(HBO) - Bai Cai stream in Phu Luong commune has recently become a popular destination for local residents in Lac Son district’s remote communes during scorching summer days.
Situated
in Cai hamlet, Phu Luong commune, Lac Son district, and
200 metres from Phu
Luong market, Bai Cai stream can be accessible by provincial road No. 436
through a trail opposite the Phu Luong market or via inter-hamlet road from
Khai hamlet.
The bumpy roads with a lot of tyre tracks indicate
that Bai Cai has long become an ideal place for people during summer days.
People look completely at ease when resting at the fresh stream which runs from
the lush mountain foot and is surrounded by green shade of trees, boulders and roots
of ancient trees.
Photo: Boasting untouched beauty and
fresh water, Bai Cai stream has become an ideal place to escape summer heat.
The stream
gets more crowded at noon. According to Bui Van Than, a local resident living near
Bai Cai, the stream welcomes hundreds of people, mainly youths, at peak time.
Along with local people, the stream has been frequented by many others from
neighbouring districts such as Tan Lac.
More than 30 people were bathing in the stream when we arrived. "The water is a
little bit cold. Despite muggy weather, I had to stay out in the sun before
bathing in the stream again”, said Bui Van Hung from
Gia
Mocommune, Tan Lac district. This was the fifth time Hung had chance to go for a
bathe in Bai Cai stream.
Among those who are enjoying a day off at Bai Cai stream is Quach Thi Liep from
Muong Thuong hamlet, Dinh Cu commune. Liep and her six family members and
friends often visited Bai Cai during the summer. "My house is
12 km away and since knowing
about Bai Cai, we come to take a bath at the stream every summer. We really
enjoy the cool and clear water and beautiful landscapes here”, she said.
"But it is difficult to get here. If the entrance road
is improved, more people will visit”, she added.
For the family of Bui Thi Xuyen from Quyen hamlet, Phu
Luong commune, Bai Cai stream has become a friend gifted by "Mother Nature”.
The stream has been a place for her family – husband, wife and son – to rest
and get relaxed every noon.
"In summer, it is very hot at noon. We can barely
sleep when staying at home so we come here. The stream is only waist-deep and
surrounded by many trees, cooling off the atmosphere”, she said.
"My friends and I have taken bath at the stream
several times. It is an ideal place so that everybody is excited to come back
here”, said Bui Van Viet, an eleventh grader of
Tan
Lac
High School.
It is an unforgettable experience to get relaxed in
the cool water and the beautiful nature here. The untouched stream is a gift to
people in Phu Luong and a place for cooling out during summer days.
Viet Dao
Gongs hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual life of the Muong ethnic people in Hoa Binh province. More than musical instruments, they are an indispensable part of community rituals and collective memory, echoing through generations as a spiritual thread linking the past, present, and future.
Preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Muong ethnic group has become an urgent task in the current context, as many traditional values face the risk of fading away. This effort requires not only protecting the cultural identity but also eliminating outdated customs and developing a modern cultural lifestyle, contributing to sustainable values for the Muong community in Hoa Binh province.
The Muong ethnic culture, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s mountainous north, continues to be preserved and revitalised by dedicated individuals and communities determined to safeguard their ancestral identity.
The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.
For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.
Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.
.jpg)
