BÀI VIẾT CỦA THÍ SINH ĐẠT GIẢI
Key – Number: 133
Full Name: Tran Thi An Giang
Address: Freshman of foreign trade department, Hanoi Foreign Trade University.
FIRST PRIZE
Topic: Introduce your hometown to a friend or a foreiner who is visting Quang Binh
My Composition
A few days ago, Daisy, my long-known penfriend, visited Vietnam. She is from a remote country, The United States of America. Taking such a long trip to Vietnam, Daisy wants to see how this country is developing during the peacetime apart from keeping the promise to visit me. Her journey began in Quang Binh, my homeland, and I introduced her a lot about Quang Binh: nature, people and its present development. I brought her to different places: from the coastal area to the mountainous one, from the city to the countryside. Wherever we passed, we had unforgettable experiences and significant images.
The first destination I introduced to Daisy was Quang Binh’s beaches. Quang Binh has a long coastal line and is famous for many beautiful seas such as Nhat Le, Da Nhay, Bao Ninh,ect. which are the ideal places for a summer holiday. Reaching a fishermen’s village on an early morning, Daisy and I were attracted to the splendid scenery of the seaside. We stretched ourselves on the silky sands, enjoyed the fresh air and watched the sunrise in the east. Some cool winds blew by, bringing along the particular salty smell of the sea. The waves together rushed to the shore, leaving the white foam on the sands. We both played with waves, ran on the beach and shouted joyfully in the open air. In the distance, slowly came into view some fishing boats. A crowd of women were waiting for them on the shore in the hope of a full cabin of fish. Then, Daisy had a chance of seeing fishermen carry their products to the land. They worked properly, hurriedly and noisily. The boos, shouts and the sound of quarreling together livened up the quiet space of the seaside in the early morning. Daisy paid much attention to the manual labourers, feeling a bit confused. I somewhat understood her confusion. She might have never seen these sights in her country, where most of the production is automated. Leaving her free of thoughts and observation, I added that sea is the main source to provide the fishermen with food. Owe to the sea, successive fishermen generations have been bred, remained and developed. I also showed her the residents’ daily activities, told her how they have coped with the hard living conditions of the region in the tropical climate. The natural picture was fantastic because of its original beauty but the human beings’ sight was sad because of the abject poverty.
Our next destination was a peaceful village in the countryside. I thought Vietnamese rural area would give Daisy some interesting discoveries. Actually, she was extremely fond of wandering along the narrow path across the paddy field under the summer gentle sunshine. Blasts of Lao wind blew into our faces, giving Daisy an unpleasant feeling. I explained to her that Lao wind is a particular type of wind appearing in the mid-central Vietnam in summer. Quang Binh is one of the places where Lao wind blows most terribly. It comes from Indian Ocean, travels through the Asian countries and surpasses the Anamite range to Vietnam. After a long trip, it gradually loses moisture and becomes dry and hot. Therefore, this wind type is a threat to the living creature here, even the human beings. In spite of such serious conditions, everything develops strongly. I showed Daisy the green trees and cheerful labourers on the fields. It was at the beginning of the rice crop, farmers were busy cultivating the land and scattering the first seeds for growth. Being so curious with the farming process, Daisy could not help coming closer to see the view more clearly. Men were directing the buffaloes, ploughing furrows ready for planting. Women were sowing rice on the next fields. They totally dedicated themselves to their work. Beads of sweat dropped down fertilizing the land. Their bodies were covered with mud but they always gave happy smiles on their faces. Apparently, hard life does not matter with these indomitable people. They are determined to overcome all difficulties simply because they cannot tolerate the notion of defeat. It is Quang Binh people’s enormous strength growing in harsh times, both during and after the war.
Leaving the countryside, we continued our journey in some famous places in Quang Binh. I led Daisy to Dong Hoi city, the chief town of Quang Binh, located on the poetic Nhat Le river. Dong Hoi is on its way to development with a lot of construction plans and transportation systems. It has a proud history of establishment dating from the end of 19th century. Dong Hoi used to be considered to be a “small Paris” or “the town of roses” by a lot of Vietnamese and French reporters. Demolished seriously with tons of bomb during the war, the city now is really reviving, and even more developed than before. We visited other historical places in Quang Binh including The Thầy Rampart, The Gianh River, Mother Suot’s monument, ect. which symbolise Quang Binh people’s fighting for the national defense during hundreds of years. Each of them contains an interesting story about the past or commemorates the great Quang Binh men. Daisy was really moved at the story about Mother Suot, the Vietnamese heroic woman experiencing the Vietnam patriotic war (1954-1975). Then, Quang Binh was one of the places suffering the most intense bombardment of the enemy. Mother Suot didn’t care for the danger of massive bombs raining down, sailing the boat carrying soldiers on duty across the river. Nowadays, Mother Suot’s monument is the Quang Binh people’s recognition of her devotion and reminds younger generations to be grateful to the older ones who saved and built their hometown. I also showed Daisy the cultural and historical traditions which have been formed, developed and preserved by many generations. Our excursion was lastly finished at Phong Nha Caves, the symbol of Quang Binh’s tourism. Daisy was really overwhelmed at the dreamy beauty of the “number-one wonder Phong Nha”. After a day of visiting this fairy land, we came home with the pleasure of an exciting trip.
The tour around Quang Binh with Daisy ended. It was time for her to say goodbye to me and continue her discovery of other regions in Vietnam. She might have her own impressions, both positive and negative sides, on this land and its dauntless people. Seeing her off at the station, I wanted to tell her that “what I have introduced you is about an undeveloped Quang Binh, but the backwardness is only temporary. Please look at Quang Binh people and their potential strength, you will be optimistic about a future modern and prosperous province. ”.
The composition above is only my imagination about a trip around Quang Binh with a foreign friend. It is my great love for this land that has encouraged me to introduce about it. Quang Binh people with precious characteristics like diligence, resolution and perseverance are strong enough to overcome any difficulty and poverty to lead their province to a bright future. As a Quang Binh citizen, I am aware of my province’s situation and try my best to have much contribution to its development. My present main duty is to complete my study at school adequately to get an opportunity of higher education abroad. After that, I will return the hometown and make my dream come true: open a private tourism company to promote the potentiality of tourism of this land. I hope there will be more and more visitors to Quang Binh in several years because it is a famous place-name on the map then
Key – Number: 98
Full Name: Nguyen Thi Thanh Bình
Address: The 2nd Year Student, Viet Nam Aviation Academy
FIRST PRIZE
Topic: Write about your past experience(s) in Quang Binh and how it shaped who you are.
Last night, I had an extraordinary dream. I was on a coastal road and it took me to the place I belong to. It is my beloved Quang Binh homeland that has haunted me like a passion because I got beautiful days with many sweet memories engraving on my mind.
I were a little child again, not only stubborn but also mischievous. Throughout the primary education, I learnt at a much unknown, yet special school. It stood in the middle of a rather large area surrounded with sand hills which were covered with vivid green of poplars. Sometimes we shirked school lying under poplar’s shade, hearing wind blowing gently or playing mimic battle. Do you know Dao Duy Tu Rampart? One day, whilst my friends and I were playing on one of the sand hills, we excavated many strange vestiges by chance. Coming home, the little child asked father and he said that it was Dao Duy Tu Rampart, a famous and historical place. I, however, wondered why such a historical remnant was not carefully preserved. We occasionally found bones buried under sand. Naive children wrapped them up neatly, burnt joss-sticks and buried them again. Until now, I am not sure whether our work was good or not, but my belief is that such childhood experiences have made me grateful to the people who lived and died for the motherland’s sake. Thanks to this, I became fond of discovering the history of Viet Nam and the world as well, which gives me a sense of national pride.
One interesting thing was that my Hai Thanh Primary School very near Nhat Le Beach where my childhood was full of nice memories. Every summer afternoon, we chased each other on the beach or built sand castles dreaming of legend characters in fairy tales. On windy days, many kites were created, which naive wishes were written on then flown into the blue sky. In tune with the whole landscape, the sea glides on, sparkling like a silvery carpet. It was too hard to describe the feeling I had on childish face while listening to the sound of the sea. “… It was the look you have when you find something precious you thought you’d lost, the look you have when someone you’ve been waiting for shows up at last, the look you have when, after a long search, you find cool, sweet water in the desert” – “Water in the desert” written by Sue Leather.
If someone asks me where I belong to, I will answer I belong to the sea. As each moment of every day and every night, whenever sorrow or happiness comes, I do nothing but want to return my coastal hometown, recover a peace of mind and scream loudly with great pleasure. In a word, maybe because I have been bound to so many sacred links with the native-land nature for a long time, in some way in some place inside, in the deepest part of my soul, this will be my first destination which I always long for.
In sweet dream, I also saw myself, a junior pupil, wearing a red scarf and riding a bicycle to school fully of eagerness, which gave me a flash of memory of the time when my father bought “Red Scarf” Newspaper for me. Father is my great idol, who advised me to nonstop improve my knowledge and encouraged me to contribute to some newspapers. Never in my life have I forgotten the feeling of the day I got the first royalty from “Red Scarf” Newspaper. In spite of such low 20000 VND royalty, the feeling of happiness made me sing melodiously all day. Do you know this kind of thing was one of the reasons that brought me to a challenging life and helped me become a more active girl? Enthusiastically, I took part in outdoor activities where optimism and open-heartedness were gained. In addition, my confidence built up let me express my personal ideas among people. An idiom goes: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”. Hence, after graduating from secondary school, I adventurously ran a hand-made souvenir business. Many things were learnt from the failure in the first 5-month business of my life. Up to now, supposing that you ask me whether I would do it again if I were a 15-year-old girl, I certainly say “yes” without any hesitation.
Life seems to be a long itinerary, which you have a right to choose your own way. As far as I’m concerned, I choose the way leading me to something I really want to do. Coincidentally, dream took me back to the period of 5 years ago. As a high school student, I was lucky to study at a school where I had many opportunities to develop my lifelong ambition. I screamed happily in silence on the first day we published “New Itinerary” Newspaper – the voice of Quang Binh High School For The Gifted students. At present, I am not major in journalism, but I sometimes write for some magazines. As a result of this, my language and interpersonal skills are improved, which are beneficial things for my future. During high school education, I was more mature owing to these kinds of social activities. What’s more, the love of my family, friends and people surrounding has made me sympathize with the disabled, which urged me to do something for them. As soon as the summer vacation of grade 11 came, I began fulfilling my intention of organizing a rock show to raise money for Quang Binh Victims of Agent Orange. Though at first, many people did not support and even advised me to give it up, I was more determined and was in search of friends whose minds thought alike. Exceeding my expectations, my friends and I organised a show called “Hey U, Rock’’ which raised money for charity. With the success from the first show, the second one was organised a year later at Quang Binh Competition Hall, and the money was raised for Quang Binh Study Promotion Fund. Indeed, these things have had a great significance to me since it was not only for my individual interest but also for the community. As a consequence, I got new friends, new experiences, new challenges, new lessons of teamwork, friendship, patience, event management and so on. More specially, my soul overflowed with wonderful joys up till now I can still feel as if it had just happened yesterday.
During 18 years living in Quang Binh, everything here seemed to press around me and left its mark, deep and eternal, a mark which accompanied me everywhere. Actually, when becoming a student in Ho Chi Minh City, I have not forgotten to remind as a native of Quang Binh. My heart and soul proudly belong to my homeland. Furthermore, the experiences in the past have constituted a great motive for me to make dreams come true. My wish of becoming a public relation officer in aviation never ends. Excitingly, Dong Hoi Airport is going to be near the opening-day and I have had an intention of making marketing plans and setting up the strategies in commercial policy of the civil aviation. I hope my job in future will make for Quang Binh’s development and prosperity. In other words, my place – my Quang Binh where I never forget to tell my friends with my great pride that Quang Binh is my beloved hometown.
To sum up, the strange dream brought back lively memories of 18 unforgettable years in my hometown and impelled me to greater efforts.
As a rule, I love my Quang Binh in a simple and sincere meaning. Thinking of it, I myself wrote a poem named “On the way home market-train trip” on my way home 2 years ago to express my feelings:
On the way home market-train trip
A cheap train trip in a life rhythm of rush
Which all and sundry saved money on
Stopped at every train-stop
Giving place to such expensive SE, TN, E
Which oodles of people never reached
The train-whistle was full of tiredness
As a man went on hunger strike 3 days ago,
Chased after a new version Ford car begging for food.
No man nor woman liked such weary smell
Except her who was glad to sit long on such train trips.
She loved the smell of simplicity;
Loved the noise of market trains;
Loved the density of one-by-one
Elbowing others out on peak season;
Loved the hard of wood benches without mattress;
Loved the parched sometimes disgusting odour of ammoniac;
Loved “Banh Loc”* of an old cheap-jack woman;
Loved the coolness of the high winds blowing and beating in train windows;
Loved the punctuality of people rarely rich enough to buy first-class ticket
Loved so many more simple and plain things belong to cheap market trains
Cause’ for her – Love meant Hope…
* A famous dish in middle coast, especially in Quang Binh
I mean that I love the familiarity and the simplicity of Quang Binh, where I was born and grew up, where I was held safe in its arms, where I was nurtured to become a person with a simple longing is to do something better for my still poor homeland. Because for me, love means hope.
Key-Number: 29
Full name: Ha Tran Thi Thu
Class: A1 High Quality – Business Administration – K46.Foreign Trade Universiy, Hanoi.
Second Prize
Topic: What do you think Quangbinh would look like five years from now?
It is not easy to imagine what Quangbinh would look like in five years to come. Would it advance by leaps and bounds like Japan or would it change out of recognition for the better like Da Nang city for the past five years? As a matter for speculation, Quangbinh will introduce a political socialization, a competitive economic system, an improved education system and a culture change in 2013.
One of the most spectacular things is that there will be political innovations in five years to come. It is the emergence of young leaders that can bring progress and prosperity to Quangbinh. The young 7X and 8X leaders are expected to guide our homeland to overcome poverty and unemployment by their professional skills and commitment. New leadership generations have the self-confidence to listen to and discuss people’s points of view as well as having the courage to act boldly with due regard for principles and convictions. As a consequence, people will become more involved in the activity of the government. We will be invited to participate actively in formulating and adopting government policies. It may come up to our expectations of realizing our own aims and objectives. Furthermore, there will be a good chance of university graduates returning to Quangbinh to make a living. This results from the government’s giving students career opportunities in our own hometown. No matter how hard it is, such special privileges can be used to exploit the potential human resources.
Moreover, the year 2013 will foresee constant innovations in three sectors of the Quangbinh economy. Firstly, agriculture will be noticeably improved. With the help of science, our farmers will double the yield in agriculture output. Farming will also be mechanized and will considerably lessen hardship and labour. As a result, more people will work in the commercial services as well as other fields like education, health care, leisure, tourism, etc. With the advent of a wide choice of shops, restaurants and offices, there will be more jobs for the local residents. Recently, a lot of business groups in Quangbinh have required capital for their businesses, which leads to the foundation of many commercial and investment banks. Commercial banks are businesses that trade in money. They receive and hold deposits, pay money according to customers’ instructions, lend money, offer investment advice, exchange foreign currencies, and so on. On the contrary, investment banks mainly act as intermediaries offering advisory services. Investment banks also raise funds for industry, issue and underwrite securities, deal with takeovers and mergers and issue government bonds. Accordingly, the banking market will be expected to benefit our economy. As regards health care service, local hospitals will be upgraded with new and improved medical equipment, so patients will be treated instantly without resorting to big hospitals in other cities in case of emergency. In addition, tourism business promises an increase in annual revenue. Until 2013, Quangbinh will be a tourist attraction famous for a pristine beauty, an open elegance and a relaxed lifestyle. Phong Nha cave, Nhat Le beach, etc...will be the promised destinations for both tourists and investors.
Educational reform will also be of great concern to the whole community. Firstly, students can benefit from the new education system, in which they are offered adequate educational facilities. Gone are the days when 40 or 50 students were packed in a damp and narrow room. Instead, they will have a chance to study in well-equipped classrooms and laboratories. Over the years, a lot of our books are outdated, for example, the 10th and 11th editions are almost identical to the 7th or 8th editions, which poses the challenging question that is how our students could keep up with the rapid development of the global pace. In the future, the government is supposed to give price support and improve the quality of textbooks. Secondly, teaching and learning methods will be changed. Students’ abilities will be assessed by their performance during the course, not just by test scores. They will be encouraged to think creatively, to work in groups and to express their opinions freely. Thirdly, universities and colleges will have the freedom to provide course curriculum tailored to the needs of the local business. No longer will the government interfere directly in the universities’ work. It’s up to the government to offer teachers higher salary because with their low income level, they always must try their best to make ends meet. In 2013, parental involvement will also be necessary to make sure their children understand the value of a good education. A lot of parents do not stress the importance of education and no wonder their children drop out or do not perform to the best of their abilities.
Last but not least, our culture will undergo a tide of radical change five years from now. As our quality of life is improving, traditional community activities such as regattas, folk festivals or harvest festivals will be held more regularly to meet our spiritual needs. These will be good opportunities for people to get together and bond. However, the popularity of mass media may have an overwhelming influence on our lifestyle, especially on the young’s. This may either provide adolescents with access to update information or make them become just pale imitations of some celebrities on TV, on the Internet and in the press. Inevitably, there will be a generation gap between the old and the young. Young people, myself included, are more open-minded to the changing values. We desire to search for our own identity and we request the pleasure of our peers’ company more than the influence of parents.
Meanwhile, the old are less tolerant of other people’s choices and more concerned about what other people think of them. Besides, the extended family may almost disappear. In the rat race to earn their living, parents would rather have fewer children, which enables them to bring up their children better. In particular, children of ethnic minorities will have more chance to go to school and join social activities.
To sum up, there are hundreds of things that we cannot foresee at the moment. Nevertheless, I believe our homeland will gain comprehensive innovations in politics, economy education and culture. What matters is the way we take so as to have beneficial changes. From my point of view, I would follow the Swede’s lead: “ If we are bound to choose between the two roads, we will choose the third one”.
Key number : 117
Full name : TRAN MINH QUOC
School : Quoc Hoc High School-Hue City-Thua Thien Hue Province
Class : 11 specialize in Biology
Address : 91 Dao Duy Anh-Hue City-Thua Thien Hue Province
Phone number: 0977320390
E-mail : chen571991@gmail.com
Second Prize
INTRODUCE YOUR HOMETOWN TO YOUR FRIEND OR A FOREIGNER WHO IS VISITING QUANG BINH
Night comes down upon the earth. How lucky for a crab like me to live on Quang Binh Beach. Living the life of a crab, I am happy to enjoy the beauty of the sea, the beauty of marine and of the pure nature.
Seeing twinkling stars in the sky reflecting on the surface makes me excited. My head escapes from the surface of the sea to enjoy the spectacular sight. There are small beautiful gleaming lights far away on the horizon. They turned out to be the crew of fishing-boats. The more I look at them, the more I am captivated by the glistering beauty. But the sleepiness is dragging down my eyelids. I dive into the deep sea to find a shelter for the night. On my way back to the sea, I recognize that at night the marine creatures seem to be more splendid. The range of coral reef has a blaze of many colors. Schools of colorful fish are swimming freely past me. It seems that I am mesmerized by the whole view before my eyes. Now I understand why so many tourists want to scuba dive. And little by little, I fall asleep.
As a habit, I get up before dawn to watch the sun rise. I crawl on the sand and wait for the moment I am looking for. All of a sudden, I am startled by the crying sound of the sinewy fishers who are setting sail to go out to the sea. I feel like having a strong connection with Quang Binh people. My mind is inundated by incredible admiration for them. You see, they are diligent, hard working and free-spirited people. Other admirable characteristics of Quang Binh people are their resilience and perseverance. My Grandpa used to tell me stories about their valor and courage during wartime. Have you ever heard Mother Suot, who helped the soldiers pass Nhat Le River in spite of bomb mines? Her action was so audacious that she became a role model for Quang Binh women. In addiction to that, Quang Binh people are very friendly and hospitable. I remembered one day I was playing with my crabby friends on the beach, we saw the tourists who are being shown around by local people
I am proud of Quang Binh. I am also proud to be a sea creature living at the place where I was born. These thoughts cannot stop me from shouting aloud, “Quang Binh Sea is the most wonderful place in Quang Binh!” All of a sudden, sister Swallow flies over me and says:
- No no little Crab, you are wrong. I know a place that is even better than Quang Binh Sea. It is Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.
- No, I cannot believe that there is any other place more beautiful than Quang Binh Sea,” I insist.
- How sad that you didn’t know! Ok, let me tell you about that place. Phong Nha Ke Bang is recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage. It is located to the north of the majestic Truong Son range in central
Quang Binh Province and it is also one of the world’s two largest limestone regions. It is over 200,000 hectares of parkland including beautiful limestone formations, grottoes, caves, and a luxuriant forestland covering 95 percent of the park area. Phong Nha…
Not giving sister Swallow enough time to carry on her babbling, I interrupt:
- Wait! Although Quang Binh Sea has not been recognized by UNESCO, it has a great diverse body of creatures.
- Ha Ha. Why do you think that National does not have diversity? According to initial statistics, the primitive tropical forest in Phong Nha Ke Bang houses 140 families, 427 branches, and 751 species of high-rated plants, of which 36 species are endangered and listed in the Vietnam Red Book. The forest is also home to 32 classes, 98 families, 256 genera, and 382 species of four land backboned animals. 66 animal species are listed Vietnam Red Book and 23 other species in the World Red Book. In general, Phong Nha Ke Bang’s animals are more diverse than those of other natural reserves and national parks. It is also more diverse than Quang Binh Sea.
I cannot believe in her words. Until Today, I have always believed that Quang Binh Sea possesses the greatest diversity in Quang Binh Province. Her words seem to hurt my pride, I say:
- No, I do not believe it. You are lying!
- Little Crab, it is the truth. If you do not believe it, you can visit that place with me and we will see…
- Good idea! I will go with you. - I smile friendly.
- Ok, go with me. Please lie on my back and I’ll take you to that place. - Sister Swallow says.
From up high, it is even more spectacular. I can see an immense Quang Binh Sea. And gradually, the place emerges into my sight.
- It is Phong Nha Ke Bang National park, isn’t it? - I ask - How beautiful!
- Yes, from this height, it is more and more mighty. The beauty of nature is superb. When I see some rare animals, I believe what sister Swallow has told me. Then she says:
- Now I will give you a tour to one of the most spectacular caves in the world - Phong Nha Cave.
As quick as lighting, she takes me to the cave. Inside the cave, I am overwhelmed with special feelings. It feels like I have just gotten into paradise. The cave features magnificent stalactites that looked like those I can only see in fairy tales. Stalactite and stalagmite columns and walls here create strange sounds like that gong and drum if they are knocked with the hand. Sister Swallow says:
- I think there is one interesting thing that you don’t know. Phong Nha holds several world cave records, as it has the longest underground rivers, the largest caverns and passageways, the widest and prettiest sand banks, and the most astonishing rock formations in the world. All of these marvelous traits attract the tourists both locally and internationally.
- You have a very broad knowledge. I wonder how you know all of this. – I ask with admiration.
- I only overheard this information from the tour guides at Phong Nha cave. – She simply answers.
Sister Swallow takes me back to the sea. The sun is descending, wrapping a brilliant orange shade that brightens up a semi-spherical corner where it floats behind the horizon. After one day, my knowledge has broadened so much. It has been an eye-opening experience for me to know that my Quang Binh Beach is not the only amiable-looking place in Quang Binh.
Key – Number: 11
Full Name: Hoang Thi Kieu Mo
Address: Vietnam National University Hanoi- College of Foreign Languages
THIRD PRIZE
Topic: Introduce your hometown to your friend or a foreigner who is visiting Quảng Bình.
Welcome to Quảng Bình province- a gentle and hospitable region. We are on the tour around Quảng Bình. This tour not only takes all of you to seven districts of Quảng Bình to know more about its beauty, but also provides you with the information about its people, culture, economy, education and other fields.
Quảng Bình is located 100km north of Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) (in the anti-U.S war), about 170km north of Hue and 488km south of Hanoi. With this position, Quảng Bình is in the Middle of Việt Nam, the region full of sunshine and wind.
The factor most important factor to make Quang Bình province wonderful like this Today is people. Born in a severe area, Quảng Bình people are simple and sincere. Quảng Bình people are not only industrious but also intelligent. They master a gentle life, which is neither noisy nor complex, but they make a heroic province. Although Quảng Bình is one of the provinces which suffered from the war with tons of bombs and Agent Orange, if you visit Quảng Bình now, you will be very impressed with its dramatic change. No longer in any destructive plight, Quảng Bình now becomes a beautiful province with a lot of successes. You will see this in the achievements Quảng Bình has got in the last few years. The first thing I want to tell you is the economy. As you know, Quảng Bình province is located in the Middle area that has to suffer a lot of natural calamities such as flood, storm, or even draught. Moreover, the terrain of high mountains and small, narrow deltas hinders Quảng Bình from growing its economy. Despite that, Quảng Bình people have made a lot of remarkable achievements so far. Do you see the construction over there? It is the thermoelectricity factory La Trong which is being built by Limited Liability responsibility company Truong Thinh When completed, it will provide electricity for all corners inside province as well as export to our neighboring country: Laos. Do not stop there, Quảng Bình province is also establishing more and more business centers, such as the industrial zone in North West Dong Hoi, Hon La Harbour as well as many other factories, mills, and companies. These organizations will push up the economic development of Quảng Bình. According to the Quảng Bình people’s committee, at present, there are 1054 enterprises with the total capital is 1865 billion VND. As a Quảng Bình citizen, I am proud that there are two businesses being awarded with “Sao Vang Dat Viet” for their successes. Furthermore, Quảng Bình is gradually improving the investment environment, simplifying the administrative procedure as well as encouraging factories to apply the technology, science into production so that they can compete with both inland and foreign businesses. With the economy development of Quảng Bình now, I hope it will be one of the most developed provinces of our country.
Secondly, education is the thing I am going to tell you. As you know, Quảng Bình is a poor province and does not have much good condition for this field. In the past, many pupils had to leave schools because of their poverty. However, nowadays, when the economy more and more develops, all children have the opportunity to go to schools. In Quảng Bình, a lot of people have been successful in their lives thanks to education. Do you know Le Vu Hoang, the poor pupil who overcame his situation to get the winner in show game “The way to Olympia peak” by VTV3, in 2006. He is the idol of every generation of pupils in Quảng Bình. Do you know Luu Anh Tien, the captain of Robocon team which brought glory to Việt Nam from “Asia Pacific Robot contest” in Malaysia. He may be the idol of not only Quảng Bình students but also the entire Vietnamese community. Besides that, many many other people bring fame to Quảng Bình province as well as the whole country.
At the moment, Quảng Bình is planning to construct more and more schools, especially in harsh districts such as Minh Hoa, Tuyen Hoa so that every child can go to school. Last year, Quảng Bình College of Teaching Training became Quảng Bình University, this matter has shown that there is an obvious advance in Quảng Bình education. I hope that with its attempt, Quảng Bình will have a significant position in Vietnamese national educational system.
The third is tourism. Quảng Bình tourism is one of the fields which contributes the most to the province's income. You know, Quảng Bình is the home to a lot of attractions such as Nhat Le river, Bang hot Spring, and specially, Phong Nha Cave and Phong Nha Ke Bang national Park which were recognized as a natural world heritage by UNESCO in 2003 and 2007. Phong Nha grotto system is really a natural attraction because of its amazing natural beauty: it has the longest underground river in the world, with plenty of different formations of stones, the largest cavern and the widest and prettiest sand banks. Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is really a pristine forest with hundreds of wild and rare animals and plants. Not only that, Phong Nha cave is famous for its legend and its role in the wars. Phong Nha was the place where our soldiers used to shelter in the two wars. Therefore, Phong Nha is not only meaningful in tourism but also in history. Besides, Nhat Le sea with blue water and powdery white sand is another attractive place for hundreds of tourists. With the natural beauty-spot, Quảng Bình travel agency has plans to better develop tourism of province. At present, the Quảng Bình people’s committee is concentrating on how to improve the quality of service so that more and more travelers will visit Quảng Bình. Moreover, Quảng Bình has many kinds of cuisine such as Banh Loc, Chao Canh, Banh Xeo, etc., and as well as many other tasty dishes. These dishes also make a lot of people visit and know more about Quảng Bình.
As a result of the wars, Quảng Bình has a part of Hồ Chí Minh Trail. This Trail is very meaningful because of its importance in the American Resistance War. It was the way that we transported food and goods to our soldiers the South battlefield. Nowadays, with the development of economy, Việt Nam Government has upgraded it to be a highway through North to South. To possess a part of Hồ Chí Minh Street, Quảng Bình will have a chance to grow its economy through business and tourism.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have just visited Quảng Bình province, my hometown. Maybe my introduction is not perfect yet, but I have said with all of my knowledge and passion. I actually hope Quảng Bình will more and more develop; and of course, I hope all of you are satisfied with my introduction.
Thank you for listening.
Key-ordinal number: 125
Full Name: Le Do Nhat Phuong
School : Nguyen Tat Thanh high school, Hanoi.
Class : 10 Specialize in Natural Science - high quality class
Topic: Tell me about your past experience(s) and how it shaped who you are
Part of me
Someone has said that experience is a hard teacher. From your experience, you learn and you improve. Gradually, it forms your personalities and is part of you. As for me, I experienced my childhood in Quang Binh and it shaped who I am now.
My childhood was attached to the river behind my house and to the vast dunes of Quang Binh. In summer afternoons, my friends and I often jumped into the river, singing songs or just shouting out. After that, we climbed to the high dunes. There were many cacti on the dunes, being there, so green. Once, I asked my grandfather why they could grow well in such scorching sand. He gently answered that under the sand there was underground water. Now I left my hometown for Hanoi for further study. Long and cold winter nights of Hanoi made me miss Quang Binh passionately. My grandfather’s stories kept recurring in my mind. He said the cacti were like our Quang Binh people: they could save every drop of water in the earth’s womb to survive. The more severe the weather is, the more patient they are. Like the life of the cacti, it was hard, and at the same time, lucky for me to live in a place like Quang Binh. I had to overcome a lot of difficulties, but it was the difficulties that made me stronger and more patient.
I also treasured the time I spent with my grandfather. My grandfather is old and experienced so he understands Quang Binh clearly. I always feel he is the person who understands me most. Every story that he told me is meaningful and is to give me a profound lesson. I grew up through his stories. Also, he likes writing, especially about the history or the geography of Quang Binh. He published two books, one is the famous general Le Mo Khai and another is geography book of Cao Lao Ha land. He could day after day sit there, at the table, doing the research into the history. Or he could rewrite one document many times because he did not want there was a mistake in his history book. Once, while my grandfather was writing a book, at the sight of his grey hair, I suddenly realized that I could not be beside him for much more time. I felt anxious as one day I may have no more mental support. I learn how to be patient from him. When I encounter a problem in my study or in my personal life, I often think of the cacti on the sand, of the image of my grandfather and I get the strength and patience to move on.
Besides, I have learnt to be more patient with others and to help others. Especially, one of the habits that I develop is the patience in listening to others. My grandfather could sit hours and hours, just listening to my trivial stories. I told him how I went to school, what lesson I learnt there, who I talked with during the day, and so on. My grandfather listened patiently to what I had to say. He shared the moment of happiness with me, encouraged me if I failed, and urged me to try more. I sometimes asked: ‘Grandpa, why could you never become bored with me and my stories?’ He replied, smilingly, ‘My love, listening to whatever a person has to say is to show your love and respect to that person’. It is just a simple but meaningful reply. I understand that, no matter what people say, if you listen to them, you will give them your love and your respect.
One more thing that formed my character, an ambitious person is the fact that my village is so poor and the life of Quang Binh people is too hard. Though they work on the fields so hard, the peasants barely earn enough money for daily basic necessaries, and many families cannot afford sending their children to school. Therefore I thirst for the successful day when I can come back to my hometown and be capable of helping my peasants. I suddenly remember a memory, my first evening railway trip to Hanoi. Everybody was sad to say ‘good bye’ to me but only one person gently smiled to me, and that was my grandfather. He said ‘You might fly, fly away, my small bird! And please remember where you fly from. I am waiting for your good news’.
As a small bird, I am flying into the vast heaven. I am lucky as I experienced a very happy childhood in Quang Binh. That is why my experience is so important for me. Experience is to give me directions to where I want to be, what I desire to have, and what I want to do.
Experience is indeed part of my life which I treasure forever.