The realm of loving emotions

During the busy months leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), amidst the atmosphere of family reunions as spring arrives throughout the country, we had the opportunity to gather on the Heritage – Thai Nguyen photo tour, to experience the elegance of cultural life, the abundance of local produce, and above all, the genuine warmth of the people of this land of martial arts and tea.

Thai Hai Tourist Village welcomed our group with warm embraces. The villagers invited us to join the Thanksgiving ceremony, participating with the procession to express our gratitude to the deities and ancestors who have protected and sheltered the Tay people throughout the past year, ensuring favorable weather and a prosperous life. The villagers passed the fire around, creating a festive atmosphere with traditional Then dances. Through the eyes and smiles of the Tay community, from young children to the elderly, we called this a "happy village." It's no coincidence that the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) honored it as the "Best Tourist Village in the World" in 2022; this is due to the efforts of the village chief and the people here in preserving the traditional stilt houses and rich ethnic customs.

On our journey to discover the cultural identity of the ethnic groups in this midland region, we also learned about the Tac Xinh dance of the San Chay people, the Tham Roc puppet troupe, and the traditional conical hat weaving of the Tay people. In the warm atmosphere of the local people and the group of photographers and writers from all three regions, we were also introduced to the traditional craft of making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) by the artisans of Bo Dau village. Beside the glowing fire boiling the banh chung, the feelings exchanged and the affectionate glances received wove together a heartwarming feeling in each member of the group.

The "red thread" connecting the past and present continues to lead us to the Định Hóa Safe Zone – a significant stop in the Việt Bắc war zone – the capital of the mountainous region. It was here that pivotal decisions for the nation were made, such as the Điện Biên Phủ campaign, which left a golden mark in the country's history. We, the younger generation, respectfully bow our heads and offer incense in remembrance of President Ho Chi Minh and our ancestors at the Memorial House on the summit of De Pass, the center of the Định Hóa Safe Zone historical relic complex, which was recognized by the State as a Special National Monument in 2012.

The stories of Thai Nguyen are still abundant, offering the photo tour group an experience of the martial spirit and culture of this tea-growing region. Martial arts have been present in Thai Nguyen for generations, passed down through many generations, from the time Ly Nam De founded the Van Xuan Kingdom to the period when General Luu Nhan Chu assisted Emperor Le Loi in repelling foreign invaders. The culmination of traditional and modern martial arts has formed a unique martial philosophy for Thai Nguyen, not only beneficial for physical training but also for protecting the homeland.

Our final, most memorable stop was the Tan Cuong tea region. We had the opportunity to learn about one of the famous tea-growing areas, considered one of the "Four Great Tea Regions" of Thai Nguyen, which includes Tan Cuong (Thai Nguyen City), La Bang (Dai Tu District), Trai Cai (Dong Hy District), and Khe Coc (Phu Luong District). Mother Nature has generously bestowed upon Thai Nguyen a suitable soil and favorable climate, while the people of this land have transformed tea into an internal strength, a driving force for building a prosperous future. Walking on the lush green tea plantations, watching the nimble hands picking tea, witnessing the diligent and professional harvesting and processing, and feeling proud as we offered a cup of tea with its initial bitterness followed by a sweet aftertaste, we understood why Thai Nguyen proudly asserts that, for Thai Nguyen, tea is the past, the present, and the future!

We left Thai Nguyen as the last rays of sunlight faded over Nui Coc Lake, the atmosphere seemingly sinking into an ethereal realm, leaving only "a song amidst the vast expanse of clouds and sky" (from the song "Legend of Nui Coc Lake" by composer Pho Duc Phuong) echoing far and wide. We look forward to returning to Thai Nguyen many more times, to sit together by the fragrant green tea hills, reminiscing about the old war zone and sharing heartfelt sentiments over cups of tea imbued with the rich flavors of Southern Vietnam.

Heritage Magazine