Thong Nhat (Reunification) Park

Like the Disney Land of Floria, or Europa Park of West Germany, the Thong Nhat Park is one of the biggest and finest in Hanoi. Of course, in term of size and attrations, it can be no match to the other two; however, it was my dream-land when I was growing up.
The park was built and named in late 40s by the great leader Ho Chi Minh. During the American war, they changes it to V.I. Lenin Park as Vietnam befriended with the Soviet Union. Then recently, the park got its name back.
Locating not far from the South Entrance of the Old Hanoi, the Thong Nhat park covers a huge area, which includes the "Bay mau" (about 2.5 ha) lake. In the morning, it is filled with people, mostly elders, who want to breath some fresh air before going on their days. During weekdays, the park is usually empty; here and there, one might find a few children playing, a young couple walking hand in hand, or a lonely poet trying to write down his feeling. The place got crowded again in the weekend, when parents actually have free time to take their children out. Games and fun are everywhere, the park is full of children laughing, chasing each other, screaming each other's name and doing whatever else they can think of. With the park's incredible size, one might even want to catch the electric tram, which will take them to every conner of the park...
Personally, the park means a lot to me. When I was a kid, it was my most favorite place. Little older, the park was the meeting spot for many of my classes. Even my family reunion was held there one year. And on top of all, that was where I got my first kiss. "Nothing beats the first kiss," of course. I remember exactly what she wore and what I wore; what she said and what I said. I remember how we walked along the lake hand in hand like many other couples, and how I suddenly stopped and pulled her toward me with all the courage I ever had. The wind blew easily, creating small waves in the water as if it was as nervous as I. The air was quiet, the trees were curiously looking at us, and the birds were being jealous. And then the park whispered into my ears "we will save this moment forever, just like you will too!"
Years later, I came back. It welcomed me with open arms, and said: "yeah, we remember..."
-nxh