Tay Ninh, a place to remember... and to cherish.

There are places we visit that leave us feeling as light as a cloud at the edge of the sky. And there are places where, just leaving them behind, our hearts ache as if we've forgotten something familiar. For me, Tay Ninh city is one such place – a region of memories that resonates whenever we recall it, a piece of affection and longing deeply embedded in our thoughts.

Simple fried rice

Have you ever stood atop Mount Ba Den at dawn, when the clouds still lingered, gazing out at the peaceful city in the distance? Have you ever wandered through Tay Ninh market, listening to the familiar cries echoing amidst the bustling morning air? Or strolled gently beneath the rows of purple crape myrtle trees on Nguyen Chi Thanh street during the flowering season, suddenly realizing the gentle beauty of this city?

Quiet and unpretentious, Tay Ninh city is truly simple and sincere. I love this place – I love the feeling of breathing in the fresh air, I love the peaceful, unhurried mornings, and I love how this city quietly embraces the deepest feelings of its people.

Here, there are few skyscrapers or dazzling city lights that overwhelm you. Instead, there are tree-lined streets, spacious houses, and a slow pace of life, allowing one to fully appreciate each passing moment. In the morning, the distant sound of temple bells awakens a peaceful new day. In the evening, the aroma of freshly cooked rice from someone's kitchen wafts on the breeze, gently enticing travelers searching for a tranquil haven.

Tay Ninh city is bathed in the characteristic golden sunlight of the South, coloring the rambutan orchards laden with sweet fruit and the lush green custard apple gardens. In the evenings, as the sun gradually disappears behind the Ba Den mountain range, the sky seems to drape itself in a magical veil, painting a wondrous natural landscape that evokes a sense of wonder and longing in the viewer, no matter how many times they gaze upon it.

I have a few close friends, and every weekend we meet in a cozy setting to enjoy the distinctive vegetarian cuisine of the Holy Land. The dishes, though simple, are exquisitely prepared: a plate of golden fried rice, fluffy and delicious, paired with carrots, shiitake mushrooms, peas, and sweet corn; a plate of fresh green boiled vegetables served with a rich and flavorful dipping sauce that everyone raves about; and, of course, a steaming pot of vegetarian porridge, fragrant with mushrooms and soft, melt-in-your-mouth tofu… All of this soothes the soul after a busy week of work.

A plate of fresh, green boiled vegetables served with a bowl of rich, flavorful braised pork belly.

The vegetarian cuisine here is deeply rooted in the local spirit. Simple, natural ingredients like vegetables, roots, and fruits, transformed by the skillful hands of the people, create uniquely appealing dishes. Not only are they beautifully presented, but each dish also boasts its own distinct flavor, imbued with the essence of the land and the people of this sun-drenched region.

I will always remember the kind and genuine people here. Like the woman selling rice paper snacks at the end of the alley with her charming smile and gentle eyes; the lottery ticket seller who always wished me a "good morning" every morning; or the kind motorbike taxi driver who stopped to give me directions when I got lost. And all the gentle, warm words of the locals – all left a deep impression on me. It is these ordinary people, in a very natural way, who have contributed to creating the image of Tay Ninh as a truly close, friendly, and affectionate place in my heart.

On the day I left Tay Ninh city, I didn't have time to say goodbye to anyone. The hurried bus ride, the new job, the new city... swept me away like the ceaseless flow of life. Yet, after only a few days, my heart sank because of seemingly small things: the sound of the street vendor's call for mixed rice paper snacks echoing somewhere in my memory, the fragrant aroma of vegetarian noodle soup wafting from the end of the alley, or the sudden downpour that made my heart ache. These simple yet dear things transformed into a deep, silent longing, imprinted in my heart.

Now, in this new city, every time I walk past the gentle streets lined with purple crape myrtle trees, hear a familiar Southern accent, or accidentally hear a song mentioning Tay Ninh, my heart flutters. It turns out that loving a place doesn't require years; just enough closeness, enough sincerity, enough love… and that place will quietly become etched in my heart without me even realizing it.

For me, Tay Ninh city will forever remain a vivid memory – a place where love and nostalgia quietly take root. And so, every time I look back, amidst the hustle and bustle of life, my heart feels light and warm, as if I've returned to a place so familiar.

Tay Ninh, I miss it when I'm far away, and I love it when I'm here!

Mai Thao

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/tay-ninh-xa-nho-o-thuong-a191677.html