No more two hometowns...

Although separated by an administrative border, Quang Binh and Quang Tri (old) are still two sources of intertwined culture in the Central region. The similarities in geography, history, and people have soon created strong, faithful "relationships". Families of "two hometowns", children of Quang Tri (old) settling down in Quang Binh considered (old), hearts that have never each other as strangers... all contribute to creating a natural closeness between the two lands. And when the administrative border is erased, that connection becomes even deeper and more complete.

Three-generation family of Mr. Van Ngoc Than - Photo: GĐCC

The relationship

In a spacious house in Dong Thuan ward, Quang Tri province, Van Ngoc Son (born in 1973) slowly turned over a family album with worn edges. Gently stroking the black and white photos recording the youth of his father, Van Ngoc Than (born in 1935), Son's voice was full of pride: "My father was originally from Hai Lang, Quang Tri (old), and was a cadre who gathered in the North during the anti-French period. Many people returned after liberation, but my father chose Quang Binh , the place that took him in, as a place to stop and contribute. He used to be the Deputy Director of Quang Binh Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company. The land of "Lao wind and white sand" has become his second homeland, marking many important events in his life."

During his years living and working in Quang Binh, Mr. Than met, fell in love with and married a girl from the "Hai Gioi" land, Lam Thi Thanh Tung (born in 1937). They had 5 children together, Mr. Son was the only son. In 2011, Mr. Son married Ms. Tran Thanh Binh, a gentle and virtuous girl from Quang Binh. His small family continues to be the link connecting the two lands.

For him, the merger of the two provinces is not only a change of boundaries, but also a confirmation of the many years his family has lived between the two homelands. “Many generations of my family have lived, worked, and loved both of these lands. Now that they are one province, I believe everything will be more favorable, more connected, and more delightful,” Son expressed.

For Ms. Le Thi Phung (born in 1964) in Residential Group 14, Dong Thuan Ward, the merger of the two provinces of Quang Binh and Quang Tri was an emotional “milestone”, as a full response to the faithful marriage she had maintained for nearly 4 decades. During her youth, the female student from Gio My, Gio Linh, Quang Tri (old) met and fell in love with a police officer from Quang Binh who was on duty in the ancient capital.

And in 1987, they officially became husband and wife. In 1990, Ms. Phung followed her husband to Quang Binh as a daughter-in-law. Life at that time was full of hardships, but the affection and care of the Quang Binh people made her feel loved and protected. "Being a daughter-in-law of Quang Binh for 38 years, I have never felt like I was from a "different country". I see that the people of Quang Binh and Quang Tri are not much different, they are also honest, deep, and loving with all their hearts. Now hearing the news of the merger, I am as happy as if I were returning home, no longer a "daughter-in-law of a foreign land", but... a member of the same family", Ms. Phung said emotionally.

Traveling across Quang Binh, it is not difficult to come across families with Quang Tri roots settling down and making a living. Together they weave a common home, where Quang Binh and Quang Tri are no longer two provinces, but two flowing together in love and marital affection streams. Marriages between Quang Binh husbands and Quang Tri wives or vice versa have contributed to creating "two-homeland families", strong, loyal, and full of affection. There, the merger does not cause separation or disruption but creates resonance, attachment and companionship.

"The Quang Tri Association in Quang Binh was established in 2012, with about 50 members. To date, after more than 13 years of operation, the number of members has increased to 450, mainly in Bo Trach, Quang Ninh and Dong Hoi City (old). The association operates on a voluntary basis, with funding contributed by members themselves," said Tran Van Luan, Chairman of the Quang Tri Association in Quang Binh.

Love beyond borders

To create cohesion, the children of Quang Tri living, working and studying in Quang Binh gathered together and established the Quang Tri Fellow Countrymen Association (OS) in Quang Binh. Amidst the many changes of the times, the association still quietly plays the role of a "bridge" connecting the children far from home, so that despite the geographical distance or busy life, they still have a place to return to, to share and preserve the identity of their homeland.

Wedding photo of Mrs. Le Thi Phung and her husband - Photo: GĐCC

After more than 13 years of establishment and development, the association is not only a common home full of love but also a place to spread humanistic values, imbued with the spirit of compatriots. Mr. Tran Van Luan, Chairman of the association shared: "Quang Tri people are resilient and simple. No matter where they go or what they do, they still yearn for their homeland and ancestral land. Therefore, the association not only helps people meet and visit each other in times of difficulty and adversity, but also organizes charitable activities such as: visiting the homeland during holidays and Tet; supporting people affected by natural disasters; encouraging learning and talent...".

Every year, on the occasion of National Day September 2 or the traditional New Year, the association organizes meetings to reminisce about the homeland, exchange words of encouragement, connect generations and foster pride in the heroic homeland of Quang Tri. What is special is that in recent years, the association has also promoted the role of a "bridge" between the two localities, connecting information, sharing job opportunities, coordinating support for students in difficult circumstances. Many members who are sons-in-law and daughters-in-law of Quang Binh have become active factors in the association's activities, contributing to erasing local boundaries and strengthening the close relationship.

The merger of Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces, in addition to the meaning of an administrative change, is also a natural connection of human love and cultural sources that have long been blended. In that context, the role of Quang Tri People's Council in Quang Binh becomes even more important, as a spiritual support, a symbol of the aspiration to accompany and develop together for a "big house", with no more distance between the two provinces.

Peace of Mind

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/khong-con-hai-que-195544.htm