In late May, the fields of Luong Thinh commune are covered in a shimmering golden hue, signaling the arrival of a bountiful harvest season. Despite the intense summer heat, the atmosphere of the harvest remains vibrant throughout the villages.
Joining the villagers in the fields before the sun rose high, I was immersed in the joy of the harvest season. On the golden rice paddies, the scent of ripe rice mingled with the slightly pungent smell of fresh straw, creating a unique aroma of the countryside during harvest time.
Under the scorching sun, mud-stained feet moved swiftly. Some cut, some gathered, and some tied the rice stalks into neat bundles, while mini-harvesting machines weaved through the small fields, creating a bustling and rhythmic atmosphere of labor during the golden harvest season.
In the middle of the rice fields of Yen Thuan village, Ms. Ha Thi Lan couldn't hide her joy as she looked at the bundles of rice piled high along the edge of the field. Her family owns 8 sao (approximately 0.8 hectares) of rice paddies, yielding about 2 tons of rice each harvest. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she excitedly said, "Luckily, the weather this year has been more favorable than in previous years. There were thunderstorms that knocked down the rice, but my family managed to prop it all up right after the rain, so the damage was negligible."
Looking at the bundles of golden rice being brought home, she said that it was not only the result of months of hard work in the fields, but also the source of livelihood and the foundation for raising her children and providing for their education for so many years. Thanks to those rice harvests, her children have now grown up and have stable jobs.
Amidst the vast rice fields, the smiles of the farmers made me suddenly realize that, for farmers, happiness is sometimes incredibly simple: a full granary, a peaceful family, and children who have everything they need.
Along with the joy of a bountiful harvest, this year's winter-spring crop also warms people's hearts with the camaraderie of neighbors, the bond between soldiers and civilians, and the sharing and support among the people during difficult times.
The family of Mr. Dinh Trong Thuat, from Yen Thuan village, is in a very difficult situation. After an accident, he is no longer able to walk and has to use a wheelchair; his wife is elderly, and their children work far away. Each harvest season brings even more worry to his family.
Knowing the family's circumstances, the Luong Thinh commune police arranged for officers to assist in harvesting and transporting the rice for Mr. Thuat. In just one afternoon, more than 3 acres of the family's rice fields were neatly harvested. Watching everyone working together to thresh the rice, Mr. Thuat emotionally shared: "With so many people working, it was very quick and joyful, like a festival. The kindness of the villagers and the police officers touched me deeply."
Leaving Luong Thinh, I arrived at Khe Can village, Dong Cuong commune, where the majority of the population are Dao ethnic people. At the foot of the mountain, the rice fields are at their most beautiful, golden ripening stage. From early morning, the villagers have been busy harvesting the rice.
This year, Mrs. Ly Thi Linh's family planted 3 sao (approximately 0.3 hectares) of rice and finished harvesting a few days ago. However, instead of resting, she continued to go to the fields with other villagers to help each other with the harvest.
Quickly bundling the golden rice stalks, Mrs. Linh happily shared: "Now, the villagers have mechanized production. Some households in the village have bought modern harvesting machines, and they harvest very quickly. Large fields are harvested by machine, while smaller fields are harvested manually by the villagers helping each other."
Amidst the scorching summer sun, the laughter and chatter of the Dao women still echoed across the fields. They busily harvested rice while engaging in lively conversation, occasionally calling each other to take a break and drink cool water they had brought from home to ward off the midday heat.
Meanwhile, in Khe Gay village, Yen Binh commune, after the heavy losses caused by natural disasters two years ago, this year's winter-spring crop brings more positive signs for farmers. Favorable weather, fewer pests and diseases, and plump rice grains have made everyone excited to enter the harvest season. Therefore, the joy of the harvest seems to be more abundant in every eye and smile.
On the rice fields nestled on the hillside, nimble hands swiftly cut each ripe, golden rice stalk. Ms. Me Thi Ha explained that her family owns one sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of rice paddy. Due to a shortage of labor, during each harvest season, villagers organize reciprocal labor exchanges to help each other with the harvest. Some families have one sao, while others have five or six sao, and everyone takes turns helping each other to finish harvesting before unfavorable weather conditions arise.
"People here are very close-knit. Today we help harvest at one house, tomorrow we'll go to another. It's hard work, but it's fun. The best part is the breaks, when everyone shares family stories," said Ms. Ha.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, where machines increasingly replace human labor, these images of reciprocal labor exchange still evoke the strong bonds of community and the rustic charm of Vietnamese villages.
Walking through the fields during harvest season, I felt even more strongly the changes in the countryside today. Machinery has been introduced into production, with many improved mini rice harvesters suitable for small fields, helping farmers reduce hardship, save time and effort. But even with this modernization, the harvest season still retains its most rustic values: the joy after days of hard work, and the warm human connection in the countryside.
The golden harvest season will pass, and the fields will be plowed again for the new crop, but the joyful laughter echoing across the fields, the fragrant scent of fresh straw in the sun, and the gleeful eyes of farmers as they look at their houses filled with sacks of rice... will linger for a long time in the hearts of those who have once experienced the harvest seasons of their homeland.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/niem-vui-mua-gat-post900756.html
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