Shackles Bathing in the idyllic scenery

(Baonghean) - Many people affirm that Xieng Tam village, My Ly commune (Ky Son) is one of the most beautiful villages in the mountainous districts of Nghe An. And if anyone has the opportunity to come here, they will not be able to avoid the feeling of surprise and then realize that the above affirmation is completely reasonable.

Mr. Lo Van Quyen, who was born and raised in Xieng Tam, said: "During feudal times, this was the residence of local officials, the administrative center of a large region. And any place name that starts with the word "Xieng" (like Xieng Lam, Xieng Lip, Xieng Nua...) was like that." If that is true, then the ancients 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 semicircle and leaves a fairly flat valley. The left, right and back sides are surrounded by mountains, in front of which you can see the clear blue Nam Non River winding through the mountains. The Nam Non River has long been famous for its many waterfalls and rapids, but through Xieng Tam it is very gentle and poetic.

And the river also gives the residents here a spacious, flat sandbank, very convenient for living and traveling. Every morning and evening, there are dozens of boats coming to the beach. Women gather at the riverbank to bathe and do laundry. Children cheer and play on the fine sandbank. Occasionally, there are motorboats gliding up and down. The scenery evokes the peace and prosperity of a border village. My Ly women in general, and Xieng Tam in particular, have long been famous for their beauty and good character. Therefore, marrying a Xieng Tam girl is the dream of most young men in all villages.

Xieng Tam gathers about 140 Thai ethnic households. The main source of income of the people is mainly from slash-and-burn farming, forest exploitation and fishing. Compared to the highland villages, it can be said that 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 profession of weaving brocade, a traditional profession that is still maintained today.

Up to now, Xieng Tam is still chosen as the administrative center of My Ly commune, where the Party Committee, People's Committee, school and commune health station are located. Besides, it is the base of My Ly Border Guard Station, the unit responsible for protecting and managing 46 km of border with Laos in the area of ​​My Ly and Bac Ly communes.

In the past, to communicate with the outside world, the optimal means of transportation was a wooden boat traveling on the Nam Non River. Now, the route from Muong Xen has been expanded and upgraded, on sunny days, road vehicles can easily reach Xieng Tam. Consumer goods are transported to the destination, there is no longer a shortage of goods like before.

While chatting enthusiastically about the beauty of Xieng Tam, Mr. Lo Van Lieu, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of My Ly commune, said in a low voice: "Unfortunately, like many highland villages, in recent years in Xieng Tam there have been a number of people "involved" in drugs, greatly affecting family happiness and security and order."

Leaving My Ly by motorboat down the Nam Non River, Xieng Tam village gradually becomes further and further away... then blends into the misty clouds of the border mountains and forests. I hope Xieng Tam will forever maintain its ancient, prosperous and peaceful appearance, not be destroyed by the "tornado" of drugs!

Cong Kien