'Shepherd playing the flute' in the Tam Coc rice fields

The ripening rice fields along the Ngo Dong River in the Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourist area were once voted by the British newspaper Business Insider as one of the 5 most beautiful rice fields in Vietnam.

The allure of the rice fields lies not only in their beautiful location, where nature and people meet, but also in the fact that Ninh Binh province's tourism industry has transformed them into a unique tourist product for many years. Each harvest season, the fields are transformed into different landscapes, attracting the curiosity of visitors.

Painting "Carp Gazing at the Moon" in the Tam Coc rice fields in 2023. Photo: Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Tourism.

In 2022, the Tam Coc artistic rice fields displayed the painting "Festival Flag" to honor the unique cultural and religious values ​​of the ancient capital region, a land of outstanding people and rich history. In 2023, the painting "Carp Gazing at the Moon" expressed the aspiration for a bountiful harvest and national peace and prosperity.

This year, the Tam Coc art field continues to be refreshed with the image of a buffalo herder boy playing the flute, inspired by the folk painting "Shepherd Playing the Flute," which also carries the beautiful aspirations of the people.

Accordingly, the painting expresses the people's wish for "favorable timing, advantageous location, and harmonious human relations" to ensure abundant harvests. The image of the handsome, cheerful boy sitting on the back of a buffalo, surrounded by grass, trees, and the vast sky, represents the desire to harmonize with nature to achieve favorable conditions for crop growth and bountiful harvests.

The design for the painting "Shepherd Playing the Flute" was created in the Tam Coc rice fields in 2024. Photo: NB Newspaper

The image of "the buffalo as the foundation of livelihood" is also a way of expressing gratitude to this hardworking, gentle animal, always closely associated with the labor and production activities of each farming family. It serves as a reminder of the importance of diligence and hard work in life.

The painting not only gives visitors a sense of the familiar and peaceful atmosphere of the Vietnamese countryside but also celebrates the image of farmers who, in addition to cultivating rice, constantly create art, enjoy culture, and enrich their spiritual lives.

According to a representative from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Hoa Lu district, the Tam Coc rice field covers an area of ​​more than 18 hectares along the waterway from Dinh Cac - Hang Ca - Hang Hai - Hang Ba. The "Shepherd Playing the Flute" mural alone covers nearly 10,000 square meters and is located in front of Hang Hai cave.

Residents of Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, are actively tending to their rice fields in an artistic setting. Photo: Ninh Hai Newspaper

This year's rice variety remains Thai Xuyen 111, characterized by its sturdy stems and good resistance to pests and diseases, making it suitable for the local soil. Although there were periods of severe cold at the beginning of the season that affected the planting schedule, thanks to diligent care, the Tam Coc rice fields are now developing very well and uniformly. Currently, the rice has passed the initial fertilization stage, and the farmers are focusing on tending, thinning, and weeding in preparation for the topdressing.

To support farmers in maintaining rice cultivation and creating beautiful landscapes for tourism, right from the beginning of the season, the Department, in coordination with the District Agricultural Service Center, urged and guided the Van Lam Cooperative to implement the "Golden Tam Coc" model. At the same time, technical staff were regularly sent to guide farmers on caring for and controlling pests and diseases in rice. Prior to this, the unit had coordinated with the Ninh Hai Commune People's Committee to seriously implement the provision of all fertilizers and rice seeds to the farmers.

The painting "Shepherd Playing the Flute" promises to be a unique and attractive tourist product in the near future, especially during the "Golden Tam Coc Week". This will contribute to promoting the image and beautiful nature of the ancient capital region to a wider audience both domestically and internationally, while further affirming Ninh Binh's commitment to preserving and passing on the outstanding global values ​​of the Trang An Heritage Site to future generations.

The Ninh Binh Tourism Week 2024, themed "Golden Colors of Tam Coc - Trang An," is expected to be held over 8 days, in late May or early June 2024, on a provincial scale.

During the Ninh Binh Tourism Week, there will be many attractive and unique activities such as: the Opening Ceremony of Ninh Binh Tourism Week 2024; the organization of a pedestrian street; the organization of performances and exhibitions of OCOP products of the province; the performance and exhibition of traditional handicrafts; the organization of a Tam Coc Golden Season photography tour; the organization of a survey and introduction program for Ninh Binh tourism products (FAMTRIP, PRESSTRIP); an art photography exhibition with the theme "Tam Coc - Trang An Golden Season"; and various cultural and artistic programs, including water puppetry, Cheo singing, Xam singing, and folk songs from the three regions of Vietnam.

Notably, a new feature in this year's Tourism Week will be a goat fighting competition, with prizes awarded to pairs of goats, organized by the Provincial Farmers' Association.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ninh-binh-muc-dong-thoi-sao-tren-canh-dong-tam-coc-post288043.html