Discover Bhutan, the "Kingdom of Happiness".

NDĐT - With a few million people living peacefully and serenely, and with stunning natural scenery at the foot of the Himalayas, Bhutan is honored as the "happiest kingdom in the world." Bhutan has a Ministry dedicated to the happiness of its citizens. It is also the only country with zero greenhouse gas emissions, or "negative emissions," with at least 72% of its territory still covered by pristine forests.

Bhutan has been voted the happiest country in the world .

Many believe that the ancestors of humankind emerged from the forest. Therefore, the desire to connect with nature is inherent in each of us from a past life. Being integrated with nature is a fundamental tenet of the concept of happiness. If this is true, then Bhutan will offer you a truly magical kind of happiness. Thimphu is the only capital city in the world that, when we visited, still didn't need traffic lights. The population is small, the people are gentle and full of happiness; there are no traffic jams, no honking, and no fighting for every centimeter of road space.

A few years ago, I traveled to Bhutan for the first time by commercial aircraft. We had to make several hours of layovers in Thailand, then stop in India for the plane to pick up more passengers, before finally arriving in the "Land of Happiness." Bhutan's Paro International Airport is small and nestled between two very high mountain ranges, so only about a dozen pilots in the world can navigate it for takeoff and landing. Now, with technological advancements, major travel companies like Vietravel charter flights to take tourists to Bhutan directly from Hanoi. Therefore, we decided to return to this legendary land once again.

The people of Bhutan enjoy throwing javelins and shooting arrows.

Bhutanese people take great pride in their vibrant cultural identity, as well as their romantic life in the towering mountains. Perhaps that's why the magazines placed on each airplane seat back feature maps of the most famous peaks of the "roof of the world." When flying over the area containing the second-highest mountain range on Earth, flight attendants announce over the loudspeaker, inviting passengers to look out the window and admire the magnificent snow-capped peaks.

Visiting Bhutan, you'll understand the concept of preserving cultural identity. Attending the flag-raising ceremony at the Royal Palace, you'll see government leaders wearing Gho (a type of traditional skirt) to work. Throughout the streets and even in the dreamy, fairytale-like countryside, traditional clothing remains intact for 100% of the population, not just for ceremonies or reenactments for tourists. Many of Bhutan's high-ranking leaders are very young, enjoy photography, some have even published photo books, and attend international conferences wearing Gho skirts just like their ancestors did centuries ago.

In the afternoon, we witnessed a throng of men carrying bows to the stadium to compete in archery. They were so passionate about archery that they went every day amidst thunderous cheers. Their happiness was so simple.

Beyond the ancient monasteries and palaces, what truly captivates Bhutan is perhaps its pristine and magnificent nature. Ancient forests with their moss-covered, gnarled trees and parasitic plants, the sky filled with colorful prayer flags, and the whimsical depictions of fertility symbolism – a strange and wondrous belief. The primeval forest stretches endlessly, meticulously protected, and after traversing countless fragrant flowers and exotic plants, visitors reach a heavenly peak shrouded in clouds. There, you'll find ancient temples and monasteries. The stunning valleys of Paro boast crystal-clear streams, pristine white rocks, and banks covered in golden and green moss; the rivers and streams reflect the vibrant golden foliage of the trees. We visited monasteries where nearly a hundred nuns live and practice their faith. For six months of the year, the ancient forest is covered in snow, isolating them almost completely from the outside world.

Taktsang Monastery - Tiger's Nest is located halfway up the mountain.

If you haven't visited Taktsang Monastery – Tiger's Nest – then you haven't truly been to Bhutan. Combining horseback riding and hiking, it takes three hours to traverse the mountains and climb 850 stone steps to reach Tiger's Nest Monastery. From afar, the majestic Taktsang mountain rises like the face of a powerful tiger, its ears perked up, its gaze fixed on the mist. Riding through the forest, immersed in the birds, wild animals, and the vibrant colors of the foliage, is a truly unforgettable experience.

With each mountain peak, nature reveals more and more beauty, leaving visitors in awe. Ascending, the sky and clouds create a different, breathtaking scene; descending is even more mesmerizing. You'll be amazed at how they managed to find such a precarious cliff and devise such a daring plan: building an ancient monastery on this sheer cliff face, reaching a height of 900 meters. Religion and love, gratitude for pristine nature, have become one, a philosophy of life for the Bhutanese people. They believe that Guru Padmasambhava (the great master considered the "second Buddha" by the Himalayan nations) rode a tiger through this area and sat at Tiger's Nest to meditate. Therefore, every Bhutanese person longs to visit the sacred Tiger's Nest at least once in their lifetime, just as their Tibetan neighbors strive to reach the sacred Silver Mountain to achieve enlightenment.

The Bhutanese people live in harmony with the natural environment of the mountains and forests.

Whether visiting the Takin sanctuary, home to the rare goat-headed animal of the Himalayas; exploring ancient cities and fortresses along shimmering rivers reflecting the ancient forests; or pausing at the Dochula Pass amidst swirling mists and cold winds at an altitude of over 3,100 meters above sea level, admiring the 108 stupas symbolizing 108 prayers for the safety of people and vehicles crossing the pass and for warding off evil spirits – Bhutanese nature remains the primary source of inspiration, the most captivating element.

The King of Bhutan is one of the youngest monarchs in the world. On the day the King and Queen gave birth to their son, the people of Bhutan planted 108,000 trees to celebrate. This event set a world record for the Bhutanese people's love of the color green. A visit to Bhutan will allow you to experience the benevolent embrace of nature, cleansing your soul.

HOANG QUAN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/kham-pha-vuong-quoc-hanh-phuc-bhutan-post377004.html