From the Tam Quan Gate, the faint fragrance of ripe thi fruit carried by the breeze feels both gentle and familiar. A scent that might otherwise seem ordinary can awaken an entire world of memories. Who, as a child, once stood at the gate waiting for their mother to return from the market, eagerly anticipating a golden, fragrant thi fruit? Small and humble, this traditional countryside fruit carries within it the image of one’s mother, village markets, and the sense of peace and warmth of childhood.

Few people may know that beside Thuy Dinh Lake at Bai Dinh Pagoda lies an ancient thi fruit garden. Every early autumn, the old trees become laden with golden fruit, while their fragrance spreads gently through the tranquil temple grounds. Amid the vast pagoda complex, the garden is a simple yet distinctive feature, carrying with it the spirit of the Vietnamese countryside and memories deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture.

Perhaps this is also why Vu Lan season at Bai Dinh evokes such a special emotion. It is not only a season of offering incense with reverence, praying for the health and peace of one's parents, or wearing roses as a symbol of filial gratitude. Vu Lan reminds us to cherish the people we love while we still can. Sometimes, the things we remember most after years of growing up are the simplest ones: a meal prepared by our mother, a familiar loving call, or a thi fruit that she brought home from the market.

If you have the opportunity to visit Bai Dinh in the early autumn, take a moment to stop by Thuy Dinh lake, beneath the canopy of the ancient thi trees. Listen to the distant ringing of the temple bells, admire the golden fruit glowing in the sunlight, and let its gentle fragrance carry you back to the memories of childhood.