From early morning, while a thin mist still clung to the jagged rocks, the road leading to the commune center was bustling with activity. Hmong and Lolo people from distant villages, carrying corn on their backs and leading cattle, flocked to the market. Men wore flutes on their shoulders, women carried their children, and young girls shyly donned vibrant brocade dresses. All blended together to create a colorful tapestry of autumn in the highlands.
The Independence Day market is much more bustling than usual. Stalls are overflowing with corn wine fermented with leaves, forest honey, vegetables, flutes, and colorful brocade fabrics. The smoky aroma of thang co (a traditional stew) mingles with the fragrant smell of grilled meat, enticing visitors. Lively conversations, firm handshakes, and bright smiles under the golden sun create a joyful and warm atmosphere.
A bustling atmosphere prevails at the Meo Vac commune market ( Tuyen Quang province ) during the Independence Day celebrations, with red flags bearing yellow stars covering the mountains and forests. |
Visitors from the lowlands, and even foreigners, are captivated by this atmosphere. They stop to admire the Hmong flute dance, capture moments of Hmong girls in their exquisitely patterned dresses, or innocent Lolo children with their baskets of flowers. The clicking of cameras mingles with the cheerful laughter, like the rhythm of a festival drum.
Amidst the vibrant colors of flags and flowers, many young Hmong and Lolo couples also took advantage of this special market to have romantic dates. They played flutes together, danced and sang, exchanging shy and hesitant glances; the girls in traditional costumes took advantage of the opportunity to take commemorative photos under the fluttering national flag. These youthful moments were both memories of love and symbols of national pride, leaving a deep impression on the highland festival atmosphere.
Young women of ethnic minorities, dressed in vibrant traditional costumes, celebrate Independence Day in Meo Vac commune (Tuyen Quang province). |
Ms. Nguyen Anh Ngoc, a tourist from Hanoi , emotionally shared: “I’ve traveled to many places, but nowhere else has a market as special as the one in Meo Vac. It’s both rich in cultural identity and full of human warmth. Celebrating Independence Day here makes us clearly feel the joy of our fellow countrymen, and see how rich, beautiful, and united our country truly is.”
More than just a market day, Independence Day is also a time for family reunions. Children who work far away all return home to gather with their families. Little ones, dressed in new clothes, chatter excitedly, their clear laughter echoing like a babbling brook. Old and young alike wrap cakes and prepare feasts. The aroma of corn wine, the scent of thang co (a traditional stew), and the flickering smoke from cooking fires mingle with the mountain breeze, creating a unique flavor of Independence Day in the highlands.
In their new, sturdy house, built with 60 million dong in government support, the Independence Day feast was meticulously prepared with colorful sticky rice, thang co (a traditional stew), and fragrant corn wine. Each cup raised carried a wish: the elders expressed their hope for the health of their children and grandchildren, while the younger generation yearned for a bountiful harvest and a more prosperous village.
The people of Meo Vac highland gathered together, raising glasses of corn wine, celebrating Independence Day in a warm and close-knit atmosphere. |
Mr. Thò Mí Gấu, from Thào Chứ Lủng village, emotionally said: “I’ve lived my whole life in a mud-walled house, leaky and drafty. Now, thanks to the support of the Party and the State, my family has a solid home. This year’s National Day is truly a great celebration of my life.”
Many families consider this an opportunity to tell their children and grandchildren the story of President Ho Chi Minh reading the Declaration of Independence in 1945, so that future generations will further appreciate the values of freedom and peace today.
From the mountainside overlooking the small village, the vibrant red of the national flag stands out against the blue sky. The yellow star flag flutters before the traditional earthen houses, like a bright flame amidst the clouds, reminding us that independence is the foundation of happiness, and freedom is the source of joy.
A Hmong girl skillfully arranges a feast of highland cuisine for the major festival on September 2nd. |
Now, concrete roads have reached the village, electricity and clean water have reached every home, and children go to school. People know how to grow medicinal herbs, raise livestock for commercial purposes, and develop community tourism. Life has changed, but the spiritual values of Independence Day remain intact, becoming a bond that unites the community.
To celebrate National Day on September 2nd with joy, Meo Vac commune organized numerous cultural, artistic, and sporting activities, folk games, and art performances, creating a cheerful and healthy atmosphere. Throughout the streets, flags, banners, and slogans were brightly displayed, encouraging unity and national pride. Propaganda efforts were integrated into Party branch meetings, village meetings, and neighborhood meetings, contributing to spreading the historical significance of Independence Day. Families also simultaneously displayed the national flag, creating a vibrant red display amidst the mountains and forests.
The national flag flies proudly during the flag-raising ceremony of students in the mountainous Meo Vac region on Independence Day. |
Comrade Pham Van Tu, Provincial Party Committee member and Secretary of the Party Committee of Meo Vac commune, said: “The face of rural Meo Vac is changing significantly, and the lives of the people are improving. Independence Day on September 2nd is an occasion for the people to express their trust in the Party, unite to build their homeland, and link cultural preservation with community tourism development.”
Independence Day in the highlands of Meo Vac is simple yet sacred, vibrant yet profound; it symbolizes aspiration, the enduring vitality of the mountains and forests, and the solidarity among ethnic groups. Through the sounds of the flute, the dances, and the joyful laughter, the people of this northernmost region affirm their faith in the Fatherland and the daily transformation of their homeland.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/ron-rang-tet-doc-lap-o-vung-cao-meo-vac-a427812.html
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