The highlands of Thanh Hoa province during the rice harvest season.

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - As the first rays of summer sun begin to pierce through the early morning mist of Thanh Hoa's mountains and forests, the highlands here transform into the rice harvest season. This is a special time of year, not only marking the end of a harvest season, but also showcasing the strong bond between people and the land in this mountainous region.

Video : The highlands of Thanh Hoa province during the rice harvest season.

In late May and early June, mountainous districts of Thanh Hoa province such as Ngoc Lac, Lang Chanh, Ba Thuoc, Quan Hoa, etc., simultaneously enter the rice harvest season. The atmosphere of the harvest spreads throughout the villages; from the early morning, the sounds of people calling out to each other, the clicking of sickles, and the bustling footsteps heading to the fields can be heard. This scene unfolds regularly every year, carrying with it the hopes of the highlanders for a bountiful harvest.

Ms. Pham Thi Cuc, residing in Dong Luong commune, Lang Chanh district, shared: “My family has more than 5 sao (approximately 0.5 hectares) of rice paddies. This year, the weather has been favorable, with just the right amount of rain and sunshine, so the rice has grown well, with long ears and firm grains. Although harvesting manually is hard work, we are happy to have a good harvest. The rice here is mainly for consumption; the surplus is used to feed chickens and pigs, because we don't earn much from selling it.”

In mountainous areas, the rice fields are scattered, small, narrow, and steep, so most people still harvest by hand. The only harvesting tool is a small, sharpened sickle. Harvesting requires skill and stamina, especially when moving frequently between fields high in the mountains.

Ms. Truong Thi Thang, a Thai ethnic woman from Cu village, Thiet Ong commune, Ba Thuoc district, said: "Every morning I leave at 5 a.m. to go to the fields to harvest. It takes from morning until evening to finish 2-3 plots. Here, everyone harvests themselves; no one hires anyone because the fields are small and machinery can't get in."

"After harvesting, each bundle of rice stalks must be immediately air-dried in the field to lighten the load before being carried or shouldered home. It's hard work, but seeing the golden rice fields fills one with joy," Mrs. Thang added.

Along the rice paddy embankments, women carry heavy loads of rice up the slopes. This image is like a vivid painting of the mountainous region, where labor and life blend together in a simple, peaceful way.

Mr. Pham Van Tien shared: “This year the rice is very fragrant. Each variety has a different scent, but the upland sticky rice is the most fragrant. The regular rice is used for year-round consumption. This harvest is bountiful, and everyone is happy. The whole village feels like a festival; people are harvesting, people are carrying loads, and children are playing everywhere.”

The scent of ripening rice permeates the air, blending with the smell of damp earth and mountain breeze, creating a familiar and comforting feeling.

Each harvest season leaves behind not only full granaries, but also cherishes beautiful memories of life blossoming on every rice paddy in the highlands of Thanh Hoa province. That golden season – the color of abundance, of hope, and an eternal symbol of mountain life that is transforming day by day.

Hoang Dong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/vung-cao-xu-thanh-vao-mua-thu-hoach-lua-248856.htm