My Tet moment: Going to Thanh Toan tile bridge to watch the Bai Choi festival

Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge across Nhu Y river - Photo: PHAM THI NHUNG

On the seventh day of the first lunar month, from the center of Hue city, my whole family set out for Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge in Thanh Thuy Chanh village, Thuy Thanh commune, Huong Thuy town.

The road to the commune was wide and spacious, surrounded by smooth young rice fields. White storks fluttered above the rippling rice fields, under the golden rays of the early morning sun. About ten minutes later, the car arrived at the entrance of Thanh Thuy Chanh village, to my surprise, as the distance was shorter than expected.

We stopped at a roofless beef noodle shop, located next to a cool and windy canal. The saleswoman warmly invited customers to sit at the table. Enjoying a bowl of flavorful beef noodle soup, served with fresh and fragrant raw vegetables, I was mentally ready to visit the famous village with my family.

I was still regretting seeing the signboard of Cau Ngoi Night Market right at the beginning of the village, but when I arrived there in the morning, I was immediately attracted by a bustling crowd in front. It turned out that everyone was excitedly playing Bai Choi - a familiar folk game of the Central region during Tet and festivals.

Each player sits in a small hut covered with leaves, holding cards in one hand and tapping bamboo sticks against a pole to create a cheerful rhythmic melody. A middle-aged woman wearing a conical hat, purple silk shirt and black pants, with a nimble appearance, plays the role of the chanter. Whoever has a card that matches the name of the chanter must tap three times and shout.

Bai Choi Festival in Thanh Thuy Chanh Village - Video: PHAM THI NHUNG

The strong singing voice attracts both the audience and the players to the witty and profound melodies. Joy spreads throughout the space. Foreign tourists are clearly excited, some even come to the thatched huts to see up close or enthusiastically ask the tour guide. We all spontaneously clap when the game ends and the prize is given to the winner.

My husband joked: "This is a type of bingo game of Hue people". But the unique and attractive bai choi is much more interesting because the game is led by verses and songs adapted from folk songs and stories close to life, evoking love for family, homeland and country. Just standing outside watching, I could feel the joyful atmosphere, imbued with the Vietnamese countryside of the old folk game.

Bai Choi has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, but currently in Hue, only Thanh Thuy Chanh village still maintains it. Come here on holidays, Tet or every Friday, Saturday, Sunday afternoon, you will be able to participate in this healthy entertainment game, with a very high spirit of community connection.

The peaceful Nhu Y River - Photo: PHAM THI NHUNG

Leaving the bai choi area, walking along the Nhu Y River for about two hundred meters, we arrived at Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge with its unique "upper house, lower bridge" architecture, recognized as a national monument.

On the seventh day of the first lunar month, the number of visitors had dropped, so we had plenty of space to enjoy the bridge. On the river, boats were decorated with red lanterns and pots of bright yellow chrysanthemums, for tourists to rent as photo spots.

The covered bridge looks like a house on the river, with a wooden structure, tiled roof, meticulously carved in the typical Hue style. The bridge is divided into 7 sections, with two rows of wooden platforms like long chairs and railings on the side for people to lean back, rest and enjoy the scenery.

Wooden platform inside Thanh Toan tile bridge for visitors to rest - Photo: PHAM THI NHUNG

The central room houses the altar of Mrs. Tran Thi Dao, who donated money to build the bridge out of pity for the villagers who had to travel by boat, which was difficult and time-consuming. She was from Thanh Thuy Chanh village, the wife of the head mandarin of Thuan Hoa province, during the reign of King Le Hien Tong. She was praised by the king and the villagers are grateful, with a grand festival held every year on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, which is also the anniversary of her death.

Around the covered bridge, in addition to the village communal house and the martyrs' temple, there are also areas where people in the village can have fun, trade, and meet. Unfortunately, we did not come at the right time for the "Cau Ngoi Countryside Market" to enjoy the country dishes and participate in the vibrant festival.

Sitting next to my relatives on the wooden platform inside the covered bridge, enjoying the fresh breeze blowing in from the gentle Nhu Y River, watching the peaceful countryside and mountains, my heart was filled with an indescribable sense of peace. That moment was simple but filled with the joy of the whole family in the first days of the new year.

Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge with meticulously carved motifs - Photo: PHAM THI NHUNG

I quietly lit a stick of incense on the altar of Mrs. Tran Thi Dao, silently thanking her for her kindness, leaving the people of Thanh Thuy Chanh village and the country a work of immeasurable value, both material and spiritual.

Saying goodbye to the beautiful and traditional village, we got on the car and returned home. Along the road, white storks were flying over the green rice fields, in the middle of the space bathed in the brilliant yellow sunlight.

February 24 (full moon of the first lunar month) is the deadline for receiving entries for the contest "My Tet Moments"

My Tet Moments contest is an opportunity for readers to introduce the most beautiful moments and unforgettable experiences during Tet with relatives and friends.

Each article should be a maximum of 1,000 words in Vietnamese, and should include photos, photo albums or videos.

Contest entries share ideal destinations and unique lands . Through your stories, you will help many people have the opportunity to know new lands and places not to be missed when traveling during spring.

It could be an article recording the moments when friends and relatives gather, celebrate Tet and have fun together.

These are notes and recounts of personal experiences from trips and business trips away from home during Tet that you have experienced.

The photo contest highlights the beauty of the landscape, place or land you have visited. This is an opportunity to recount the vibrant colors and beautiful scenery of Vietnam or the countries you have visited.

From January 25 to February 24, readers can send their entries to khoankhactet@tuoitre.com.vn.

The award ceremony and summary are expected to take place in March 2024. The prize structure includes 1 first prize (15 million VND in cash and gifts), 2 second prizes (7 million VND and gifts), 3 third prizes (5 million VND and gifts).

The program is sponsored by HDBank.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khoanh-khac-tet-cua-toi-ve-cau-ngoi-thanh-toan-xem-hoi-bai-choi-20240222161331591.htm