Patriotism (also) means keeping your streets clean

National flags covered the streets, bright red ribbons fluttered in the wind and every face was filled with a smile.

Patriotism and national pride were palpable everywhere, not only on the streets but also on social networks with Facebook, Zalo and TikTok being filled with flags and avatars changed to red with yellow stars.

Social networks had also turned into a virtual square, with millions of people looking forward to the same joy.

At that moment, naturally, I felt moved, suddenly remembering the famous words of President Ho Chi Minh that Vietnamese have a passionate love for the country.

Indeed, it is this love for the country that has become the most important spiritual weapon, helping them go through many ups and downs, overcoming colonization by foreign powers, never surrendering, never allowing themselves to be suppressed.

It is an invisible but enduring strength, connecting the past, present and future, forging the Vietnamese character.

People take photos at a street decorated with hundreds of national and Party flags in Hanoi to celebrate the 80th National Day on Sept. 2, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

But amidst the vibrant colors are also some less pleasing things. When the joy is overwhelming, people leave behind piles of trash on the streets possibly without even thinking about their action.

On the way back, I saw plastic bottles, bags, wrapping paper... The burden will fall on the shoulders of the sanitation workers.

But before they can clean up, the impression of a dirty city has already started to form in the minds of domestic and foreign tourists.

Recently another joyout moment also turned into a worry. After the U23 Vietnam team defeated Indonesia to win the ASEAN Cup last month, thousands of young people poured into the streets.

That night, while returning home, I shuddered as I watched convoys of cars swerving and revving at breakneck speeds.

The question that popped into my mind was: Is winning a youth tournament at the ASEAN level worth celebrating to the point of disregarding the lives of others?

That victory should have been considered normal, a positive thing but nothing too special, so that we could welcome it with calm, gentle joy.

The taxi driver who took me that day told me a sad story: during a previous such celebration, innocent people had become victims, losing their lives on the road because of uncontrolled enthusiasm.

I was speechless.

So patriotism is not the impulsive intoxication after a victory, but the ability to know when to stop, to control oneself so that one's joy does not become a tragedy for others.

Everyone has the right to express their patriotism in their own way. Some hang flags in front of their houses, some take to the streets to join the cheering crowds, some silently shed tears when listening to the national anthem, and some change their Facebook profile picture to the colors of the national flag. All are worthy of respect, because patriotism is a natural emotion, a pride that everyone has the right to keep to themselves or share in their own way.

However, an expression of patriotism is only truly valuable when it does not harm others, does not turn the joy of the community into social insecurity.

Patriotism is after all not just about the flag hanging on the balcony, loud cheers or status updates on social networks.

Patriotism is also not just a few minutes of tears when listening to the national anthem at an important ceremony.

That love is only truly meaningful when accompanied by social responsibility even with respect to seemingly minor things: maintaining public hygiene, not littering, not speeding, respecting public spaces.

Vietnamese people are often moved by great symbols. But it is in the simple daily actions that this love is clearly shown. A beautiful country is not only in the flags and flowers, but also in the clean streets after the festival; not only in the cheers after the victory, but also in the fact that no one is afraid to go out on the street on that happy night.

If each person, during moments of joy, asks themselves: "What do I contribute to the joy?" the image of the country will be much more beautiful.

When the red flag with yellow star flies, it is not only a symbol of pride, but also a reminder: patriotism is only complete when accompanied by responsibility.

*Nguyen The Vinh is an author, translator.