A Glimpse of Cloud Valley

(Baonghean) -During the uncertain trips of my youth, I cannot remember how many times I was stunned by the magnificent and magical lakes. Thang Hen Lake (Cao Bang), Xuan Huong Lake (Da Lat), Tuyen Lam Lake (Lam Dong)… each lake scene I was lucky enough to enjoy left me with beautiful memories, but the most special is still Thung May Lake (Quy Hop)…

Cloud Valley on early winter day.

Decades ago, the central area of ​​Quy Hop Town was now called Tung Khoong - meaning Cloud Valley, according to the interpretation of the Thai ethnic people. Let's temporarily forget the rows of high-rise buildings of today, and imagine, Tung Khoong at that time was a valley full of trees, wild and dense. The most abundant were rattan and song trees. Those thorny climbing plants were once closely associated with the lives of the people here: rattan was used to weave baskets, rattan was present in the architectural parts of stilt houses... Some people explain that the name Cloud Valley is more romantic, that in that valley, the shy clouds of the sky lingered hesitantly all year round.

No matter how you look at it, Thung May has become the “name” of a beautiful land, and whenever Thung May is mentioned, sentimental hearts suddenly soften. Over a bowl of sweet soup, the locals still tell visitors that: In the middle of this valley, there is a stream originating from the northern mountain range flowing into the Dinh River, called Khe Lang. The stream never dries up all year round, regulating the temperature of the whole area. It was that stream that inspired the leaders of Quy Hop at that time to come up with the idea of ​​transforming the Tung Khoong area into a 13-hectare lake, creating an ecological landscape and a highlight for the land and people of Quy Hop.

We had to work very hard to find Mr. Le Sy Mai - former Secretary of Quy Hop District Party Committee. After finishing his government work, he lived quietly in Con village, Chau Quang commune. This year, he is at a "rare" age, his life has many ups and downs, some things he remembers, some things he forgets, but when asked about Thung May, about those passionate years, Mr. Le Sy Mai suddenly became excited. "At the end of 1975, the District Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee agreed on the policy of renovating the valley area, which is now the center of Quy Hop Town, into an ecological complex, with the highlight being Thung May Lake, then moving the agencies and offices around the lake. This bold policy fortunately received high consensus from the people, because everyone wanted their homeland to be more beautiful. Initially, the district appointed members of cooperatives in the area, then mobilized the youth union members. The atmosphere at that time was extremely bustling and joyful, like a large construction site!"

The witnesses of that historical period are now all grandparents. The desire to recreate the context and atmosphere of a major event in Quy Hop land urged me to meet them. From the People's Committee of Quy Hop district, I walked around the lake in the early winter weather, stopped to rest at many shops along the lake and kept asking. Finally, I found a thread of memory. The shop owner I asked said: "It seems that my mother used to be a member of Nong Trang 12/9, also contributed to this Thung May. Now just go straight, then when you get to the Dental Clinic, turn into the alley and ask for Mrs. Hac's house!". The house is easily recognizable by the soft rows of fairy hair. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hac is short and stocky and has a gentle smile. "I'm from Thai Binh, I followed the boat here for decades, now my hometown accent has faded", Mrs. Hac said softly. And then the old memories were opened and just flowed...

In 1961, responding to the call of the Party and the State, more than 500 youth union members of the 12/9 Farm, Nghe An Provincial Youth Union from Hung Nguyen, Thanh Chuong, Nghi Loc districts... overcame their homesickness and initial difficulties to come to Quy Hop land, including Tung Khoong - a place considered "sacred forest, poisonous water" to build the economy and develop mountainous culture. Their luggage at that time was a fiery heart and the enthusiasm of youth. With the spirit of "Where there is need, there is youth, where there is difficulty, there is youth", with the hands and determination of youth, after a month, the outstanding youth union members turned this place into a youth economic zone.

The lake area now belongs to Team 3 - Farm 12/9. When Ms. Hac built a family in Quy Hop and joined the Farm 12/9 members, the district had a policy to transform Tung Khoong into Thung May Lake. Together with thousands of members and youth union members who were at their most energetic age, Ms. Hac spent countless days and months digging and building dams to block the Khe Lang river. “We worked day and night, very enthusiastically. During the day, we were covered in mud, one person went down to dig and another one went up to build. At night, we went into the camp, into the huts set up around there to cook rice, eat, play music and sing. It was very bustling and exciting,” Ms. Hac recalled.

Thung May has become a sweet memory of a generation of young people in the process of building their homeland. Those exciting days will never be forgotten. Mr. Tran Tho Tuan - Former Chairman of Quy Hop Town - one of the witnesses of the transformation of the mountainous land shared: "At the time of the renovation of Thung May Lake, I was the Secretary of Chau Quang Commune Youth Union, so I knew very well about mobilizing human resources. Chau Quang alone had several hundred youth union members, and the whole district had thousands. Thousands of youth union members united in one heart, everyone was determined to do their best, not afraid of difficulties or hardships. Just need to put up a loudspeaker to announce that day or so to come to Tung Khoong to work, and they will come immediately, the exact number does not need to be counted." In addition to being a highlight in the heart of town, Thung May Lake has the special feature that the water never runs out. The underground water source deep underground always ensures a stable water level for the lake. Since Thung May Lake was built, people in this area have found it easier to dig wells to find water. Previously, due to the geological structure, we had to drill 10-15m deep to find water. Now we only need to drill shallower to find water, and the water is cool and sweet thanks to the underground water of Thung May Lake.

The cool water in it has watered the souls of those who love Thung May, love the land that is a part of the legendary Phu Quy. Walking on the cold lake shore, among the 40-year-old acacia trees, I suddenly felt my heart soften. The acacia trees were as big as two arms' spans, a deep brown color of warmth and protection. Thung May, thinking broadly, is also a symbol of solidarity of the ethnic community. The youth union members of Kinh, Thai, Tho ethnic groups... held hands in the days of building their homeland. Many years have passed, that image is still imprinted in the mind of Mr. Lang Minh Thuyen - former Head of the Department of Culture of Quy Hop district with the verses he composed when he was young: "Ho oi we have been together / Thai, Thanh, Kinh, Tho sent their feelings / Promised to wait firmly / Today I have you by my side...".

Article and photos: Phuong Chi