The beauty of the terraced fields of Mien Doi (Lac Son) in the ripen rice crop.
The terraced fields in the Mien Doi
Departing from Hoa Binh city at 6 a.m, taking about an hour and a half to drive there, we were at Mien Doi. Seeing the strangers, the farmers in the fields took off their hats to greet them cordially and they were happy to talk to them. Mr. Bui Van Thuong, the Vice Chairman of the Communal People's Committee said: "Due to the high mountainous terrain, the local people's rice cultivation is completely based on the terraced fields. Although there are still many difficulties such as having to preserve and ensure a good source of water, large and small fields are different, it is dificult to be mechanized for the cultivation… However, this is an effective form of farming that has been applied for a long time and it has brought an increasingly prosperous life. In addition to ensuring food on the spot, Mien Doi’s rice is favored by customers, the selling price is high but there is not much to meet the needs of the market”.
Sharing more about rice farming on the terraced fields, Mr. Thuong said: From the time of the ancestors, the people in Mien Doi have cultivated on the terraced fields. It is the sweat and labor of so many generations of the people here. With the diligence, they have created more than 400 hectares of terraced fields on the hills and mountains. At present, in the new rhythm of life, the same fields are still there, however, intensive farming on the terraced fields is less difficult. With the attention of the State, there is a water barrier at the upstream, the ditch system has been hardened. Plowing and harrowing machines, threshing and milling ones have been put into use, replacing the way of the used manual harvesting and processing.
Efforts to develop tourism
Mr. Bui Van Huong, a communal cultural official and also a tourist guide, who is very knowleable about Mien Doi, took us to see the terraced fields. He showed us which corner to observe the most beautiful terraced fields, which corner to clearly see the stream and the stilt houses … From the magical beauty of the yellow terraced rice fields in the green mountains and forests in the magnificent beauty of Le hill (Vuong Thuong hamlet) at an altitude of more than 1,000 m above the sea level, many young people and even the adventurers have chosen Mien Doi as a destination to experience and explore. However, at present, the beautiful natural scenery, the cultural identity from the stilt houses, the ethnic cuisine imbued with the identity of Muong ethnic people in Mien Doi are still undiscovered tourism potentials.
From that fact, Mr. Huong has specifically advised the communal leaders to develop the programs and the plans to conserve and plan the areas with the beautiful landscapes such as the terraced fields and the green grasslands. They have combined with propaganda to the people so that they preserve the traditional customs and practices, actively exchange and learn to be ready and confident to expand a new direction of tourism development in the locality. In particular, with the love for the homeland and the desire to share and contribute to promoting the knowledge about Mien Doi, Mr. Huong has made many video clips to introduce the beauty of Mien Doi and he has posted them on Youtube, Facebook and Zalo. There have been many shares, interest and contacts so that people can go to Mien Hill to experience and admire. Mr. Huong is also very enthusiastic and ready to act as a tourrist guide for filming crews, recording experiences, and groups of visitors to Mien Doi.
Experiencing Mien Doi on the winding road through steep slopes and rolling passes, we can discover the new scenes of nature and enjoy the beautiful landscape of terraced fields, being immersed in the life and the daily activities of Muong ethnic people with the bright faces of the highland farmers on a full day of the crop, participating in the vibrant cultural activities imbued with the identity ...
It is believed that in the near future, Mien Doi will become a destination for tourists from all over the world. And now, on the terraced fields, the green color of rice is in full bloom, promising a brilliant ripen rice season in October. Yes, as a matter of course, we promise to see Mien Doi again in ripen rice crop!