Hunting for mountain and forest products

A Thọ discovered a "treasure" in the forest: three pristine, fresh, white egg-shaped mushrooms.

Gifts from the Forest

On the weekend, I joined a group of young people on their way to Dinh Mountain – a place considered a "rainy season treasure" by nature enthusiasts . After about 15 minutes of riding motorbikes, the paved road leading up to Dinh Mountain ended at an open clearing. From there, the group stopped their bikes and began walking along small trails through the forest.

The group of friends who went together were young people from various professions, but they all shared a passion for nature and exploring the bounty of the mountains and forests.

Wind, our guide, with his tanned skin, sturdy build, and eyes always sparkling with fascination whenever he encountered nature, said: "You have to go really early to see the forest at dawn. At that time, the mushrooms have just pushed their way through the soil, still covered in dew, looking like tiny universes."

He bent down, gently parted the decaying leaves, and pointed out a cluster of newly bloomed white mushrooms: "Each mushroom is a remaining memory of an ancient tree. When the tree falls, they sprout up, like a silent army guarding the soul of the forest."

Besides mushrooms, the forest is also full of other produce. Ho Nghia Tho, a member of the group, exclaimed when he discovered a clump of young bamboo shoots just sprouting. Although bamboo shoots are scarce this season, they are sweet and crunchy; simply boiling them and dipping them in salt and chili is enough to leave a lasting impression.

The forest path was wet and slippery from the rain, but everyone was excited. A few wild fruits like wild mangosteen and rambutan were passed around. Some were sour and tangy, others mildly sweet. "This is wild mangosteen, it's refreshing and helps cool you down," one person introduced. Some in the group picked mushrooms, others gathered rattan shoots, and still others took photos. Occasionally, they would burst into laughter upon discovering heart-shaped mushrooms or brightly colored mushrooms with their petals spread out like tiny umbrellas.

Not only take it away, but also give it back to the forest.

More than just a picnic, mushroom-picking trips into the forest are becoming a slow-living trend. In the group, some people were stressed by work, while others chose to leave the city and retreat to the forest for a while. These trips are a way to "reset" their emotions.

The wind said, "The forest is never in a hurry. Each mushroom grows in its own way." For him, going into the forest is not just about picking edible things, but also about relearning patience, listening to nature, and living more slowly and kindly each day.

Nguyen Thy shared: “No motorbike noise, no wifi, no deadlines, only the sound of babbling streams, the wind rustling through the leaves, and the chirping of insects. In the forest, humans seem to shrink, while nature opens up, silently bestowing wordless gifts like mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and wild fruits.”

At the end of the trip, the group sat by the stream to wash their faces, rest, and enjoy the peaceful moments in the forest. Before returning, the group cleaned up the trash and filled in the holes dug by the wild boars, so that the forest could retain its pristine appearance.

One member happened to discover a small turtle lost along the trail. He carefully carried the turtle back to the denser vegetation near the stream, a safer place for it to continue its journey.

"Going into the forest isn't just about taking, it's also about learning to give back," Gió said. For that group of young people, each trip is not just about enjoying nature, but also a silent commitment: loving the forest means knowing how to protect it, starting with the smallest actions.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, such trips become a relaxing option for young people seeking balance. As long as the forest still has mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and the laughter of forest lovers, perhaps the memories of nature still have a chance to be preserved.

Text and photos: TRÀ NGÂN

Source: https://baobariavungtau.com.vn/kinh-te/202506/san-san-vat-nui-rung-1045238/