Muon Waterfall is waiting to be "awakened"

We decided to go to Muon waterfall in Dien Quang commune (Ba Thuoc) on a scorching hot day. The road that only locals could reach about ten years ago now leads to the foot of the waterfall. The song goes, “If you want to eat corn, go to Ram Tam/ If you want to eat Tam rice, go to Muoi village”, Muoi village is where Muon waterfall has water flowing all year round.

Many young people enjoy playing at Muon waterfall.

Legend has it that: Once upon a time, there was a couple who loved each other deeply, and vowed to love each other forever. Every day, the boy went to the forest to hunt wild animals, while the girl stayed home to weave brocade and embroider clothes, waiting for the day she would marry him. Their love seemed to come true, but both families did not approve. One day, the boy and the girl climbed to the top of the mountain, holding hands, looking towards the village and family. When the sun was about to set behind the mountain range, they parted ways, and no one knew where they were going...

The locals here have another story. That on the top of Muon Hill - the residence of the Don group, there is a clear stream of water, near which is the stilt house of an old couple who still have no children. Out of pity, the heavens sent a fairy to reincarnate into the family and give birth to a baby girl with fair skin, looking very lovely. The older the girl grew, the more beautiful she became. One morning, she went to the stream of water to wash rice and cook sticky rice and met a handsome young man who was stopping on his hunting trip to give his white horse water to drink. Then they wished to be together in a good month and a good day to become husband and wife. But they parted many times, the moon was waning, many seasons of the Moonflowers blooming and withering, but the young man did not return. Later, the girl heard the bad news that the talented and chivalrous young man had met with disaster in Hang Lon. Not believing that it was true, the girl still remembered her promise to sit by the stream of water waiting for him, her tears flowing month after month, year after year, so much that they turned into a waterfall. The sound of the waterfall is a sad song, like a sigh, regretting the happiness of an unfulfilled couple that has been passed down through generations. The names Muon Hill, Muon Waterfall, and Mo Waterfall come from there, expressing the desire for complete love of the young women of Muong Kho.

That is why people in this area still tell each other: "Whoever passes by Doc Co, Hang Lon/ If you hear the sound of the bittern calling its young, come back...". In addition to the dangerous Hang Lon, where the young man died in the middle of the forest, we can still see the Vanh Stone marking the boundary of three Muong villages; a stream of cool, clear water and the image of a young girl turned into a mountain rock waiting by the waterfall that silently flows through the years.

Near the foot of the waterfall, the cultural officer of Dien Quang commune, Mr. Truong Ngoc Tuan, introduced: "In the past, every time the locals went to bathe in the waterfall, they had to climb the mountain together, which was difficult but also very interesting. Nowadays, at Muon waterfall, cars can park right at the foot of the waterfall, which is much more convenient." Passing through the fields in bloom, the sound of the waterfall became clearer. Mr. Bui Van Hung, Head of Muoi village, told us: "If you come here during the rainy season, from June to October, when there is the most water, the waterfall will be even more beautiful."

Although not as majestic as May waterfall, Hieu waterfall in the water pouring season, Muon waterfall is never bare with only soil and rocks. Therefore, in any season, visitors can walk from the foot of the waterfall, climb the rocks without fear of slipping. Muon waterfall has up to 43 waterfalls, big and small, high and low. Among them, people often mention Gio waterfall, Ben Bai waterfall... Anyone who has not been to Ben Bai to drink the sacred and cool water is not a resident of Dien Quang in particular, Muong Kho in general.

“Drink the sacred water of Ben Bai, the water of heaven and earth.

Muong boys are good at trapping moong, girls are good at xuong dang.

Along with the system of large and small waterfalls, there are also 3 caves here: Mong Cave, But Cave and Ben Bai Cave. In the cave, there are many stalactites hanging down like pillars supporting the sky, lotus platforms, Buddha's hand fruits, raspberries, horses, crocodiles, peacocks and even couples exchanging love... Perhaps it is human imagination that has breathed life into these rocks to make them more sparkling and magical. On Muon Hill and the vast forests in Dien Quang, there are still many precious woods, rare medicinal herbs used as medicine, spices for cooking and many other rare animals.

On Muon hill there are many caves with shimmering, magical stalactites.

“Unfortunately, the Muong ethnic people in Muoi village still have difficult lives, so they cannot invest in tourism,” added village chief Bui Van Hung. Muoi village currently has 658 people with 145 households. However, so far, only 3 households are doing tourism, namely: Ha Van Thinh, Ha Ngoc Thanh, Bui Van Luc. Most recently, Mr. Nguyen Tam is building 5 rooms right at the foot of the waterfall. Just counting the April 30 and May 1 holidays, Muoi waterfall welcomed more than 2,000 people to visit and bathe in the waterfall. Compared to other places, that number is quite modest, but for us, this is a good sign.

Following his grandparents to the fields, Ha Van Thinh opened a restaurant here in 2016. At first, there were only a few occasional guests. Located right at the foot of the waterfall, his Luong Son - Thac Muon restaurant is the first stop to gradually climb to the top of the waterfall. He shared: "I am asking for permission to expand and upgrade the restaurant. The convenience of transportation has created conditions for more and more people to visit and bathe in the waterfall."

Mr. Ha Van Quang, Chairman of the Commune People's Committee said: "Coming to Dien Quang, visitors not only admire the beauty of Muon waterfall, let their souls soar with the legend of the love of a talented man and a beautiful woman, but also meet and interact with the Muong people, visit stilt houses, enjoy rice wine and special dishes of ethnic minorities. We are looking to build Muoi village as a community tourism destination. However, due to the difficult life of the people, inconvenient travel, and lack of connection with some other tourist destinations, attracting visitors is still limited. Most visitors only stop here as a stopover and then go to Pu Luong for relaxation."

With its picturesque landscape, Muon waterfall is waiting to be “awakened” by investors. Along with 55 relics, including 9 provincial relics, Muon waterfall is being paid attention to by Ba Thuoc district as well as Dien Quang commune to build and invest in developing eco-tourism, associated with exploring and experiencing nature and community culture.

MINH HIEN

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/bao-hang-thang/thac-muon-dang-cho-duoc-danh-thuc/186384.htm