A 'forgotten' town in Phu Yen

This small town in Phu Yen is located just 15 kilometers from National Highway 1, yet it is isolated from the hustle and bustle usually created by the vital trans-Vietnam highway. The town is tranquil, almost 'forgotten,' evoking a sense of nostalgia with its serene beauty.

That's La Hai, a town in the mountainous district of Dong Xuan. Unlike the bustling town of Chi Thanh in the lowland district of Tuy An, which is traversed by National Highway 1, La Hai nestles in the northwest, a place where mornings are shrouded in white mist, many afternoons are bathed in golden light, and nights are pleasantly cool.

A corner of La Hai town

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Rice fields in Long Ha neighborhood

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Compared to the other two mountain towns, Hai Rieng (Song Hinh District) and Cung Son (Son Hoa District), La Hai is closer to Tuy Hoa city (45 kilometers). But the way the town is "lost" amidst the fast-paced rhythm of life holds a fascinating charm.

National Highway 19C passes through the town, with very little traffic during the day.

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The man cycled across the intersection in the late afternoon.

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La Hai also has a fairly large road running through its center, National Highway 19C, from Gia Lai down to Binh Dinh, through western Phu Yen , and then connecting to Dak Lak. However, the road has very little traffic during the day; most long-distance buses and trucks pass through here in the middle of the night or early morning.

The section of the Ky Lo River that flows through La Hai

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Sunlight falls on the river during the dry season.

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The town is caught by the capricious waters of the Ky Lo River, over 100 kilometers long, originating from the more than 1,300-meter-high La Hien mountain in the west. This mountain river rises very quickly during the rainy season, and in years of major floods, it almost completely submerges houses. During the dry season, the river seems to stand still, with some sections only reaching knee-deep water.

People eat, drink, and have fun on the sandy beach by the river.

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The flock of birds flies back to their nests, above the bridge connecting the two neighborhoods.

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Although the Cai River flows through La Hai for only a few kilometers, it has three bridges. Two are road bridges connecting the town center with the Long An and Long Ha neighborhoods, respectively. The remaining bridge is a railway bridge on the North-South railway line.

The North-South railway line enters La Hai.

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The man works in the fields, the railway bridge is in the distance.

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This is a hilly area with a railway line running through it. The railway and National Highway 1 run parallel from the south, splitting into two at Chi Thanh town. The road continues straight along the coast, while the railway branches off, turning west towards La Hai.

La Hai train station

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Each day, only a few trains make quick stops to pick up passengers.

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However, the Reunification Express trains didn't really liven up this area much. La Hai station was a small, insignificant station; dozens of trains traveled back and forth daily, but only a few stopped to pick up and drop off passengers.

A Reunification Express train passed through the station without stopping.

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The woman sat enjoying the cool breeze, waiting for the night train.

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In the late afternoon, amidst the cold, rumbling trains speeding by, the life of the district town emerges as warm and unhurried. In front of the houses nestled close to the station, along the unfenced railway tracks, many people sit enjoying the cool breeze, children study, calmly unafraid of the intimidating headlights and the familiar, harsh sound of the train whistles.

The peaceful pace of life in the district town.

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Food court in front of the train station

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Right in front of the station, there's a bustling food court in the late afternoon, where locals flock whenever they crave dishes like rice rolls, duck porridge, or fertilized duck eggs. It's also a convenient eating spot for railway workers on duty and a place for passengers waiting for trains to enjoy a snack.

Sunset in the mountain town

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Trains whizzed through the small town.

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The Ky Lo River now has a new bridge crossing it, named after the river, on the Van Phong (Khanh Hoa) to Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh) expressway, which is expected to open to traffic on September 2nd. However, the expressway bridge is located in Tuy An district, further downstream. The new bridge and road are situated between National Highway 1 and the railway, leaving La Hai without any additional traffic access.

Only the long-distance night trains continue to rush past without stopping, leaving behind the echoing sound of their wheels grinding against the tracks before disappearing from La Hai, just as they have forgotten this town so many times before.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thi-tran-bo-quen-o-phu-yen-185250606134935307.htm