Maya Angelou once said: “You can never go home again, but the truth is you can never leave home, so it’s all right.”
Most people, no matter where we came from or where life has taken us, remain attached to memories of our early years — the times, places, people, events, as well as the loves and affections and the turmoils of our young hearts.
For me, that special place of my childhood — my ancestral homeland — is Vietnam, which I had to leave many years ago. I grew up there during the war, so naturally a lot of my memories from that time are not happy ones. And I’ve always regretted that due to safety and security reasons I didn’t get many opportunities to travel outside of Saigon and see much of the country.
Thus it was quite a pleasant surprise when a friend sent me a link to this wonderful video shot by a young filmmaker of Vietnamese descent, Arnaud Ly Van Manh. This short film (6 minutes), titled This Land, “takes viewers across Vietnam and focuses on the beautiful landscapes, people, and tranquil moments one finds in the country’s mountains, streams and pagodas. Manh’s trip took him to Halong Bay, Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon, the Mekong Delta and Phan Thiet last Christmas, and he relished every moment spent in the land that his father left at the age of 18. ‘That’s why I filmed This Land, trying to share the emotion I felt discovering these cities and villages, this country, this land which is mine in some ways,’ Manh wrote in the video description.” *
* Saigoneer, Published on Wednesday, 10 December 2014
A far cry from the war documentaries of years ago, this beautiful clip captures the simple poetry of my childhood homeland and its people, and it fills my heart with tenderness and peaceful longing. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
Oh, so beautiful. I imagine it tore at your heart, my friend. Loved the soundtrack, also. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Hi Lynne, so nice to hear from you. It’s my pleasure to share such beautiful images of Vietnam with my friends. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Beautiful scenes, and I love how it captures pieces of daily life. When are you going there on vacation?? Thanks for sharing it.
Hi Steve, that’s exactly why I love it — it’s not a travel commercial, just a thoughtful, poetic shoot with such personal touch. It really grabs me. I’m happy it does you, too.
Thanks, C.L. A showcase of a rich and beautiful land and culture. It made me feel homesick for Vietnam and I’ve never been within 10,000 miles of the place.
Peace
You and me both (homesick for Vietnam, that is). Hi Guy, how are you? I’m so glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks, Chinh. The video captured the wonderful essence of the geography and the culture of the country of you birth. The swarm of motorbikes made my head swim, though.
I agree with you that you can never really leave your home. One’s geography may change during our brief journey through life, but the early definition of our being is forever branded onto our soul. The sights, sounds, tastes and smells of our birthplace. along with each experience as we grow up, internalize what we call home. Even though I have been in California these past 35 years, when I close my eyes, my mind plays it’s own video clip of my first 35 years of life in Pittsburgh.
I couldn’t have said it better myself, John. And speaking of Pittsburgh, I still think back on my time there working with you and the gang some thirty-odd years ago, and the good memories we all shared then. Cheers, big brother!
Beautiful video. Thanks for sharing. Looks like you need to plan another vacation.
Hi, Mary! I’m glad you liked it. Maybe I can go and take take my own video some day.
Now I know why so many American GI’s, Marines and sailors like that country. Hate to think of it begin run by a Communist regime and maybe it won’t last. thanks for sharing, C.L.
My pleasure, Jim. It’s a short film, but so beautifully done. Thanks for stopping by.
C .L. Thanks for the video. Beautiful country and people. I will doubtless watch it many times. It adds so much color and emotion to your excellent book for which I thank you.
JD
It’s a pleasure to share the video with my friends. I’m so happy you enjoyed it, JD, and thank you for stopping by.