115 year old beauty in Phu Tuong

(Baonghean) - Ms. Lo Thi Hoa in Quang Phuc village, Tam Dinh commune (Tuong Duong) has turned 115 years old. At this age, the Thai woman still remembers many stories about her life, especially the story of participating in the Miss Tuong Phu beauty contest.

Her legs were weak, her eyes were no longer clear, her ears were also heavy, but her head still remembered a lot. However, Mrs. Lo Thi Hoa only spoke Thai, that day Mrs. Lo Thi Lan - her daughter-in-law helped us translate. She started the story: "I was born in 1902, my hometown is Quy Chau, when I was young, the enemy burned down my village, my parents took my sisters and me here to take refuge...".

Although 115 years old, Lo Thi Hoa is still quite lucid and remembers many things that happened in her life. Photo: Cong Kien

The sisters grew up in a small stilt house with the corn and rice seasons. In no time, the dirty little girl became a beautiful young woman with a slim figure, white skin, black eyes, long hair and a smile as bright as a Bauhinia flower. Her beauty spread with the mountain wind throughout the region, known to all near and far villages, and young men always wanted to meet and date her.

That year, the Tuong Palace organized a beauty contest, and the superiors sent a letter requesting that the contestants come to compete. Traveling more than 20 kilometers to the Cua Rao area, the mountain girl Lo Thi Hoa was overwhelmed by the sight of the palaces, brocades and silks. Most of the girls participating in the contest were very beautiful, wearing brand new dresses and colorful costumes.

Mrs. Lo Thi Hoa lives with her youngest son Lo Kham Phong and his wife, a family of four generations living together. Photo: Cong Kien

Because her family was poor, Ms. Hoa did not have enough money to buy new clothes, so she had to wear the usual dress for going to the market, weddings and village festivals. That dress was hidden among a forest of gorgeous costumes, and of course the owner did not win any awards, making everyone admire her natural beauty like a wild flower, then regret that she did not have a beautiful costume and therefore could not receive the award.

Although there was no prize, the village girl from Quang Phuc village was noticed by many young men, including rich boys, riding on horseback, wearing embroidered brocade shirts, carrying bags full of silver bars on their shoulders. Someone asked directly: "If you want to be my wife, then get on the boat and follow me back to the village. My parents have a lot of buffaloes and silver, so they are not afraid of poverty." Mrs. Hoa did not pay any attention to the flirting and promises, and quickly got on the boat and went downstream to the village.

Not long after that, the mountain girl Lo Thi Hoa agreed to marry a young man from the same village who was 2 years older than her, whose father was a small official in the area. When she returned to her husband's house, she continued to work in the fields, spinning silk, and weaving. And from here, her life began to be filled with hardships and worries. Her first child breathed his last shortly after birth; the second child also shared the same fate.

After that, she suffered from menorrhagia, waited for a long time but could not get pregnant, at times thought she had lost her motherhood. She persistently sought treatment, did not mind the mountains and passes, traveled to all the upper and lower villages to find a doctor, and was finally blessed by God. The third daughter named Lo Thi Than was born when the mother was over 40 years old, to the joy of the whole family.

A few years later, baby boy Lo Kham Cuong was born, the joy was indescribable. Then the family had a little member Lo Kham Phong (born in 1950), Mr. Hoa and his wife were truly happy and satisfied, even though it was late...

The photo shows Lo Thi Hoa and her husband with their three children and their grandchild from 1952. 65 years have passed but their faces are still quite clear (photo provided by the family).

Ms. Lo Thi Hoa still remembers the happy days when the people won power in the August Revolution (1945). “That day, every village was covered with bright red flags, all the villages celebrated, everyone cheered. People told each other that from now on they would be free from slavery” - she shared.

During the fierce war years, her husband (Mr. Lo Van Hoa) had to work as a civilian laborer, carrying food and ammunition to the battlefield several times. Mrs. Hoa stayed home to take care of her husband's parents and three young children. She woke up at 2am to pound rice and prepare meals for the whole family. After eating, she went to the fields or to the plantation to work hard all day, and at noon she went to the hut to rest for a while.

When the sun sets, she returns to the village, takes the opportunity to go to the stream to catch fish, and find some vegetables for dinner. Then she worries about the pigs and chickens; sits at the loom until late at night, and can only lie down for 2-3 hours at night. Not only she, but most Thai women here are like that, taking the peace and prosperity of their family as their joy, even though they have to endure many hardships, difficulties, and hardships.

Currently, Ms. Lo Thi Hoa lives with her youngest son Lo Kham Phong and his wife. In that stilt house, there are 4 generations living together. Mr. Lo Van Hoa and the other children have all passed away. Fortunately, the family still has a photo of Ms. Hoa and her husband with their 3 children and a nephew taken in 1952. After 65 years, everyone's faces are still quite clear.

Colonel Nguyen Huu Cau - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Director of the Provincial Police Department presented a gift to Ms. Lo Thi Hoa on the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the Rooster. Photo: Cong Kien

To date, the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Mr. Hoa has reached 30 and has 4 great-grandchildren (5th generation). He said that life now is very happy, with good food, nice clothes, TV to watch, motorbikes to work, and cars to travel far. Unlike the old days when there were months of hunger, tattered clothes, walking everywhere, and having to row a boat to travel far.

He is also very happy when every time Tet comes, the district and provincial leaders come to visit and give gifts. Last Dinh Dau Spring, he received a longevity congratulatory letter from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and a gift from the Provincial Police Director.

When asked about the secret to longevity, Lo Thi Hoa leisurely replied: “I have no secret. All my life, I drink Co stream water, eat sticky rice from the fields, eat rice that I grow myself, catch fish and shrimp myself, work all year round, and when I am sick, go into the forest to find medicinal plants. In my old age, I live happily and help my children and grandchildren, do not cause resentment with anyone, and try to eat rice regularly every day...”./.

Cong Kien