Dan Lai people in Con Cuong (Nghe An) move to a new place

Photo: Google Maps. Graphics: Lam Tung

From early morning, people from Co Phat and Bung villages (Mon Son commune) gathered bustlingly at the Community Cultural House to say goodbye to 22 Dan Lai households who were relocated to a new place in the Ke Tat - Ba Ha resettlement area, Thach Ngan commune. Photo: Quang An

Most of the assets were transported by the people and the government to the gathering point 2 days before, the last items were also busily dismantled by the people to move on schedule. Photo: Quang An

On the morning of July 30, dozens of officers and soldiers from the forces: Pu Mat National Park Forest Rangers, Mon Son Border Guard Station, school teachers, local authorities and villagers were present early in the morning to help 22 Dan Lai households transport their belongings. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Some large assets that could not be transported today were counted and the names of the owners were clearly recorded to be moved to a new residence in Thach Ngan commune. Photo: Quang An

The neighbors gave Mr. La Van Nhi (in white shirt) a tight handshake before parting, along with words of encouragement and hope for a bright future. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Tears of parting between those who leave and those who stay. Photo: Quang An

Before leaving, Mrs. La Thi Hoat (Bung village) gave her daughter a gift of a breeding chicken, hoping that in the new place, her children would work hard and have a better life. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Previously, Con Cuong District Party Secretary Nguyen Dinh Hung came to encourage and share with Dan Lai people before moving to their new residence. Photo: PV

The road from Co Phat village and Bung village to the commune center is about 20 km long. Due to the prolonged heat, the Giang River is shallow, making it impossible to travel by boat, so we have to travel by road, which is extremely difficult. Photo: Quang An

Beloved pets also follow their owners to their new home. Photo: Thanh Phuc

During the journey, there were many steep, slippery sections of road after the heavy rain, making travel extremely difficult. Photo: Quang An

The Dan Lai ethnic group originates from the Kinh people. Moving this time, with careful preparation from the local government, the Dan Lai people bring with them many hopes for a prosperous and bright life.

According to the village elders, this family was originally fleeing the tyranny of the Chinese monarch when they were forced to find 100 golden bamboo trees and a rowboat with an attached roof, or else the whole family would be massacred. These things are completely impossible.

The entire La village carried each other and fled to the mountains. They ran and ran until they reached the upper reaches of the Giang River, where they could no longer hear human voices before they dared to stop. From there, a new tribe named Dan Lai was born. They spent hundreds of years living a difficult and miserable life in the deep forest.