Peaceful Ca Mau Cape

NDO - Ca Mau Cape, the southernmost point on the mainland of Vietnam, which writer Nguyen Tuan likened to "a big toe still wet with mud from a thousand miles away," is always brimming with simplicity and affection. There, despite many changes in life, nature and people blend together silently and simply, touching the heart.

Returning to Ca Mau , the southernmost tip of Vietnam, is like returning to the genuine, simple roots of our homeland. This southernmost point on the S-shaped map curves gently, yet also marks a proud, decisive dot amidst the vastness.

Located more than 100km from the center of Ca Mau city is the Ca Mau Cape – the southernmost point of Vietnam, and also the final point of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Kilometer 2436 of the Ho Chi Minh Trail is within the Ca Mau Cape National Tourist Area. This historical road started from Pac Bo, Cao Bang province, traversed many provinces and cities, and ended at the southernmost point.

The Mother Monument at Ca Mau Cape.

Come to Ca Mau to find peace of mind, to truly understand why this land is called the place where "the land blossoms, the forest moves, and the sea teems with life." This metaphor is both familiar and unique, reflecting how the land and people here silently and diligently contribute to the nation each day, adding layers of alluvial soil accumulated from sweat, blood, and boundless, passionate love.

National GPS coordinate marker 0001 - Ca Mau Cape.

Standing on the observation deck, taking in the vast expanse of land and sky, one suddenly sees the sea and forest blending together, land and water without boundary...

In the morning, the sun rises majestically in the east; in the evening, it sets in the west, and every moment is brilliant and glorious, as if Ca Mau Cape is the only place that can hold both ends of the day in a single magical frame. The serene beauty of this boundless expanse makes one forget all the hustle and bustle. At the southernmost point, only the wind and waves whisper stories of a thousand years ago.

The serendipitous and wonderful moment when a bird swooped down onto the monument.

Vietnam's National GPS coordinate marker 0001 (kilometer 0) is one of four extreme points marking the territory of the Fatherland on land (along with the northernmost point at Lung Cu Flagpole ( Ha Giang ), the westernmost point at A Pa Chai commune (Muong Nha, Dien Bien), the easternmost point at Mui Doi (Van Ninh, Khanh Hoa) and the southernmost point at National GPS coordinate marker 0001 (Dat Mui, Ca Mau).

GPS 0001 has become a symbol of pride. Near the coordinate marker, ancient maps are displayed, such as the "An Nam Dai Quoc Hoa Do" (Map of the Great Kingdom of An Nam) from 1838 and the "Hoang Trieu Truc Tinh Dia Du Toan Do" (Complete Map of the Imperial Provinces) from 1904, proving Vietnam's sovereignty over the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos. This clearly affirms that the islands and seas are sacred flesh and blood, an inseparable part of the nation's beautiful land.

The serene beauty of the southernmost region of our country.

Also in this place, there is a symbol that makes any visitor want to stop and admire it for as long as possible: a billboard depicting a ship facing the East Sea, with its sails marked with the coordinates of Ca Mau Cape.

Perhaps the source of this special emotion stems from the contemplation that everyone longs to stand at the furthest point of the country, where all roads seem to stop before beginning a new journey – either towards the open sea or inward, towards their own hearts.

A solemn atmosphere on this important holiday.

In the heart of the mangrove forest, visitors can walk across monkey bridges. The experience is both thrilling and carefree, like returning to childhood. Mangrove trees grow on alluvial soil, and the Rhizophora trees intertwine, creating a vibrant and resilient ecological landscape. Clusters of roots penetrate deep into the earth and water like hands gripping the land inch by inch. They live quietly, without fuss or demands – reflecting the character of the people of this southernmost region.

Local specialties such as cakes and pastries are respectfully offered by the people to commemorate the Ancestors.

Beyond its scenery, Ca Mau Cape also offers a wealth of flavors. The succulent Ca Mau crab, the mudskippers peeking out from the mudflats, the fragrant stir-fried snails with coconut milk... all blend together in the sincere and warm invitations of the locals. Each dish tells a story, a drop of salty sweat, a token of affection and dedication.

This unique land witnesses a remarkable blend of ethnic cultures. Khmer temples rise majestically in the sunlight, and festivals like Nghinh Ong, Via Ba Thien Hau, and Chol Chnam Thmay contribute to a vibrant cultural symphony. The Kinh, Hoa, and Khmer people live together, sharing festive treats, weathering the floods together, preserving every inch of their alluvial land, and inviting guests to their homes for a simple meal as a gesture of hospitality.

The people's hearts are always simple and sincere.

Perhaps the most precious thing that Ca Mau Cape offers is the peace of its surroundings, the profound tranquility within its soul, evoking a feeling we thought we had lost amidst the hurried pace of life. The quietude of Ca Mau Cape makes visitors linger, reluctant to leave this beloved and incredibly welcoming land.

In the modern pace of life, the southernmost region is now different. Wide roads, modern buildings, and sturdy houses have replaced the simple thatched roofs... During the calm season, the green mangrove forests shimmer in the sunlight, reflecting on the canals, and the red sails of local families involved in tourism flutter in the wind. But the hearts of the people in this land of "mangroves first, then nipa palms, closely following" remain as simple and unpretentious as ever.

The symbol of a boat and sails at Ca Mau Cape.

Every year in the third lunar month, when the characteristic flowers begin to fall and densely cover the water's edge, it is also the time when people in the southernmost region - thousands of kilometers away from the ancestral land - still respectfully preserve the sacred source of the Hung Kings' Ancestral Spirits on the anniversary of their death.

In the warm sunlight, amidst the shimmering waves and the pervasive scent of incense, a solemn and moving atmosphere gently permeates every soul. The rhythm of drums, footsteps, and prayers harmonizes with the rhythm of heartbeats. The Hung Kings' Commemoration Day in the southernmost region is always solemn and full of emotion, bringing together people of all backgrounds, social classes, and ages with a shared devotion to their origins.

The Hung Kings Commemoration Day in Ca Mau was celebrated solemnly and warmly.

Families offer flowers if they have them, cakes if they have them... mostly homemade offerings made with pure hearts and dedication, not bought ready-made or focused on formality. The atmosphere is solemn yet lively, respectful yet intimate and familiar. The depth of spirituality and pride seems deeply ingrained in the souls of the people here.

Standing silently before the statue of Mother Au Co amidst the land gradually encroaching on the East Sea, listening to the wind rushing against the edge of the forest, one can clearly feel the unwavering resolve in the image of the mother cradling her child in one arm and leading her child by the other, her gaze distant and faraway. A beauty that is compassionate, steadfast, and eternal.

The national flagpole stands in majestic and expansive beauty.

Somewhere, we hear echoes of space and time, reverberations from the northern mountains and forests, from the Red River Delta, from the springs of Phu Tho, reaching all the way here. Perhaps Father Lac Long Quan and Mother Au Co, on their journey to the sea and the mountains, were walking and lighting lamps to guide their descendants for generations to come.

Kilometer 2436 marks the end point of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Leaving Ca Mau Cape on a breezy afternoon, one can clearly feel as if their heart has been cleansed by the refreshing waters of memories and the love that lingers from this southernmost tip of Vietnam. The longing and emotion intensify whenever one thinks of this land at the southernmost tip – a land of sincere dreams, like the ever-flowing alluvial soil.

In that place, every inch of land, every person carries within them a piece of legend. Legends weave through the mangrove forests, into the whispering sound of the waves. In that place, children are born hearing the call of the sea, grow up to walk on rickety bridges before frolicking on well-paved roads. And they learn to bow their heads and clasp their hands before the ancestral altar even before they can spell.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/binh-yen-dat-mui-ca-mau-post871676.html