Festival of the people

People enjoy free meals when attending the ceremony. Photo: TRUNG HIEU

People wrap banh tet to serve festival attendees. Photo: TRUNG HIEU

These days, around the historical and cultural relic site of Nguyen Trung Truc tomb and communal house, the festival atmosphere is bustling and busy. Many free rice camps have been set up to serve visitors from all over.

Mr. Pham Van Kinh, a resident of Rach Gia ward, temporarily put aside his job to return to the communal house to contribute. For nearly 10 years now, he has been participating in cooking charity meals for the anniversary of Mr. Nguyen's death. "Each person has their own job, everyone voluntarily does their part well. It's all for the sake of kindness, showing respect and remembrance of Mr. Nguyen Trung Truc who sacrificed for the people and the country," Mr. Kinh shared.

At the No. 3 rice camp, Mr. Nguyen Hong Quang, resident of Tan Chau ward, has been mobilizing people in Tan Chau, Phu Tan, and Cho Vam to donate food and vegetables to prepare vegetarian meals for visitors for many years. “The rice camp opens from 6 p.m. until late at night, and only stops when no one comes to eat. People come to attend the ceremony, so no one is worried about going hungry,” said Mr. Quang. Warm and affectionate vegetarian meals are served on tables under the shade of a roof to serve people visiting Mr. Nguyen.

Volunteers prepare food. Photo: TRUNG HIEU

Volunteers at rice camp number 3 cook rice to entertain guests. Photo: DANG LINH

When the sun was at its zenith, the Nguyen Trung Truc Tomb and Communal House Historical and Cultural Relic Site was more bustling than ever. Hundreds of tourists and locals sat together to enjoy a hot vegetarian meal. No one jostled, only friendly smiles and nods greeted each other like family. Each portion of rice and each bowl of soup given was a word of gratitude, a bridge connecting the hearts of today's people with the ancient fire of patriotism of the cloth-clad hero.

Amidst the crowds of people attending the festival, the charity rice camps were lit from the 22nd to the 28th of the 8th lunar month. Head of Rice Camp No. 4 Cao Hong Nhan, residing in Chau Phong commune, said: "This year, the camp hosted more than 100 vegetarian meals, with more than 400 volunteers. Vegetables were brought from Vinh Long, Chau Doc, Dong Thap , and rice was available. We just hope that people from near and far will have a warm meal."

Mr. Cao Hong Nhan - head of rice farm No. 4 and volunteers sorting vegetables to serve rice. Photo: DANG LINH

Mr. Vo Van Huong, living in An Phu commune, has been staying at the communal house for nearly half a month to cook banh tet and vegetarian rice. Photo: DANG LINH

Not only vegetarian rice, the vegetarian pancake stall also turns golden brown on the fire of love. Ms. Nguyen Thuy Hang - owner of Tan Tai rice milling facility, Rach Gia ward said: "On the anniversary of Mr. Nguyen's death this year, I and other benefactors contributed funds to give free medicine to people who came to the charity temple and visitors from all over the country to attend the ceremony. In addition, more than 3,000 dried coconuts, flour, and spices to serve the pancakes to serve visitors from all over the country were carefully prepared a few days ago." About 50m away, the zero-dong water camp of Mr. Danh Nam, residing in Rach Gia ward, still serves regularly from the 20th day of the lunar calendar until the end of the anniversary. Mr. Nam said: "I just cook water and give it away for free, anyone who travels far can stop by and have a drink. I'm happy to do something for the festival."

In the afternoon, when the sunlight slanted down on the surface of the Kien River, groups of people continued to pour in. Amidst the crowded crowd, there was no jostling, no arguing, only order and respect. The elderly clasped their hands in prayer, the children followed their parents to offer incense, all joined in the solemn and warm atmosphere of the gratitude festival. Lam Quoc Thai - a student of class 10A9, Nguyen Trung Truc 1 High School, had a charity meal at the free camp with his friends, excitedly saying: "I study at the school named after National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc, so I feel even more proud and moved when I can attend his death anniversary. Having a meal at the communal house, I feel like I have received his blessing to study better. Seeing the ladies and gentlemen serving us despite their hard work but always smiling and being happy with us, I feel so much love and respect!"

DANG LINH - TRUNG HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/le-hoi-cua-long-dan-a464096.html