Along the Nam Lung River

From the cloud-covered mountain peaks, the crystal-clear Nam Lung River meanders through Tu Le commune like a lifeline nourishing the fertile valley at the foot of Khau Pha Pass. This river not only irrigates the famous sticky rice fields that have thrived for generations, but also silently preserves the memories, lifestyles, and farming culture of the Thai people in this area.

The elderly people of Tú Lệ recount that the Nậm Lùng stream has been crystal clear since their childhood. Countless generations of Thái people here have grown up beside that stream. For them, the Nậm Lùng is not simply a mountain stream, but also an inseparable part of their memories and lives.

In the old days, before the sun had even risen above the peak of Khau Pha, the sound of trickling water blended with the pounding of pestles for making rice flakes and the calls of the Thai people heading to the fields.

Along the stream's banks, women carry their clothes to wash, children excitedly bathe in the cool water every summer afternoon, and men follow the stream to build embankments and channel water into the fields.

At that time, Nam Lung was like the lifeblood of the village, flowing into every folk song and every traditional dance during the harvest festivals.

The Thai people in Tu Le live in harmony with the water flow. Their stilt houses face the fields, their backs against the mountains, and in front are small canals carrying water from Nam Lung, winding through the rice paddies. For generations, the people have passed down the experience of choosing the right time to bring in water, sow seedlings, and transplant rice to produce the famous fragrant and sticky Tu Le sticky rice.

Mr. Dong Van Minh, a respected figure in Pom Ban village, said: "The Nam Lung stream originates from Lang Tinh mountain, flows through Khau Pha pass, and then meanders through most of the rice fields of Tu Le. For the people here, this stream is very precious. Without this water source, it would be difficult to produce the fragrant and delicious sticky rice that we have today in the entire Tu Le rice field."

In mid-May, as the early summer sun begins to golden-hue the mountain slopes, the people of the Tu Le valley are busy heading to the fields. On the rice paddies, water from the Nam Lung River continues to flow steadily through the irrigation gates.

That stream has contributed to creating a unique "quality" for the 100 hectares of concentrated Tú Lệ sticky rice growing area - a fragrant, sticky rice that anyone who has tasted it once will find hard to forget.

Having been involved with rice paddies since childhood, the family of Mr. Lo Van Tinh in Bung Som village has cultivated glutinous rice in the Tu Le rice fields for generations. Currently, his family maintains over 1,000 m² of glutinous rice paddies and is one of the households with experience in planting and caring for rice according to the traditional customs of the Thai people.

Mr. Tinh shared: "The deliciousness of Tu Le sticky rice comes not only from the rice variety but also from the Nam Lung stream. The water here is cool year-round and rich in natural alluvial soil, flowing into the fields, allowing the rice plants to grow slowly but surely, resulting in stickyer and more fragrant grains. Even the water from the source used to steam the sticky rice creates a very unique flavor, so many people from the lowlands who come here to buy rice bring along containers of water to take home."

Besides nurturing the rice fields, in recent years, Nam Lung has also contributed to creating a unique attraction for community tourism in Tu Le. Tourists come here to experience the peaceful pace of life in the land at the foot of Khau Pha Pass.

In the stories of homestay owners and local guides, Nam Lung is always mentioned as the soul of the Tu Le rice fields.

Every morning, while the mist still lingers, many tourists enjoy following the small path along the stream to admire the scene of locals channeling water into the fields, listening to the gentle sound of the water mingling with the chirping of forest birds and the calls of the local people working together. Some simply sit silently for hours by the stream to feel the peace that is hard to find in the city.

During the rice harvest season, the surface of the Nam Lung River reflects the golden hues of the entire valley like a mirror, creating a scene that leaves many tourists in awe.

However, along with the changing pace of life, the Nam Lung stream is also facing many pressures. In recent years, climate change has made the weather increasingly erratic. Some years, heavy and prolonged rains make the stream water muddy, carrying soil and rocks from the headwaters; at other times, droughts cause a significant decrease in water levels.

The development of tourism and the increase in population, if not accompanied by a sense of conservation, can also affect the environment of the stream, which has been pristine for generations.

Aware of this, the local Party committee, government, and people of Tu Le are gradually working together to protect Nam Lung stream as if it were their own source of livelihood. Recently, Tu Le commune has regularly organized environmental cleanup campaigns along both banks of the stream, raising awareness and encouraging people not to dump household waste into the water source. Many irrigation canals have been proactively dredged and cleared by the people to ensure water supply for production. Some villages have even incorporated water source protection into their village regulations and community agreements.

Recognizing the importance of protecting the upstream ecosystem and maintaining the stability of the Nam Lung River, Tu Le commune has implemented many comprehensive solutions such as strengthening the protection of upstream forests; promoting awareness campaigns among the people; investing in and upgrading the irrigation canal system; proactively developing plans for drought and natural disaster prevention and adaptation to climate change; and strengthening inspection and handling of activities that may affect water quality and the natural landscape...

Mr. Hoang Trong Nghia - Chairman of the People's Committee of Tu Le Commune.

Amidst the ever-changing modern pace of life, the Nam Lung stream continues its journey, irrigating the rice paddies, reflecting the mountains' shadows every afternoon, and silently nurturing the unique beauty of this land. This stream has become an integral part of Tu Le's "soul," contributing to the preservation of the rustic, pristine beauty that has captivated countless visitors.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/ben-dong-nam-lung-post899809.html