Indulge in "green paradise"

(Baonghean) - If Pu Mat National Park is considered a "green paradise" in the Western region of Nghe An, then Con Cuong district is considered the "heart" of that paradise. The wild and majestic scenery; friendly and hospitable people; diverse and unique culture along with many heroic historical vestiges have created a charming feature, holding tourists' feet once they have touched the "heart of paradise".

After looking through many documents, it was difficult to know the meaning of the name Con Cuong. A local friend who does research on Nghe An culture told me a short folk theory: The Lam River section flowing through Con Cuong used to have a piece of land where peacocks often gathered every late afternoon. People called that land Con Cong, then it was mispronounced as Con Cuong. That explanation cannot be determined whether it is true or not, but it is enough to create a catalyst for the journey of more than 100 km from Vinh City to Con Cuong to become more interesting.

Khe Kem Waterfall. Photo: Sy Minh

Nestled between the vast green mountains and towering limestone mountains, Con Cuong Town is like a rare vibrant highlight among the peaceful villages woven from the traditional stilt houses of the Thai ethnic group. Among that wild and wonderful beauty, Con Cuong still preserves heroic historical vestiges, associated with the great process of building and defending the country of the nation. Not far from National Highway 7, on Thanh Nam Mountain, Chi Khe Commune still preserves the Ma Nhai Ky Cong Bi Van stele composed by Nguyen Trung Ngan and engraved on the cliff wall, recording the Tran Dynasty's achievements in defeating the Ai Lao invaders and keeping the country's borders peaceful in the 14th century. According to Mr. Tran Manh Cuong, an officer of Nghe An Provincial Library, who specializes in Han Nom research, "The content of the stele is concise and succinct, but it shows the authority and determination to protect the country of our ancestors. This is the oldest Ma Nhai stele that is still preserved in our country to this day". Con Cuong is also the "Tra Lan land of split bamboo and flying ash" in Nguyen Trai's work Binh Ngo Dai Cao, which records the resounding and turning point victory of Le Loi's army in the resistance war against the Ming army in the 15th century.

But Con Cuong is not only famous for its historical milestones, it is also a land of majestic landscapes in the middle of the jungle and unique indigenous cultures. Following the guidance of Mr. Le Thanh Do, Deputy Head of the Department of Environmental Education and Ecotourism of Pu Mat National Park, we visited Khe Kem waterfall, about 20 km from Con Cuong town. On a hot summer day, amidst the wild mountains and forests, immersing yourself in the cool water from the white waterfall pouring down from a height of hundreds of meters brings a strange feeling of relaxation. Mr. Do said: "For a long time, Khe Kem waterfall has become a favorite destination for many Con Cuong people. In recent years, tourists from near and far have heard about it and come to enjoy the fresh air, admire the spectacular scenery of the waterfall, especially in the summer." Not far from Khe Kem waterfall is a simple culinary area built from natural materials, so it fits in well with the surrounding landscape. What impressed us the most was the extremely sustainable way of doing tourism here, where the menu does not include wild animal products but instead consists of rustic dishes of the local people such as grilled chicken, cool fish, and bamboo rice.

Our journey continued to Mon Son commune to explore Pha Lai dam and upstream Giang river to the Dan Lai ethnic group who sleep sitting. The small motorboat rushed quickly, casting white water rays on the blue sky, taking us into the world of green forests stretching to the horizon and a symphony of animals. Perhaps it was also because of that wild and diverse nature that the ancestors of the Dan Lai ethnic group chose this place as their residence on the journey to escape the pursuit of the enemy, as the story of the formation of this ethnic group remains. Over the years, with the attention of the Party and the State, overcoming differences and obstacles, the Dan Lai ethnic group has truly integrated into the life of the ethnic community in Con Cuong district.

Our journey to discover Con Cuong ended at Nua village, Yen Khe commune. In the peaceful Thai village space with rows of tea and ancient stilt houses, we were immersed in the life of the gentle and hospitable Thai people. The stilt house of Ms. Lo Thi Hoa's family has become a place to welcome tourists to stay in the form of community tourism for many years. With only a very reasonable amount of money, we were able to enjoy traditional dishes cooked by the hostess herself, which were extremely attractive. After that, we continued to immerse ourselves in the traditional songs and music of the Thai people. The owners of these special performances were members of the Thai Folk Song Club of Nua village. Next to the jar of rice wine, the flickering fire, the rustic songs of beautiful Thai girls in traditional costumes were captivating. Life here passed peacefully, it seemed that it could never be more peaceful and quiet.

“Since implementing the community tourism model, on average each year, my family welcomes about 30 groups of guests, including foreign guests and guests from Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Lieu... The additional income from tourism helps stabilize the family's life,” Ms. Lo Thi Hoa happily shared, her hands moving quickly on the brocade weaving frame. “In the near future, in Nua village, we plan to open booths to display brocade products woven by the women in the village, creating more tourism products for visitors.”

Continuing the story with many plans of Ms. Hoa, Mr. Le Thanh Do, Deputy Head of the Department of Environmental Education and Ecotourism of Pu Mat National Park said: “The community tourism program is implemented by Pu Mat National Park in collaboration with Nghe An Tourism Promotion Center, Con Cuong District People's Committee and related communes under the auspices of UNESCO. Through the program, the cultural identity of the Thai people in the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve is preserved and promoted; at the same time, creating livelihoods, increasing income for people during the off-season, reducing people's pressure on forest resources. This direction contributes to improving the living standards of people living in the buffer zone, while promoting and protecting the value of Pu Mat National Park”.

The journey to touch the "heart of the green paradise of Pu Mat" although short but left us with many impressions, nostalgia. Surely one day soon, we will return to be fascinated with the land that Trang Bung Phung Khac Khoan had to exclaim when he set foot on it: "The mountains are not high, the water is not deep/ The landscape is one color, who skillfully painted it". Indeed, once you come to Con Cuong, no matter where your feet lead you astray, believe that the wild, charming beauty of this land will gradually reveal itself to you to enter the world of a real "green paradise".

Nhat Le