Along the white reed fields - Dak Lak Electronic Newspaper

05:25, 03/12/2023

As the pale golden afternoon sun filters through the leaves, bringing with it a touch of coolness that spreads everywhere, groups of young people gather in the reed-covered fields along the Han River ( Da Nang City), and in the tranquil areas near the sea.

Amidst the colorful costumes, laughter, whispers, and murmurs mingled with the countless pristine white reeds gently swaying in the breeze.

Mop.

In recent years, the season when the reeds bloom white is no longer just a time marker but has become a tourism product, attracting many locals and tourists.

Amidst the vast expanse of grass and flowers, they immersed themselves in nature, capturing unforgettable moments.

The white reeds, swaying gently in the breeze, create a peaceful and poetic atmosphere. Standing amidst the vast expanse of white reeds, gazing up at the blue sky and the softly drifting white clouds, you'll surely wish this tranquil moment could last forever.

Young girls in the prime of their youth shyly stand beside flowers gently swaying in the breeze, as if searching for answers, for a foundation for the purity and innocence of their souls. Each person is born and grows up searching for their own purpose and meaning in life.

But when they meet in the field of white reeds, they will surely share the same desire: to find a little peace amidst the moment of transition between earth and sky. The field of white reeds symbolizes the purity and innocence of the soul, soft and gentle in the breeze, just as you calmly and peacefully embrace the "winds" of life.

We've seen delicate white reeds growing in border regions, or vast fields of reeds along riverbanks in the midland and mountainous areas of Northern Vietnam. But the white reeds blooming profusely in Da Nang – the city at the confluence of the sea and the river – evoke indescribable emotions, signaling a shift in nature. This shift is seen by the locals as a sign of the coming season of peace.

According to local fishermen, the reeds only bloom white across the sky after this year's storms have passed, leaving peace for the land and the sea. For years, this central region of Vietnam has been burdened by natural disasters.

Typhoons like Chanchu, Xangsane (2006); Ketsana (2009); Son Tinh (2012); Haiyan (2013)... have claimed property, lives, and caused countless tears. Many fishing boats and fishermen have perished forever in the cold sea. Many brave veteran fishermen and young men managed to return, narrowly escaping death, but suffered lifelong injuries. Many families were plunged into debt, orphaned, and left alone because of nature's fury.

People liken the central strip of land to a carrying pole—fragile yet resilient, strong and flexible, bending but never breaking. After the rain, the sun shines again, boats cut through the waves and head out to sea, and people along the coast return to the fields for the new planting season.

The boys and girls captured the moment amidst the white reeds.

Based on generations of experience, the local people have always considered the delicate white reeds, though fragile and swaying in the wind, to be subtle enough to remain hidden in the soil for a year. The reeds only emerge to welcome the wind when the earth and sky are calm and nature is in harmony. That moment is the season of peace, strengthening faith and willpower, compensating for the losses and hardships of the people in this land of abundant sunshine, wind, and natural disasters.

Winter has arrived. People's footsteps seem to quicken, striving to achieve their year's goals, or wandering in dreamy realms. The reed fields, after displaying their vibrant colors for about two or three weeks, gradually wither, sowing seeds of hope into the earth. They patiently lie dormant, then rise to greet the wind, waiting for the return of human footsteps, bringing with them freshness and peace…

Phan Chung

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