteran in Vinh Linh, who is nearly 80 years old this year, shared: "If I cannot attend this day, I will be very sad, so I have to go at all costs."

In that bustling flow, the hospitality of Hanoians shines like a natural beauty in the midst of the country's joyful day. The training sessions, preliminary rehearsals, then the general rehearsals, the parades, and marches are unforgettable for many people because not only do they see the strong, heroic footsteps of the army passing through the streets, but they also experience the warm gestures of Hanoians.

On many streets, it is easy to come across places that give away free national flags, drinks, bread, and fans. Everything is simple but full of sincerity, enough to warm the heart of anyone who sets foot in Hanoi these days.

Along the streets of Nguyen Thai Hoc, Kim Ma, Trang Thi, Hang Khay, etc., there are houses that always have their doors open, ready to invite strangers to rest, have a meal, or even sleep over so they can go out early in the morning to watch the parade.

There are shops that are closed, with folding chairs, cold drinks, cakes, and a simple sign: “Free, anyone who needs it can use it.” From these little things, the distance between strangers and acquaintances seems to disappear, leaving only abundant human love.

For veteran Hoang Van Phu (75 years old, from Nghe An province), the precious feelings of Hanoi people towards people everywhere on Independence Day moved him as much as the majestic parade.

“It’s wonderful, the people of Hanoi are very open, everyone always shares and helps each other. Elderly people and veterans like us are warmly welcomed wherever we go,” Mr. Phu confided.

Amidst the autumn colors of Hanoi on the great day, each stream of people seemed to join in one step. Even though they did not know each other, they still felt close and intimate as if they had been attached for generations in their love for the country. National Day is not only a historical milestone, but also the resonant melody of millions of Vietnamese hearts, resounding with pride and imbued with affection.

For Hanoi - the place where many heroic pages of history began, that sacredness quietly shines from simple acts of kindness, creating a historical autumn filled with humanity, deeply ingrained in memory, unforgettable.

NATIONAL DAY

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ha-noi-trong-sac-thu-post811272.html