Songs for the Mother: Poetry by Le Hang Huan

A commemorative event held on April 5, 2026, at the Cua Bac historical site in Hanoi honored the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mrs. Le Hang Huan. The ceremony, marking the centenary of her birth on April 7, 1926, featured a central artistic exhibition and poetry space titled A Song for Mother.

The program integrated several commemorative activities, including the offering of incense at the historical site, a family gathering, and the taking of commemorative photographs. The core of the event was the poetry performance, which served to illustrate the spiritual life of Le Hang Huan through the recitation of her works and personal testimonies from friends and relatives.

Literary Themes and Personal History

The poetry of Le Hang Huan was deeply influenced by her personal hardships. She became a widow at the age of 30 and raised five children alone, experiences that provided the primary inspiration for her writing. Her poetic themes spanned a wide range of subjects, including family, homeland, country, and international friendship.

Le Hang Huan was the wife of Nguyen Son, known as the General of Two Nations (1908-1956). She was also the younger sister of poet Le Hang Phuong, who was the wife of cultural researcher and writer Vu Ngoc Phan.

Notable Works and International Reach

Her writing appeared in various publications, including Van Nghe Newspaper and Tien Phong Newspaper. Her body of work is noted for reflecting the perspective of a woman living through a period of significant upheaval.

Specific works highlighted during the commemoration included poetry written with deep respect for President Ho Chi Minh, such as Offering to Uncle Ho and Letter to Uncle Ho. Her work also documented war events and extended to international figures.

• The poem Greetings, Fidel! was written about Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
• The poem Thank You, Titov was dedicated to Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov.

The event concluded with a focus on the emotional richness of her perspective, as attendees paused to reflect on the poems that captured her life’s journey and her connections to both national and global figures.