Morning in A Lưới begins with a thin mist still clinging to the stilt houses, gentle rays of sunlight filtering through the leaves and resting on the glistening raindrops left over from the night. There are no hurried car horns, only the crowing of roosters, the clicking of looms, and the cheerful chatter of children heading to school. Amidst the vast expanse of the mountains and forests, life here flows slowly, allowing one to fully appreciate the breath of the wilderness.
This area, spanning over 1,100 km² , has an average altitude ranging from 600 m to over 1,100 m and is located approximately 70 km from Hue City. The majority of the inhabitants are ethnic Ta Oi, Pa Co, and Co Tu people, who still preserve their way of life and identity through festivals, songs, traditional fabrics, and stilt houses nestled on the mountain slopes.
The weekend markets are like a vibrant painting. Women wear headscarves and brocade skirts, carrying baskets of bamboo shoots and wild chili peppers; men gather around cups of rice wine; and children run around the colorful stalls. The food in A Lưới has its own unique flavors, from fragrant grilled stream fish and sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes to spicy green chili salt.
In the afternoon, as the sun slanted across the hillsides, the small road leading to the village became more peaceful. The sounds of buffalo bells, flutes, and children practicing the xoang dance in preparation for the festival blended into the unique symphony of the vast forest. A Lưới retained its inherent tranquility, only adding a touch of warmth from smiles and the lingering smoke from cooking fires in the afternoon.
Mr. Vo Doan Thong from Quang Tri shared that his trip to A Luoi left him with many special emotions. Upon his first visit, Mr. Thong was impressed by the lush green of the mountains and forests, the cool air, and the friendliness of the local people. He said: “Sitting by the fire listening to the village elders tell old stories, or trying my hand at weaving some zèng fabric with the women, I felt like time stood still. A Luoi not only brought me peace but also gave me a very different kind of energy, an energy that only the vast mountains can bestow.”
Along the winding mountain roads, figures slung over baskets of bamboo shoots, and the sounds of people calling out to each other echo from afar. The scenery and atmosphere of A Lưới are present in every house and field, making anyone who sets foot here feel as if they have lived here before.
Mr. Nguyen Hai Teo, a resident of A Luoi 2 commune, believes that the most valuable thing about his homeland is the strong sense of community. He recounts that from building houses and cultivating fields to organizing festivals, everyone pitches in, contributing whatever they can. “We treat each other like family. Even strangers are invited to share a meal and a glass of rice wine. That spirit is what gives this land its vitality,” Mr. Teo shared.
Leaving A Lưới, one is easily captivated not by its bustling atmosphere, but by its simple, peaceful way of life. Amidst the changes, this area west of Hue City still retains a pristine tranquility, a place where anyone who has visited once will carry the breath of the mountains and forests in their memory.
Source: https://baolamdong.vn/a-luoi-binh-yen-giua-dai-ngan-truong-son-391355.html
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