Saigon Love

The best translation I can find for the words đòn gánh tre is bamboo shoulder pole. But those words are so inadequate when you understand the deeper meaning to the people of Vietnam. The image of a đòn gánh tre is frequently used to describe the country of Vietnam as a bamboo pole slung with two baskets of rice representing the fertile southern Mekong Delta and the northern Red River Delta. For many generations, the đòn gánh tre has also been a metaphor for hard work as exemplified by the love and sacrifice of these pole carrying women. As many Vietnamese say, a đòn gánh tre woman does not just carry a wooden pole, she carries the entire country on her shoulders!

My favorite Saigon green mango vendor with her granddaughter and shoulder pole.

No matter where you go in Saigon, you will see women of every age balancing their shoulder poles with baskets or pots filled with fresh fruit, sweets, rice, soup, bread, coffee and many other goodies. Every day these mothers and grandmothers carry these poles from early dawn to late at night to earn a living. Because of their dedication, many children have been educated and found the success their mothers worked so hard to give them.

If you have three minutes, check out my video production in honor of these inspirational and industrious women:

Shoulder to Shoulder

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I found this sweet poem translated from Vietnamese on the internet about a child’s appreciation of his mother and her đòn gánh tre:

The bamboo poles
Oh, the bamboo poles
On my mother’s shoulders
Have brought me up in life
Heavy burdens
Bringing joy to children…
I remember…
Mother coming home
After a long day in market
Bamboo baskets full of food and gifts
Swinging… at the two ends of the long poles
On my mother’s shoulders
At that time I was a child,
Eyes bigger than belly
I was so happy
To welcome Mom coming home
With smiles so sweet
And things nice to eat
As I grow up
I understand
Mother’s burdens are heavy
For her children’s lives to be easy
Mother works hard day by day
For her children to have brightened lives
Oh mother’s love…
So high so deep!
Oh bamboo poles
Dear poles, great poles!
On my mother’s shoulders
Have brought me up with love

In closing, I am reminded of this Russian proverb:  The burden is light on the shoulder of another.  Saigon LOVE and Happy New Year to all, Lisa