Western tourists tell stories about harvesting rice and catching crabs in Co To

Loic Pesquerl and Antoine Habert, two French tourists, experienced being farmers harvesting rice, plowing fields, catching crabs and snails at sea... when traveling to Co To (Quang Ninh).

On a beautiful sunny day in mid-November, Loic Pesquerl and his companion Antoine Habert from France took a boat to Co To special zone in Quang Ninh province for tourism . In addition to visiting famous places on the island, they both went to the fields with the locals to experience being farmers "in season" with the people.

In the morning, on the vast fields of Hai Tien village, both Westerners were instructed by the locals on how to use sickles to harvest rice and were interested in this experience. Mrs. Bui Thi Phuong, a resident of Hai Tien village, shared: "Seeing the foreigners go down to the fields to harvest, I was both surprised and happy. They were clumsy but very diligent, and even asked how to do it correctly. They looked very excited to experience being a farmer."

Loic Pesquerl, with his clumsy hands, said that the experience of being a farmer on Co To Island was wonderful. "I got to hold a sickle to harvest rice, carry rice on my shoulder and feel the simple life of the people here. This feeling is more wonderful than any tour I have ever participated in."

Loic Pesquerl added that amidst the smell of new straw, the crisp laughter of farmers mixed with the bustling rhythm of harvesting and the sound of the sea breeze rustling in the fields, Co To appears simple, close and full of life. He feels the land is peaceful and the people are very friendly.

For Antoine Habert, in addition to the experience of harvesting rice, the locals also let him experience being a "real farmer" by plowing the fields with buffalo. He said that both of them chose Co To Island to visit and experience because they wanted to explore and immerse themselves in the simple life of the people on the island.

"My companion and I were guided by the islanders on how to harvest rice, bundle rice, and carry the ripe rice to the yard. The experience of being a farmer on Co To Island was wonderful!", Antoine Habert shared.

In the afternoon, both French tourists joined the locals in catching crabs, snails and clams. Antoine Habert excitedly shared his feelings when experiencing clam and snail raking in the tidal flats with the islanders: "I never thought that catching snails and clams would be so interesting! The feeling of wading down to the tidal flats, raking the sand to find each clam and snail with the locals was so much fun. They smiled a lot, guided me enthusiastically and treated me like a friend. This was a wonderful experience in Vietnam."

According to the Co To special zone government, the seasonal tourism program in Co To is being jointly implemented by many households and homestays, combining "sightseeing - working - local cuisine ". After the rice harvest, or each trip of raking clams, catching snails, fishing, visitors can enjoy a rustic meal with cool clam soup, crispy pickled eggplant, fresh green garden vegetables and sour fish, fully flavored with the life of the islanders.

Ms. Nguyen Minh Hue, owner of homestay CoTo Center, Hai Tien village, said that tourists come to Co To not only to see the sea or enjoy seafood, but also want to touch the real life of the islanders, go to the fields, visit the gardens, go clam digging, catch snails, cook a home-cooked meal. "We always encourage tourists to participate in those simple activities, because it is the simplicity and sincerity that keeps them coming back," Ms. Hue shared.

According to Ms. Hue, for the islanders, opening a homestay is not only about tourism, but also a way to introduce the identity of Vietnam's sea and islands, from food, customs to a lifestyle close to nature. The people of Co To want every visitor when leaving the pearl island to carry with them a little bit of the scent of the sea, the scent of rice and the love of the Vietnamese people.

Source: https://znews.vn/du-khach-gat-lua-bat-cua-o-co-to-quang-ninh-post1601912.html