People are lucky to be " aquatic"
At noon on August 4, we arrived in Chuong Duong commune (Hanoi) - where many garment factories specialized in the production of national flags, party flags... to serve political and social events across the country. Every time there is a National Day on September 2 or the Liberation of the South on April 30, the production rate here enters its climax - bustling, vibrant, red covers every alley and porch roof.
At this time, more than 15 workers at the garment factory of Mr. Nguyen Van Chung (in Giap Long village, Chuong Duong commune) are reasonably divided into work, taking on each stage in the process of producing the national flag. Some cut fabric, some tailor gold star on red fabric, some fold,... Each person has a job, all are urgent, tireless, but also full of pride. Because they not only do the job, but also contribute to "making" the sacred symbol of the nation - the national flag.
Mr. Ta Van Hieu - the worker in charge of the fabric cutting process - shared: "For more than a month now, everyone has been working overtime, working more than 9 hours a day to keep up with the delivery schedule. During peak periods like this, we work until night. Fatigue but fun. Each flag is made up as a source of pride. Thinking about the scene of flags hanging everywhere to welcome the upcoming National Day on September 2, I suddenly felt like I was contributing a small part to that atmosphere.
The flag goes ahead, the hearts follow
Every day, flag production facilities in Chuong Duong commune supply the market with tens of thousands of flags of all kinds - from small hand-held flags, hanging on vehicles, to large flags hanging at agencies, offices, and streets. Orders not only come from within the city of Hanoi but also from the Central and Southern provinces. In particular, many shipments are also exported to overseas Vietnamese communities.
At a long-standing garment factory in Giap Long village, Ms. Tran Thi Hoat (70 years old) - the factory owner, still regularly sat in a hurry and checked each flag before packing. With thin hands and meticulous eyes, Ms. Hoat said slowly: "I have been in this profession for more than 40 years. Every time I come to make a national holiday flag, I remember the years of resistance. At that time, having a red flag with a yellow star is very precious, and being torn is like a treasure. Now that I have contributed to making new flags, I am very happy.
As the successor to his biological mother's profession, Mr. Nguyen Van Chung (42 years old) - also the owner of a flag production facility in the commune - shared: "Although it is a handicraft, if you touch the image of the national flag, you cannot do recklessly. We have to preserve every step - from importing fabric, staring to sewing, standard ratio. It's not like luck is over. That is also a way to show respect for the sacred flag. For the people here, each flag is not only a product of labor but also a crystallization of patriotism."
Putting up a national flag in front of the house every holiday is a small act, but it holds a great meaning. And to make that flag, for us - the craftsmen in Chuong Duong commune - it is a mission that cannot be done at a minimum. Each hand, each hand, each fabric,... all contribute to weaving the soul of water, Mr. Chung added.
