Sweet and delicious boiled corn from the mountains.

Crossing the windswept highlands, there's a stretch of road we've nicknamed the "boiled corn road." This section is part of National Highway 26, originating in Dak Lak province and connecting with neighboring coastal provinces.

The "boiled corn" route, part of National Highway 26, originates from Dak Lak province, winding its way from the mountains to the sea, connecting it with neighboring coastal provinces. Photo: LDB

The winding, meandering road is embraced by lush rubber forests, coffee plantations, and durian orchards, with fertile basalt soil hidden beneath. Along the way, you'll find an abundance of seasonal specialties such as durian, avocado, and rich coffee.

Besides those local specialties, there's a memorable treat that makes tourists stop and enjoy it: steaming hot boiled corn. Along a stretch of just a few kilometers, there are dozens of stalls with pots of corn simmering over crackling fires.

The simple image of the vendor, a warm, flickering fire with thin wisps of smoke, a humble afternoon snack—all of these things energized me, making my journey feel safer and smoother. I felt I wasn't alone in the vast, boundless mountains.

Sitting leisurely, I bought dozens of ears of ripe and fresh corn to take home as gifts. The corn was from the garden, so it was sweet and chewy. As I ate, the friendly and hospitable owner of the garden cheerfully picked and boiled the corn for me. The fresh corn was harvested on the same day, so it could be transported far without losing its sweet and tender flavor.

As the sun sets over the hills, a hazy mist drifts over the coffee plantations and rubber groves. At this time, boys with conical hats and tanned skin herd their cattle back to the barn, a cloth bag slung over their shoulder and a whip in their hand, the jingling of the bells echoing in the evening breeze. The atmosphere is melancholic yet tranquil and peaceful.

Outside, I suddenly heard the bus conductor's loud, laughing voice calling out to me: "Going to Buon Ma Thuot, sir?... Going to Buon Ma Thuot, sir?"

Sitting in the hammock, I shook my head and waved my hand quickly, but I still noticed the smile on the caretaker's lips even though night had fallen. The stoves in the hut were still burning, the embers crackling as if inviting tourists to stop.

Born and raised in Buon Ma Thuot, as a child of the Central Highlands, I am always happy to be in this land. This land is not only rich in specialties like coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, and macadamia nuts, but also warm with human kindness and brimming with cultural and spiritual traditions, from epics and folk tales to culinary delights and traditional dishes like sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, grilled chicken, and bitter gourd salad with dried fish…

Source: https://baodanang.vn/ngot-ngay-bap-luoc-o-nui-3308310.html