The peaceful scenery at "Mr. Binh's Valley"
During a visit to Ta Lot hamlet (An Hao commune, Tinh Bien town) to see a friend, I was surprised and delighted to witness his life. It wasn't overly luxurious or extravagant, but he had created a peaceful life for himself, after the struggles of daily life. To visit Mr. Dang Ngoc Binh, I had to drive around through a cool, shady bamboo forest. The forest was unexpectedly quiet at midday, only the sound of motorbike engines breaking the silence. Occasionally, the chirping of birds in the foliage helped to break the monotony of the afternoon. The cement road, just wide enough for motorbike wheels, wound through the straight bamboo thickets, looking like a scene from an ancient film.
Lost in admiring the scenery, I swerved off the paved road a few times, causing me to wobble a bit. Indeed, for someone who travels extensively year-round, this scenery is worth savoring. After several right and left turns, I finally arrived at "Mr. Binh's place," as my friend jokingly called it. It wasn't fancy; just a small table, a few small chairs, and a hammock hanging loosely had become Mr. Binh's ideal spot for entertaining guests. Beneath the bamboo forest, the setting was truly relaxing.
When I arrived, Mr. Binh was still busy and hadn't come out to the garden yet, but he told me to feel free to relax and explore the natural scenery. From the bamboo garden, I looked up at "Mr. Binh's hut" with a feeling of delight. Situated on a rocky hill about 20 meters high, Mr. Binh's simple little hut exuded a strange sense of peace. Although the hill wasn't very high, it was somewhat majestic compared to the surrounding bamboo gardens. The rocks, arranged by nature and embellished with a few inscriptions by human hands, possessed a unique charm.
I enjoyed climbing the rocky hill to take some photos. Although the hill wasn't very high, reaching the summit still required some effort. From the top, you can take in the majestic slopes of Mount Cam. In the distance, vast forests still retain their green color under the dry season sun. Whether or not human intervention has taken place, a large, ancient tree with roots firmly planted on the hilltop creates a sense of otherworldly tranquility.
Sitting on the rocky hill, I enjoyed the cool breezes from all four directions. The space remained eerily silent, making me forget the fatigue of the long journey. Suddenly, the sound of a motorbike echoed, and I knew Mr. Binh had arrived. We sat under the bamboo forest, asking each other about our lives and work. Speaking about his life, Mr. Binh humbly said, "Like the other people living in Ta Lot, I rely solely on the forest for my income. I'm not wealthy, but I manage to live comfortably."
Mr. Binh said that his main income comes from bamboo. In addition, he also buys bamboo leaves from around the Ta Lot area to supply to customers in Ho Chi Minh City. Generally, if he saves up, he still has enough to pay for his children's education. After finishing all the necessary work for the day, Mr. Binh returns to his "hermitage." "Coming here, I feel peaceful, relaxed, and forget the worries of life. If I don't come here every day, I miss this corner of the mountain," Mr. Binh said.
Mr. Binh's hut is quite small, but enough for a few people to sit and enjoy the view. Here, Mr. Binh has control over his water source, so he can live comfortably. Thanks to this, he still manages to grow a few clumps of flowers around the hut, making the scenery even more vibrant. Not only me, but many people who come here also really like Mr. Binh's hillside garden. Sitting, eating, and admiring the surrounding scenery is truly enjoyable. If ecotourism could be developed, this would be an ideal destination for short day trips.
Besides being a farmer cultivating his orchards on the hills, Mr. Binh also participates in the local forest protection and fire prevention and control force. His daily visits to his orchards are also a way for him to check the situation in the surrounding area, so that he can promptly handle any emergencies.
After our enjoyable experiences, we said goodbye to Mr. Binh and headed back. Wandering through the bamboo forest under the setting sun, a touch of regret lingered in our hearts. As we parted ways, Mr. Binh didn't forget to invite me back another time to enjoy the fresh air and appreciate the value of peace.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/tim-chon-binh-yen-a417562.html
