The Flowing Canal Through the Golden Season

The Flowing Canal Through the Golden Season

Stretching close to 100 kilometers along the southwestern border of the nation, Vinh Te Canal has quietly intertwined itself with the lives of locals for over 200 years of rain and sun. Looking at the canal, one does not merely see a sturdy irrigation structure but also glimpses a stream of history, a cultural lineage imbued with the essence of the past, present, and future.

It is rare to find anyone in An Giang who hasn't heard of Vinh Te Canal and the stories woven around it. This canal embodies more than water; it encapsulates days of grueling labour, sweat, and tears, underpinned by faith and hope. Over 200 years ago, when Thoai Ngoc Hau led thousands of labourers in its construction, they faced countless hardships. Yet, as the canal was eventually cleared, so too were their spirits and determination, flowing as persistently as the water, pushing through adversity to create what stands today as a monumental structure.

The folk tales of this land recount how many who worked on Vinh Te Canal would lie eternally along its banks, unable to witness the fruits of their labor. Survivors passed down the story, narrating the days spent under the scorching sun and the relentless border rains, yet with hands that kept digging, turning soil, each spadeful a testament to pride—not solely for livelihood but for a creation that would protect and nurture their homeland.

Beyond just carrying water, Vinh Te Canal transports tales as legendary as those of the early pioneers who first tilled the Southern Plains. Today, as it empties into the sea, the canal continues to carry the everyday lives of those along its banks. In the morning, locals row along the canal selling vegetables and fish, their familiar calls echoing over the water. Every afternoon, as the sun dips behind rows of trees, children run and play along the banks, their joy reflecting the simplest, purest beauty of life by Vinh Te Canal.

Sitting along the canal’s banks, listening to the flowing water, one can almost glimpse the figures of past generations who regarded this canal as part of their own blood. They lived, loved, and dedicated their all to this canal and this land. Today, besides this flow, people continue to dream of a prosperous, peaceful life, mirroring the pristine waters that Vinh Te Canal has brought to this region over the years.

Vinh Te Canal lies peacefully, enduring as a silent witness to the shifts in seasons and lives. Observing the canal, one envisions farmers in worn brown cloaks, bare feet grounded firmly in the soil, wielding sturdy hoes that broke the earth, sweat-drenched faces yet glowing with resilient faith—faith in tomorrow, in the canal that sustains a region, in the abundant golden rice grains, and in the peace of the homeland's borders.

Now, the canal is an inseparable part of life for those in the far southwestern reaches, flowing through green rice fields and tranquil villages. For the people here, Vinh Te Canal is cherished as much as life itself.

Each flood season, as waters rise, silt deposits replenish the fields. The people eagerly prepare for the next crop season, trusting in the enduring gifts of the canal. Vinh Te is not simply a stream; it is a lifeline, a source of faith and hope, binding generations to the land they call home and to the legacy they have cultivated.

When gazing upon the water’s flow, one can hear the whispers of the past, sensing the perseverance of those who fell to make Vinh Te Canal a reality. Thoai Ngoc Hau’s image emerges—the valiant official who left a lasting mark in history, devoting his life to the protection and growth of this land. The canal, like an eternal song, bridges past and present, preserving enduring values.

Vinh Te Canal flows quietly, and tirelessly through countless seasons, much like the deep, silent love of the people here for their motherland. Listen carefully, and you will hear the canal’s heartbeat, the pulse of the southern people—simple yet unyielding, like the canal itself, flowing ever forward, unceasing, in the hearts of the people and the skies of southern Vietnam

Vinh Te Canal winds through verdant fields, cradling each rice plot, bringing peace and abundance to the borderlands. Thanks to its refreshing waters, each season yields bountiful crops, with golden grains that have become symbols of prosperity and happiness.

Today, the people live joyously, placing their hopes in the canal that has intertwined with their lives for generations. Vinh Te Canal is not just water flowing through the land; it is the spirit of the people, nurturing the souls and lives of humble farmers. Through this canal, they build a life of abundance and happiness, infusing love into every rice grain and every drop of silt that flows, joining together to cultivate a peaceful, prosperous borderland rich with human warmth.

Over the centuries, Vinh Te Canal has become a symbol of the resilience and perseverance of the Southern people. Each mention of Vinh Te Canal evokes memories of past sacrifices and unwavering spirit. For those living in this region, the canal is not only a material legacy but also a spiritual one, motivating them to endure daily challenges.
The canal has instilled in the people of the South a spirit of “moving forward,” unafraid of hardship. This spirit has seeped into their very souls, becoming a driving force that helps them stand firm and thrive under today’s harsh conditions of nature and climate change.

This canal serves as a reminder to the present generation of gratitude and responsibility—to preserve and foster the cultural values their ancestors left behind while embodying the indomitable spirit and aspirations of the Vietnamese people in their journey to build and develop the nation.

Author: Tran Sang

Source: www.angiang.dcs.vn

Translator: Kim Thuan