Appointment with Khanh Vinh

Actually, Khanh Vinh has been familiar to me for decades as a civil servant. There is so much data, it is difficult to list all the changes that have gradually become familiar. The old Cay Da restaurant that I used to stop by for lunch, and later there were several other restaurants. From the shabby market to the new market, the park... Although it is so familiar, every time I come back once a year, I can see the changes here.

We often choose the route through Dien Khanh Citadel, following the Cai River through Dien Lac, Dien Phuoc, Dien Tho... We can leisurely stop to take pictures somewhere if we like. Starting in Khanh Vinh, the roads are beautiful, with curves with spectacular rows of frangipani trees, bends full of flowers, ancient tamarind trees along the road... When we can no longer see the river, we know we have entered the center of Khanh Vinh.

Looking at the map, from the upstream of Khanh Vinh, rivers such as Khanh Le, Cho River, Giang River… all flow into Cai Nha Trang River, winding very spectacularly. The density of rivers and streams in Khanh Vinh is higher than other districts in the province, so Khanh Vinh in particular has quite a few suspension bridges.

Usually, we hang around the center for a while, visit friends, then follow the road to Da Lat, and when we feel it is too far, we turn around. That day, we went to kilometer 91 and then turned back, sitting leisurely in a riverside cafe - one of the stops for buses on the Nha Trang - Da Lat route.

And always, the way back we went through Khanh Binh, it was much farther but in return we got to see the road through the beautiful acacia forest. I remember the days when I was still working, the late afternoons would rain, I got to see the beautiful and sad rain forest. On both sides, the thick green trees were immersed in the rain, tinged with a vague, wistful color, reminding me of many things. Imagine, the forest was silent, only the rain talked to each other, each wave small or large depending on which direction the wind carried the rain, one or many directions, creating sad melodies. The sad rain scene makes the sad afternoon always evoke the feeling of the traveler's heart.

On the way back through Khanh Binh, we passed many suspension bridges. Suspension bridges spanning small rivers upstream always arouse curiosity. At a river wharf, we chatted with women washing clothes. The river water was so clear that we could see the sand. Suspension bridges connected the villages to the main road. On the suspension bridges, students’ bicycles were on their way home from school. How strangely peaceful!

We crossed a suspension bridge into the village. After the suspension bridge were houses and grapefruit gardens. Most of the houses in the villages were built of bricks. The grapefruit gardens were full of fruit. The gentle scent of grapefruit flowers created a gentle feeling. Standing on the suspension bridge, looking in any direction, the river was beautiful and peaceful. Below, children were bathing in the river, their laughter echoing along a deserted stretch of the river.

The road has just been renovated, the car runs smoothly. On both sides of the road, the grapefruit gardens are in full fruit season, looking green and refreshing. The mango gardens are in full bloom. Then the sections through the acacia forest...

A one-day tour in my hometown is enough to show love and promise Khanh Vinh next season.

KIM DUY

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/sang-tac/202504/hen-voi-khanh-vinh-e2a6b7a/