Meo Vac – Peaceful pieces on the Dong Van stone plateau

Meo Vac District (Ha Giang) is not only beautiful because of its majestic natural scenery, or the unique cultural identity of 17 ethnic groups, but also because of the peaceful, rustic life of the people in the highland border villages. It is these simple things that make Meo Vac appear like a vivid, poetic picture; a place that anyone who has ever set foot in will carry with them a feeling of nostalgia and not wanting to leave.

Peaceful green patches

May – when the first rays of summer sunlight penetrate the silver-gray cat-ear mountains, Meo Vac puts on a new, green, fresh coat. On both sides of the mountain slopes along the road leading to the villages are lush corn fields, a plant closely associated with the lives and souls of the highlanders. Amidst the undulating mountains and forests are spacious houses, nestled peacefully in the majestic land and sky.

Panoramic view of a peaceful valley in Meo Vac district ( Ha Giang ).

Although I have been attached to this highland for 15 years, every time I return to the villages, I am still amazed by the peace here that has not diminished over the years. There are still houses surrounded by stone fences, there are still the early crowing of roosters, the fragrant smell of kitchen smoke in the air and the warm smiles of the simple people. The pace of life here flows quietly and is full of vitality.

A simple smile in front of a wooden house - where the affection between the government and the people blossoms through each handshake and each caring visit.

A highland that is changing every day

The lives of Meo Vac people today have improved significantly. From transportation, housing, schools to electricity... all bear the mark of the attention of the Party, the State and the efforts of local authorities and armed forces. Concrete roads have extended to the most remote villages, replacing the bumpy, rocky paths and slippery red soil on rainy days. New, solid houses rising on the mountainside are proof of the existing prosperity.

No more muddy steps or sliding down rocky slopes - now, concrete roads have reached every village, bringing with them the hope of change.

Here, border guards, military , and commune police still quietly "stay in the village", eat, live, and work with the people; not only to preserve every inch of border land but also to contribute to improving their new life. Commune and district cadres also stay close to the grassroots day and night, propagating and mobilizing people to change their thinking and way of doing things. Thanks to that, many households have risen out of poverty, developed their economy from raising livestock, growing crops, and doing community tourism...

Soldiers stay in the village, help people change their thinking, and rise up to escape poverty in remote areas.

Tourism – the door to the future

From a highland with many difficulties from transportation to daily life, Meo Vac has now risen to become an attractive tourist destination, making visitors unable to ignore when coming to Ha Giang. Each season, Meo Vac has its own beauty: Spring peach blossoms, plum blossoms blooming white in the mountains and forests; summer green young corn; autumn sunshine pouring honey, wild flowers competing to show off their colors on the rocky mountain slopes; winter cold fog. Visitors come here not only to admire the scenery, but also to live - to feel and to connect.

Meo Vac has now become an attractive tourist destination, making it impossible for visitors to miss when coming to Ha Giang.

Community tourism has developed step by step, associated with local culture. Many Mong, Lo Lo, Tay houses have been renovated into homestays, welcoming visitors from afar. Local meals, panpipe dances, the sound of panpipes, and the sound of pounding rice cakes during festivals have become special charms. The district government also focuses on preserving identity, conserving traditional architecture, and encouraging sustainable development so that tourism is a bridge to bring Meo Vac to the world, while still preserving the soul of the mountains and forests.

Meo Vac district focuses on preserving cultural identity and developing tourism while still retaining the soul of the mountains and forests.

Meo Vac in me

The trips to the villages always leave special impressions on me. I often quietly admire the cat-ear stone mountains standing tall like walls of heaven and earth. When the dawn begins to appear, the whole space seems to be awakened by the first rays of sunlight filtering through each sharp mountain peak. The light is not dazzling but gentle, like the hand of Mother Earth and Heaven caressing the roofs of the people's houses nestled on the mountainside. The early morning mist still lingers on the mountainside, creating a magical, dreamy space.

Highland children in colorful national costumes eagerly go to school.

On the winding roads, the highland children with innocent smiles, playing, their laughter echoing throughout the area, are hurrying to school. On the corn and cassava fields, the Mong women have begun to work diligently, their hands quickly cultivating each root, sweat beading on their foreheads.

The Mong women work diligently, their hands deftly cultivating each cassava root.

The sound of cow and buffalo bells ringing from afar, combined with the wind blowing gently through the trees, creates a melodious, peaceful melody. Herds of cows and buffaloes leisurely graze, creating a peaceful, quiet scene. All of these images and sounds blend together, creating a strangely peaceful, relaxed feeling, making our souls feel cleansed, becoming clearer and lighter…

The herd of buffalo leisurely grazing creates a peaceful, quiet scene.

In the afternoon, people in the border commune of Xin Cai (Meo Vac) leisurely lead their cattle down the mountain on a clean concrete road.

After a hard day in the sun and wind of the mountains and forests, people quietly returned home. Familiar footsteps were imprinted on the winding paths that clung to the mountainside. The sunset slowly fell, dyeing the mountainside and the roofs golden. Smoke from the kitchen began to rise from the roofs, lingering in the air like a familiar sign signaling the time for reunion. In each house, the flickering fire clearly illuminated the tired but still radiant face of the mother preparing dinner, bringing with it the typical flavors of the mountains and forests - a bowl of fern soup, a bit of fragrant men men and the laughter of children around the tray...

Late at night by the fire, the Mong ethnic woman meticulously works at the loom - preserving the old features.

The laughter was loud during a friendly meal in a small village - between villagers and officials raising their glasses, sharing the simple joy of solidarity.

The place at the head of the Fatherland - seemingly arid, harsh with rocks, wind and mist, hides a persistent vitality and extraordinary determination. Every road I have passed, every look I have met, every story I have heard has left me with something very dear. Meo Vac is not only a place to go, but also a place to return to in the memories, in the thoughts and in the deep emotions of a person who loves the highlands with all respect.

Meo Vac - I believe that it will continue to change, but the most precious thing will remain, which is the peace in the rhythm of life and the sincerity in every look.

According to People's Army

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/meo-vac-nhung-manh-ghep-binh-yen-tren-cao-nguyen-da-dong-van-a421525.html