Giant 'irrigation machines' in western Nghe An
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| (Baonghean.vn) - Western Nghe An is not only famous for its majestic mountain scenery, but also for its poetic charm with thousands of water wheels tirelessly turning year-round to irrigate the fields. Photo by Sach Nguyen. |
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| In the Hoa Tien area of Chau Tien commune (Quy Chau district), hundreds of waterwheels tirelessly spin in the rice paddies. Hoa Tien is also famous for its beautiful Thai girls who are skilled in weaving brocade. Photo: Huu Vi. |
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| As a region with a centuries-old tradition of wet rice cultivation, the method of irrigating fields using water wheels has been closely associated with the agricultural practices of the Thai ethnic minority people for generations. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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| This method is time-honored and remains effective today. Although laborious and often requiring rework after each flood, it is an effective, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly irrigation method for people in mountainous regions. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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| Born from the need for irrigation in mountainous regions, water wheels (also known as waterwheels) were created to utilize the power of natural water flows to bring water to higher ground, channeling it to fields and villages. Often likened to a machine operating day and night, the water wheel has shouldered a significant portion of the arduous work for mountain farmers. (Photo by Huu Vi) |
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| The waterwheel is made entirely from bamboo. The locals spend a considerable amount of time and effort to create a satisfactory waterwheel. Photo by Ho Phuong. |
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| It takes about 5 to 10 men, each working two days, to make one of these "automatic pumps." Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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| There are water wheels of different sizes depending on the builder's intentions. If the rice paddy embankment is higher than the stream or river, larger wheels are needed to bring the water there. Photo by Huu Vi. |
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| Besides helping to maintain irrigation water for the fields, these water wheels also serve as unique focal points in the village landscape. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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| The idyllic rural landscape, with its lush green rice paddies, crystal-clear stream, and buffaloes leisurely grazing on the grassy banks, is a familiar image, made even more special by the tirelessly turning waterwheels in the distance. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
Ho Phuong - Huu Vi
