A house without a flag on Tet holiday feels incomplete and uneasy.
Every time Tet comes, spring comes, when the cold winds blow through every street, I am moved by the image of the national flags fluttering in the early morning sun. From the busy main roads to the small alleys, everywhere is brilliant with red and yellow. The flag is not simply a symbol of a country, but also the embodiment of patriotism, pride and memories deeply attached to the heart of every Vietnamese person.
In the last days of the year, when spring has just arrived, people are busy decorating their houses and preparing for Tet. The image of red flags with yellow stars hanging up makes the spring atmosphere even warmer. On the balcony, in front of the porch, on the roof or outside the gate, each family hangs a bright red flag. In the morning sunlight, the flag flutters gently as if whispering New Year wishes.
I clearly remember the late afternoons of the year standing with my father in front of the house. My father, a man who has gone through many springs in his life, carefully took the flag out of the closet and smoothed each fold. “This flag must be clean and neat, because it is the pride of the whole nation,” my father said, his eyes shining with solemnity. I still remember my father’s calloused hands holding the flag, the look he gave it as if he was placing all his faith and pride in a sacred symbol.
When the flag is raised, I often stand still and watch, feeling its movement in the wind. Under the flag, I see the silhouette of an entire nation that has gone through difficult years to preserve its independence. I imagine the soldiers of the past who once carried this flag into the battlefield, deeply engraved in their hearts the two words “Fatherland”. The flag is not only associated with the blood and tears of many previous generations, but is also the connecting thread between the past, present and future.
Not only in my family, I also saw the image of flags flying on every street, every residential area. The whole neighborhood seemed to put on a new look, bright and full of life. The flags are not only national symbols, but also a gentle reminder that we are living together, sharing the joy of spring on this land.
Once, I came across an old man who was weak but still tried to hang the flag in front of his house. His hands were shaking but his eyes were full of determination. When the flag was hung straight, he sat down on a chair, smiling with satisfaction. I approached him and asked, he said: "On Tet holiday, if the house does not hang the flag, it feels lacking, not at peace." In that simple sentence, I felt a deep pride, a wordless but sincere and touching love for the country.
Not only the national flag, the Party flag is also solemnly present in the spring days. It is a symbol of leadership, of the revolutionary path that the country has persistently pursued for decades. The two flags, one red with a yellow star, the other red with a hammer and sickle, fly side by side, as a firm affirmation that our nation always looks forward to a bright, sustainable future.
When night falls, the street lights illuminate the flags, creating a shimmering and emotional scene. I love the feeling of walking down the streets during Tet, looking up at the flags in the dim light. They are like guiding torches, carrying the faith, hope and aspirations of the whole nation.
The flag is not only present on Tet holiday, but also appears on other important occasions, but perhaps on the first day of spring, its appearance has a special meaning. It is associated with the beginning, with the wish for a peaceful and prosperous new year. In the spring breeze, the flag seems to bless every citizen, every family across the S-shaped land.
When I grew up, every time I saw the red flags with yellow stars flying in the spring breeze, I remembered my father and the memories of my childhood on the porch. I also silently promised to preserve and pass on my love and pride for the flag and the Fatherland to future generations. Because loving the Fatherland is not just about flowery words, but also about small but meaningful actions like hanging the flag every time Tet comes.
The bright red flags in the spring sunshine are not only an image, but also a symbol of a resilient, peace-loving nation that always strives for good values. The national flag and the Party flag, at all times, are the pride of every Vietnamese person - the embodiment of the beloved motherland, of the unshakable bond between each individual and the Fatherland.
And in the gentle breath of spring, those flags remind us that, no matter where we go or what we do, every Vietnamese person shares a common home - their homeland.
DUC ANH