[Vietnam] Hoàng Thị Hạnh Trang, Renmin University of China
First Impression
I was a simple and innocent little girl when I first heard of you. In my mind, you were a poetic dreamland reminiscent of bountiful verses such as “Four hundred eighty splendid temples still remain, of Southern Dynasties in the mist and rain.”
Your timeless classicism was the dreamland I long yearned for. Your history, classics and poetry, whether profound, solemn, romantic or aesthetic, gave me nourishment for thought.The regret was that I never met you in person. I just learned of you from hearsay, movies, TV plays and books.
Nevertheless, since then, the word “China” remains in my heart and I have been dreaming of this wonderland. And my search for this amazing country thus began.
First Tour
It has been 10 years since I first met you. A curious girl eager to explore the outside world, I was dreaming of visiting you. I waited and waited until the day came finally. I was so excited. And I have never forgotten the moment when I first stepped on your land. In a trance, I felt my heart beat faster when you emerged before me.
From the vast reaches of the desert in Northwest China, to the red walls and yellow roofs of the Forbidden City, and the charming waterfront brick houses and stone bridges in the regions south of Yangtze River, this amazing land of poetic and picturesque landscapes and wonders revealed its great beauty to me.
Overwhelmed by your charms, I felt like a time traveler tracing the rich layers of your long history veiled in mystery. The more I searched, the deeper I was immersed. Your history spans a few thousand years, and I could not help wondering how many untapped wonders you have that I was unaware of. Although it was a short tour, it had a lasting impact on me.
Deep Appreciation
Time flies and I gradually grew up. To my surprise, you have undergone tremendous changes and now take on a new look. Four years ago, I met you again, thus starting this incredible journey. This time I was back to pursue my further studies. Some may think China is not a top choice for international students, but I firmly believe study in China is a gateway to a promising future on the world stage. My personal experience in this country has proven that I had made the right and wise choice.
While having this amazing journey studying in the country, I witnessed your miraculous rise, which is a key milestone for the new era of the world. Like all the other people worldwide, I was so much amazed by your accelerated modernization, although I am an admirer of you for years.
In my impression, you, with a long history and old-living civilization, have confidently shaken the dust off your feet and made strides forward to fulfill your dream of rejuvenation and to take the lead worldwide. High-speed trains, mobile payment, e-commerce, shared bikes and so on, all these technological innovations have drawn the world’s attention. In this hustling and bustling world, people come and go and things keep changing.
I could not help wondering if you still belong to this humble person that is me. To my delight, you are still the one I first met. Every late afternoon with red clouds at sunset in Beijing, I can still enjoy myself roaming in the quiet alleys in the ancient capital city, savoring a cup of refreshing Chinese tea, having peace of mind at the heart of a modern metropolis and appreciating your unique charms blending tradition and modernity. All of a sudden, I found what I search for for the past and what I expect for the future — you have them all.
Unfinished Encounter
My love for you grows each and every day. It is an unfinished encounter. However, during this time of uncertainty, we are set apart a thousand miles. This waiting around seems endless.Yet it is the firm love for you that gives me the courage to carry on and cheer up every day. I am not sure when we can meet again to continue this amazing journey, or maybe for the time being I can only conceal this love in my heart.
But I always believe this magic link between you and me will grow ever stronger. Good days are yet to come. And my love for you ever grows. This beautiful encounter has opened the first door for me to know the kaleidoscopic world, and shaped my lifelong pursuit and belief. The winds and storms will eventually be over. When spring comes and flowers bloom, you see, I will come back and continue the unfinished encounter between you and me…
The story is from "My Beautiful Encounter with China" Essay Competition organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges (CSCSE).
