Journey to conquer Ngoc Linh peak - the "roof" of the South by a female teacher

(Dan Tri) - For more than 10 years, teaching Xo Dang children, seeing Ngoc Linh peak hidden in the clouds every day, teacher Tra Thi Thu wished to set foot on this majestic mountain one day.

Female teacher cherishes the idea of ​​conquering Ngoc Linh peak

In the 2024-2025 school year, Ms. Tra Thi Thu works at Rang Chuoi school, Tra Tap Primary Boarding School, Tra Tap commune, Nam Tra My district, Quang Nam province. The school has 2 combined 1-2 classes with 11 students.

After more than 10 years of teaching Xo Dang at the foot of Ngoc Linh mountain, where the precious medicinal herb Ngoc Linh ginseng grows, Ms. Thu dreams of one day conquering the 2,605m high mountain peak, the highest in the Truong Son range and considered the "roof" of the South.

The road to Ngoc Linh peak has no path, only forest trees covering it (Photo: Tra Thu).

Having nurtured the idea for more than 10 years, at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, Ms. Thu decided to set out to conquer Ngoc Linh mountain with a group of 10 friends and 9 local people whose task was to carry supplies, food, drinks, etc.

At 7am, the group set off from the foot of the mountain in Tra Linh commune, Nam Tra My district. From the moment she set foot in the forest, the female teacher felt that the trip would not be easy. The path was small, with dense trees on both sides, and many places required bending down to get through.

The steep slopes connect, the deeper you go, the denser the forest, the humid and cold air.

Ms. Thu and members of the group conquered Ngoc Linh peak (Photo: Tra Thi Thu).

"What I remember most is the strange beauty of the forest. The trees are so big that three or four people can barely hug them, with moss covering their roots. The wildflowers growing along the roadside are tiny but brilliant. Wild mushrooms of all colors grow among the rotten tree roots. Everywhere you look, it's like a vivid, wild, and enchanting picture," Ms. Thu said.

4:00 p.m. arrive at the halfway point on the mountain, at an altitude of about 2,500m to set up camp, rest, have dinner and regain strength for the next day to conquer an altitude of 2,605m.

The pristine Ngoc Linh forest with many trees of strange shapes (Photo: Tra Thu).

When night fell, the whole group had to face the bitter cold of the Truong Son mountains. Warm clothes, blankets, socks, scarves, sleeping bags... or anything that could warm the body were brought out to wrap around the body...

At 7am the next day, the group set off and about an hour later arrived at the stele marking the altitude of 2,605m.

A break for 20 members conquering Ngoc Linh peak (Photo: Tra Thu).

"The moment I reached the top, I was so moved that I was speechless," Ms. Thu shared.

Nguyen Thi Huynh, a member of the group, recounted: "When conquering Ngoc Linh peak, there were times when my legs felt like they were about to collapse, my mind was hazy in the thick fog, I suddenly felt so small. But my teammates, laughter and sharing helped me complete the trip."

According to Huynh, what made the trip special was the evening by the Xo Dang people’s fire. Amidst the sounds of wild animals in the mountains and forests, oral stories about the sacred mountain peak served as a reminder of the responsibility to preserve nature and culture.

Where people blend with wild nature

According to Ms. Thu's feelings, when the clouds surround Ngoc Linh peak, not only can you see a towering mountain, but you can also feel the breath of the old forest, of the people and of a cultural heritage living in the heart of the Central Highlands.

The group set up camp to rest, cook, and sleep overnight at an altitude of 2,500m (Photo: Tra Thi Thu).

Conquering Ngoc Linh is not simply about overcoming steep slopes or slippery roads after the rain. It is a journey to discover one's own resilience, connection with nature and deep empathy with the indigenous people.

In the deep forest, Ngoc Linh ginseng, the "national treasure" of the great forest, is quietly growing at a harsh altitude, as a testament to the strong vitality and longevity of this land.

Ngoc Linh ginseng is not only a precious treasure in medicine, but also a symbol of national pride and gratitude to nature that the people here have always tried to preserve through many generations.

Mr. Ho Van Ut - a Xo Dang person who has been attached to Ngoc Linh mountain since childhood, shared: "Ngoc Linh is not only a towering mountain but also a "mother" who has sheltered and protected us for many generations.

People often say that the mountains and forests are the soul of the land. To us, Ngoc Linh is the source of life, a sacred place. When standing in front of the mountain, we feel tolerance and protection, like a mother spreading her arms to embrace us.

According to Mr. Ut, the Xo Dang people always preserve and cherish every inch of land and every tree on this mountain top, considering it their sacred duty.

In the middle of the forest, Ngoc Linh ginseng, a rare and medicinal ginseng species, grows strongly as a symbol of the enduring vitality of the people here. Not only is it a treasure of the mountains and forests, Ngoc Linh ginseng is also a source of pride, a testament to the harmonious connection between humans and nature.

"We realized that if we don't protect it, this beauty will not last forever. This journey is a commitment to protect the place we call our second home," Ut said.

Mr. Phan Quoc Cuong, a member of the team conquering Ngoc Linh peak, shared: "What motivated me to choose Ngoc Linh peak, a dangerous place where few people set foot, was the desire to explore the pristine, majestic beauty of nature and the strong vitality of the mountains and forests."

That arduous journey helped him overcome his own limits and deeply understand the life and resilience of the highland people.

Ngoc Linh is also famous for its precious ginseng, a symbol of health and longevity, which adds to the sacred meaning of the trip. It is not only a journey to conquer geography, but also a journey of experience and connection with nature and the people here.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/hanh-trinh-chinh-phuc-dinh-ngoc-linh-noc-nha-mien-nam-cua-nu-giao-vien-20250525221047159.htm