Infatuated with Tay Giang

Western tourists enjoy exploring the wild beauty of Tay Giang mountains and forests. Photo: Poloong Plenh

In the middle of the deep green space, John - a tourist from Australia - stood still in front of a giant pơmu tree. His arms could not hug the tree trunk, hundreds of years old, his heart filled with amazement. That was just the beginning of the journey to discover Tay Giang - a "hidden paradise" in the border region of Quang - where wild nature blends with the indigenous culture of the Co Tu.

Discover the "green treasure" of the great forest

Joining John on that trip were two female friends - Kate and Emily, his fellow countrymen. Leading the group was Mr. Polong Plenh - Deputy Head of the Department of Culture, Science and Information of Tay Giang district, who was knowledgeable about every corner of the forest and every cultural story of the Co Tu people here.

Miss H'Hen Nie also had a trip to experience the Tay Giang old forest. Photo: Quy Coc Tu

Before entering the pơmu forest, Mr. Plênh quietly went to the place where the Vietnam Heritage Tree Monument was erected in the sacred forest along the pơmu forest road and prayed. “The Co Tu people believe that each forest is governed by a spirit. To enter the forest safely, one must ask for permission,” he explained. That explanation made the group of tourists even more eager to enter the legendary “pơmu kingdom”.

Tay Giang Pơmu Forest is a rare primeval forest complex located on Zilieng peak at an altitude of over 1,500m, about 40km from the district center. There are more than 1,200 ancient Pơmu trees here, of which 1,146 have been recognized as Vietnam Heritage Trees. The giant tree trunks, some with a diameter of up to 5m, tower up against the clouds. The light filtering through the foliage creates a magical scene like a "natural cathedral". "I have never seen such a beautiful and pristine place" - Kate exclaimed.

Tay Giang also has a rhododendron forest at the top of A-ruung mountain, which is over 2,050m high, covering 450ha of old forest. In spring, hundreds of ancient rhododendron trees bloom in brilliant white, pink, purple, and red, making the whole mountain area light up. Emily - John's companion - likened the scene to a giant brocade that nature bestowed on Tay Giang. She shared: "I have been to many high mountain areas in Asia, but no place has overwhelmed me like this."

Not only the group of young people from Australia, Tay Giang has also previously welcomed groups of Canadian tourists to explore the pơmu forest and the Co Tu villages. They went on trekking tours, conquered the Vietnam Heritage Forest in Tay Giang, bathed in streams, and experienced picnics in the middle of the forest. "What surprised us was not only the landscape, but also the way the Co Tu people live in harmony with nature" - a Canadian tourist once expressed.

On the way back, the group visited Chuor terraced fields or Ro-cung waterfall, two destinations that surprised everyone. Ro-cung waterfall was white in the middle of the forest, cool like a sleeping fairy. Chuor fields were layer upon layer of golden rice every ripening season, as beautiful as the golden seasons in the Northwest.

Immerse yourself in the colorful culture of the Co Tu people

Not only the majestic nature, the rustic and close culture of the Co Tu people has left a deep impression on visitors. At the Porning cultural village, the group of visitors were welcomed with warm handshakes and gentle smiles from the locals. The tall thatched roofed gươl in the middle of the village yard appeared both majestic and close.

The unique traditional culture of the indigenous Co Tu people is also a unique feature that Western tourists love to explore. Photo: LE TRONG KHANG

Inside the mirror, artisans introduced the traditional brocade weaving craft. Kate was amazed by the meticulous stitches on the loom. “I never thought that each small pattern contained a story about the mountains and forests and the people here,” she said. John did not forget to buy a brocade scarf as a gift for his mother. “It is not just a gift, but a memory of a special land,” he shared.

At noon, when the sun was still dancing on the roof, the small village party was served. Sweet Tơrdin wine, fragrant sticky sticky rice, grilled stream fish, wild vegetables cooked in bamboo tubes… all blended together in the rich flavor of the mountains and forests. “This is the first time I have enjoyed so many strange yet delicious dishes” - Emily happily shared.

The sound of drums and gongs rang out invitingly, the enchanting dances drew everyone into the vibrant village festival. John and his Western friends were initially awkward, but then they joined hands and joined the rhythm with the villagers. The laughter and cheers echoed throughout the mountains and forests, leaving unforgettable moments in the hearts of visitors.

Saying goodbye to Tay Giang when the afternoon light was still lingering on the village roof, John turned to Mr. Plenh and said: “I didn’t think Vietnam had such a beautiful and lovely place. The nature is wonderful, the people are warm and hospitable. I will definitely come back and tell my friends about this special land.”

Tay Giang with its forests of pơmu, green lim, banyan, rhododendron, Talang and Porning community cultural and tourism villages, Co Tu traditional villages, Ro-cung waterfall, terraced fields and village roofs imbued with national identity, has been affirming its position on the green tourism map of Quang Nam.

Foreign groups come and go, leaving behind promises of a return date. Tay Giang is still waiting for visitors from far away, opening up profound experiences of nature and indigenous culture that are rarely found anywhere else.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/say-dam-tay-giang-3155468.html