The beauty of Xieng Tam

(Baonghean) - Those who have had the opportunity to travel to all the mountainous villages and highlands of Nghe An all confirm that Xieng Tam village, My Ly commune (Ky Son) is one of the most beautiful. This is also confirmed through a number of local geographical research projects. When we first set foot here, we were truly amazed by the poetic and charming beauty of Xieng Tam.

According to those who specialize in studying Thai ethnic culture, in feudal times, Xieng Tam was the residence of local officials, the administrative center of a large region. And any place name that begins with the word "Xieng" or "Xieng" (like Xieng Lam, Xieng Lip, Xieng Nua, Xieng Thu, Xieng My...) is the same. If that is true, then the mandarins and feng-shui officials of the past really had a keen eye and understanding of feng-shui when choosing this land to settle.

The towering mountain range stretching here suddenly curves into a crescent shape, leaving a relatively flat valley, ideal for opening up villages and establishing villages. The right, left and back sides are surrounded and sheltered by mountains; in front is the winding, clear Nam Non River. It is worth mentioning that the Nam Non River has long been famous for its many waterfalls and rapids, but when passing through Xieng Tam, it is extremely gentle and poetic. The ancient beauty of Xieng Tam is adorned by ancient trees spreading lush shade and rows of tall, green coconut trees. The bright red color of tiles and corrugated iron on the stilt houses looming in the misty mist of the mountains and forests evokes a picture that is both wild and warm.

And the river also favors Xieng Tam people with a spacious, flat sandbank, very convenient for living and traveling. This is where dozens of boats return to the beach after a journey up and down Nam Non. This is also where the villagers gather to bathe and do laundry. Children often come here to cheer and play on the fine sand. The scenery evokes the peace and prosperity of a border village. Since ancient times, My Ly women have been famous for their beauty, thanks to bathing in the Nam Non water upstream. According to the concept of the highland people, the upstream water often carries sacredness and purity. My Ly women are also beautiful because they are diligent and hard-working in production; from farming to weaving, embroidery, fishing... It can be said that Xieng Tam girls represent the beauty of My Ly girls in general. Therefore, marrying a Xieng Tam girl is always the dream of young men in all villages.

Xieng Tam Village (My Ly Commune, Ky Son).

Currently, Xieng Tam gathers about 150 Thai ethnic households. The main source of income for the people is mainly from slash-and-burn farming, forest exploitation and fishing. Compared to the highland villages, Xieng Tam has a fairly comfortable life. Because, for generations, the people here have been very industrious, hard-working, and know how to save and cherish the fruits of their labor, so they have more or less food and property. Xieng Tam women also have the traditional craft of weaving brocade, bringing a significant source of income for their families. When the slash-and-burn farming season is over, the husband goes into the forest or down to the river to fish, while the women sit at the loom, diligently working with the shuttle and thread or meticulously working on each line of the patterns and motifs on the skirt.

Today, Xieng Tam is still chosen as the administrative center of My Ly commune. It is the base of the Party Committee, People's Committee, school, and commune health station. This is also the base of My Ly Border Guard Station, the unit responsible for protecting and managing the 46 km border line adjacent to Laos, in the area of ​​My Ly and Bac Ly communes. In recent years, thanks to the new rural construction program, the appearance of Xieng Tam has changed and improved. The internal roads have been concreted, the village is increasingly clean and beautiful, and traveling is much more convenient than before.

In the past, to communicate with the outside world, the optimal means of transportation for the people of Xieng Tam in particular and My Ly in general was the wooden boat traveling on the Nam Non River. The roads were just trails along the mountainside and were always lurking with tigers and wild animals. Now, the road from Muong Xen to here has been paved, on sunny days, all types of road vehicles can get to Xieng Tam quite easily and conveniently. Every day, there are 3-4 passenger vans from Muong Xen to Xieng Tam. Consumer goods are transported to the destination, there is no longer a shortage of goods like before.

Currently, the people of Xieng Tam are facing a big concern, which is the drug problem that is lurking and threatening the peace of the village. For several years now, the village has had a number of people "hooked" on drugs, which has greatly affected their families and the security and order of the village. Realizing this, the authorities at all levels and the functional forces along with the people here are trying to push the drug problem out of the community life, so that Xieng Tam can always maintain its ancient, prosperous and peaceful appearance!

Tuong Anh