The realm of love

During the busy months before Tet, amidst the atmosphere of reunion following spring on all roads of the Fatherland, we had the opportunity to gather on the Heritage - Thai Nguyen photo tour, to feel the elegance in cultural life, the richness of local products and above all, the sincerity of the children of the martial land of Tea.

Thai Hai tourist village welcomed the group with warm hugs. The village invited us to join the Gratitude ceremony, joining the procession to express gratitude to the gods and parents who have protected the Tay people over the past year with favorable weather and a prosperous life. The villagers passed the fire to each other, lighting up the festival atmosphere with traditional Then music. Through the eyes and smiles of the Tay community from children to the elderly, we called this "happy village". It is no coincidence that the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) honored "The best tourist village in the world" in 2022, because of the efforts in preserving the stilt houses and customs imbued with national identity of the village chief and the people here.

On the journey to discover the cultural identity of the ethnic groups in this midland land, we also learned about the Tac Xinh dance of the San Chay people, the Tham Roc puppetry troupe and the Tay people's conical hat weaving craft. In the warm atmosphere of the local people and the group of photographers and writers from 3 regions, we were also introduced to the traditional craft of making banh chung by the artisans of Bo Dau village. By the red fire to boil the banh chung pot, the feelings given and the affectionate eyes received created a feeling of love in each member of the group.

The “red thread” connecting the past and the present continues to take us to the Safe Zone – ATK Dinh Hoa – a meaningful stop in the Viet Bac resistance base – the Windy Capital. This is where the nation’s turning-point decisions were made, such as the Dien Bien Phu campaign that left a golden mark in the country’s history. We, the descendants, respectfully bow and offer incense to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh and our ancestors at the Memorial House on the top of De Pass, which is also the center of the ATK Dinh Hoa historical relic complex, which has been recognized by the State as a special National Monument since 2012.

The stories about Thai Nguyen are still full, bringing the photo tour group to experience the martial spirit and culture of Tra land. Martial arts have existed in Thai Nguyen for many generations, passed down through many generations, from the time of Ly Nam De establishing Van Xuan country to the time when General Luu Nhan Chu assisted Thai To Le Loi in repelling foreign invaders. The crystallization of national martial arts from traditional martial arts and modern martial arts has formed a unique martial art for Thai Nguyen, not only good for health training but also to protect the homeland.

The last stop of the group was the Tan Cuong tea region. We had the opportunity to learn about one of the famous tea growing regions known as one of the "Four Great Teas" of Thailand, including Tan Cuong (Thai Nguyen city), La Bang (Dai Tu), Trai Cai (Dong Hy) and Khe Coc (Phu Luong). Mother Nature has favored Thai Nguyen with suitable soil and favorable climate, and the people of this land have turned tea into an internal force, a strength to build a prosperous future. Walking on the green tea fields, watching the hands nimbly picking tea, witnessing the professional diligence in harvesting and processing, and the pride when raising a cup of "bitter at first, sweet at last" tea for visitors to enjoy, we understood why Thai people proudly affirm that: for Thai Nguyen, tea is the past, the present, and the future!

We left Thai Nguyen when the last rays of sunlight had disappeared on Nui Coc Lake, the space seemed to be sinking into nothingness, only "a song among the vast clouds and sky" (excerpt from the song Legend of Nui Coc Lake by musician Pho Duc Phuong) remained forever resounding. We hope to return to Thai Nguyen many more times, to sit together on the cool green tea hills, remember the old war zone and share our deep affection over a cup of tea rich in the scent of the South.

Heritage Magazine