Passing through the land of white mist

White mist blankets the village of A Râng (A Xan commune, Tây Giang district). Photo: DANG NGUYEN

My friend said that as ecotourism and community-based tourism destinations in the mountainous areas of Quang Nam are gradually gaining recognition on the tourism map, adventures capturing beautiful moments are always sought after by enthusiasts. Especially during the season when the mountain mist descends, amidst the mystical scenery, the villages of ethnic minorities appear and disappear beneath the white mist, creating a unique and captivating allure.

Going upstream for a spring trip.

A gentle spring sunshine falls upon a corner of Voong village (Tr'Hy commune, Tay Giang district). Very quickly, clusters of white mist covering each rooftop begin to move. That moment brings back memories of a few years ago, also on this road to the border commune of Tr'Hy – the peak of Que mountain, shrouded in mist in the soft spring sunshine, felt both distant and close.

The highland villages are shrouded in white mist. Perched atop the ethereal A Xan mountain, the village of A Rang shimmers in the vast open space. Against a backdrop of thick, clear mist, a closed arc with a central gươl (traditional communal house) gradually emerges, revealing the uniquely beautiful Co Tu village to visitors.

Surprisingly, the Co Tu people wake up very early. As soon as dawn breaks, the elderly women bring their looms out to the front porch and begin weaving brocade. A unique characteristic of their craft, the skillful hands of Co Tu women create colorful brocade fabrics, which become gifts for visitors during the spring season.

According to Mr. Alang Toa, head of A Rang village, the Co Tu people traditionally give "lucky money" to honored guests during Tet (Lunar New Year) with brocade fabrics or family jewelry such as agate, beads, or sculptures. These gifts, though not of great material value, contain the host's affection for the guest and carry a profound humanistic meaning, wishing everyone a peaceful new year.

“During Tet (Lunar New Year), visitors to the village, especially those from far away, are warmly welcomed by the Co Tu people. The finest dishes are served as a way of expressing affection, because the Co Tu people believe that only the feelings given to one another are the most important thing. That is also the most meaningful spring gift,” said Mr. Alang Toa.

In the highlands, springtime brings many interesting destinations created by community-oriented projects. Beyond the village setting, at the beginning of the new year, highland people often seek out rivers, streams, primeval forests, and even hydroelectric dams at the foot of the mountains. In Nam Giang, in recent years, the Nam Giang - Dak Ta Ooc International Border Gate area has become an ideal spring travel destination for people living along the Vietnam-Laos border...

Experience a unique space.

In recent years, Tet (Lunar New Year) for people in the highlands has not only been about visiting and exchanging New Year greetings, but also about dedicating more time to experiential journeys. "Where are we going this Tet?" – this question from friends during year-end gatherings always motivates us to seek out new destinations with unique atmospheres.

Young people experience springtime excursions at border markers.

Last year, we embarked on a spring trip together along the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail. But we weren't the only travelers. Along the more than 50km route from Prao (Dong Giang) to Thanh My (Nam Giang), we occasionally encountered groups of people, including foreign tourists, who shared the same interest in experiencing the "white mist road" at the beginning of the new year.

By chance, we captured beautiful moments at our stopping points. Amidst the swirling mountain mist, the lake's surface appeared even clearer and bluer. This serendipitous combination of nature created a gentle, peaceful, and poetic scene. At the foot of the Truong Son Mountains, the feeling of being immersed in the crisp, cool mist was like being lost in a place that was both strange and familiar.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Hung, Head of the Culture and Tourism Department of Nam Giang district, said that in recent years, tourists have gradually become interested in experiencing the Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere of the ethnic minorities in the mountainous areas. Many appointments have been arranged by community tourism tour operators, bringing tourists closer to the villages of the mountainous people, the atmosphere of traditional Tet celebrations, as well as unique stories of spring excursions at the "gateway to heaven"...

“Some young people enjoy exploring and experiencing new things. And during the Lunar New Year holidays, they often invite each other to visit streams, primeval forests, hydroelectric reservoirs, and border markers to… enjoy the spring season. For them, it’s not simply a journey of experience, but an opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and pray for good health and good fortune in the new year,” Mr. Hung shared.

Seizing the opportunity presented by the experiential tourism trend, Mr. Hung said that the locality is developing a community tourism model in Dong Ram (Thanh My town) with many vibrant and unique spaces through exploration and experiential tours, promising to bring many interesting surprises to tourists.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/di-qua-mien-suong-trang-3148188.html