The historical and cultural relics in this "land of virtuous people" still retain their pristine beauty, unchanged from the past, a rare sight compared to places with large tourist crowds. Here, visitors can freely enjoy the cool breeze carrying moisture from the lake reflecting the sky and clouds, letting their minds wander under the canopy of ancient trees, some over a hundred years old, that still shelter day and night the most unique "heavenly well" in Tra Vinh province.
A single place name has as many as 10 different versions.
Ba Om Pond (also known as Square Pond due to its square shape) is considered one of Tra Vinh's most distinctive scenic spots, alongside a series of temples with unique ancient Khmer architecture. Not only is it famous for its harmonious green landscape of tall, ancient trees providing shade, acting as sturdy walls protecting the pond on all four sides, and like a perpetually vibrant green cloak; Ba Om Pond is also known for its unique origin legend and 10 strange oral versions.
In an ancient Khmer pond-digging competition between men and women, Lady Om cleverly guided the women's group to victory over the men's. She was named after the most beautiful pond in the region as a way of commemorating her. Later versions of the story are also oral traditions with positive meanings, reflecting the richness and diversity of the local folk culture.
A crystal-clear skylight in the tranquil land of Tra Vinh.
The day I arrived, the lotus flowers nestled by the edge of the lake, just beginning to bud. My friend smiled gently; perhaps the lotuses were still shy, as the lake had been bustling with visitors lately. Children vied with each other to climb the giant roots of the ancient oil palm and star trees on the lakeshore. The sounds of children's chatter, the clanging of ice cream carts, shaved ice syrup vendors, and cotton candy stalls set up near trees mingled with the rustling of leaves high above.
You invited my family to arrange a trip back to the pond in the tenth lunar month. On October nights, the pond's surface shimmers even more brightly with hundreds of colorful sky lanterns released into the air to pray for a bountiful harvest, accompanied by the gentle melodies of Khmer folk songs. The singing of the people or the whispering of the pond softly stirs the earth and sky, creating a heartfelt and enchanting lullaby. Ba Om Pond stands as a witness connecting people with the earth and sky, an outstretched arm preserving the beautiful folk culture of the local people.
Tra Vinh is a land of Theravada Buddhism. Khmer temples, nestled amidst lush greenery, add a touch of charm to this region rich in folk religious and cultural traditions. Ang Pagoda, situated next to a pond, is one of Tra Vinh's famous temples, built over ten centuries ago. The exquisite carvings, the vibrant colors of the ancient walls and roofs, the huts where monks studied and meditated… all are sheltered by the tall, brown chò trees above.
Perhaps we will soon return to Tra Vinh, to revisit the houses with their buffalo sheds smelling faintly of straw; to see the black dogs lying peacefully from the house to the street, from the street to the temple courtyard, without a single bark, silently watching people pass by and listening to the scriptures.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/gieng-troi-trong-vat-giua-xu-hien-3304903.html
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