Tien Quanh -A peaceful village beside the Lam River.
When talking about their hometown, the people of Tien Quanh (Dong Van commune, Thanh Chuong district) can enthusiastically recount two great sources of pride: the picturesque riverside beach and the vibrant community activities that are always as joyful as a festival.
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When talking about their hometown, the people of Tien Quanh (Dong Van commune, Thanh Chuong district) can enthusiastically recount two great sources of pride: the picturesque riverside beach and the vibrant community activities that are always as joyful as a festival.
Peaceful alluvial plain
When passing through the commune's territoryDong VanThe Lam River's winding course encircles two-thirds of the locality, depositing sediment to form a region of fine sand and gently sloping beaches. The most beautiful and largest beach in this area is located in Tien Quanh hamlet. For the people of Tien Quanh, this riverside beach is an indispensable part of their lives and culture for generations.
Descending from the embankment, following the dirt road near the Tien Quanh rest stop, winding through bamboo groves and cornfields for about 100 meters, you reach the alluvial sandbank along the Lam River. At this point, instead of the rough, clayey soil covered with grass, there's a layer of fine sand that clings to your feet. After being exposed to the sun all day, the scorching heat of the sand contrasts sharply with the crystal-clear waters of the Lam River and the lush green trees on the opposite bank. A few small fishing boats leisurely casting their nets on the river add to the tranquil and poetic beauty of the alluvial plain.
“This riverbank is intimately connected to every resident of Tien Quanh. Children play there, fly kites, swim, while adults gather, play sports, and fish. At the head of the bank are two sacred rocks, known as Ong Hon and Mu Hon. Many villagers who have gone far away still come here to light incense as a way of paying their respects…” – said Mr. Hoang Truyen (born in 1986) as he led me on a tour of the riverbank. Without this introduction, I might have thought this was an area not widely known, as not a single piece of trash could be found on the sand or in the river. This shows just how much the people of Tien Quanh cherish and protect this alluvial plain.
That spirit was reaffirmed when I listened to the sharing from other residents of Tien Quanh, at a "green tea forum" at a villager's home. Mr. Hoang Van Thoi (born in 1949) shared: "Since birth, we have seen the villagers view the alluvial plain as a particularly important cultural space in their lives, a place where many community activities of the village are organized. In our subconscious, we are always grateful to the Lam River for bringing shrimp, fish, and silt to nurture us. No one in Tien Quanh grew up without the Lam River and the alluvial plain. It is our childhood, our homeland, our memories, our roots... of the people of Tien Quanh!" What Mr. Thoi said was proven by the photos and videos that the villagers had taken and saved. There were volleyball tournaments, bonfires, inaugurations of social projects, self-governing group celebrations, and celebrations on April 30th - May 1st...
“The riverside area of Tien Quanh village is unique compared to other areas because the river here has a narrow section, with both banks close together but a wide, fine, clean, and beautifully colored sandy beach. Because of this, the problem of illegal sand mining has been rampant in recent years, causing great concern among the villagers. At times, the sand is sucked up so much that the banks collapse, the river flow changes, and deep holes form at the bottom… Heartbroken for the river and the sandy beach, the villagers have to assign people to watch out for the sand-dredging barges, and sometimes the whole village rushes out to chase them away when they see one approaching,” shared an elderly villager.
The movement was as joyful as a festival.
In Tien Quanh, the community lives together like one big family, united and loving one another. It is for this reason that community activities and hometown development projects are supported by the people in a spirit of self-awareness and voluntariness.
When we arrived in Tien Quanh, the villagers were organizing a small sports competition with their neighbors. Witnessing the people, from young to old, from all walks of life and professions, gathering at the community center to participate in the competition under the hot weather, we realized how united and enthusiastic the locals are. Although it was only two friendly matches, with no real importance on winning or losing, the organization was incredibly professional: There was a logistics team providing water and fruit for everyone to enjoy while watching; a seasoned commentator, impeccably dressed, with a microphone and professional sound system; sponsors providing proper uniforms; and a media team updating articles, designing banners, and livestreaming continuously on Facebook… At the appointed time, people poured in from all directions, bicycles and motorbikes lining the walls surrounding the community center. The joy and excitement on the participants' faces made the atmosphere at the community center lively, as if it were a grand festival.
Among those who came to watch and cheer for the tournament, many were not supporters of any particular team. “We are not from Tien Quanh, but we always come to support any tournament held there. The people here are united, they organize the movement on a large scale, they contribute selflessly, and they are especially hospitable,” commented Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuan Anh, a resident of Thanh Chuong town.
Warmth and hospitality seem to be a "specialty" of the people of Tien Quanh. The locals will happily greet a stranger they happen to meet on the road, enthusiastically offer the best food if guests have time to stay, and even go to great lengths to "design" a grand event to welcome them…
Sharing his thoughts on the factors contributing to the success of spontaneous activities and movements initiated by the people, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hieu – Secretary of the Tien Quanh Hamlet Party Branch – said: “Our hamlet has energetic and reputable individuals who, although they may not hold positions in the government or any organizations, are ready to initiate, take on tasks, and be responsible for their work and for the people. From these individuals, the people have worked together to create many practical projects such as a rest stop near the stadium, flagpoles, stone benches, hamlet cameras… At the same time, in the spirit ofvoluntary"People can contribute financially or through labor according to their ability. Cultural and sports activities, as well as support for families in difficult circumstances, also receive enthusiastic and timely support from the people."
One of the "trustworthy figures" mentioned by Mr. Hieu – the initiator of many activities and movements in the hamlet – is Mr. Hoang Truyen. Sharing his secret to "winning the people's hearts," Mr. Hoang Truyen said: "I believe that the first thing that makes these movements high-quality is that the people of Tien Quanh value community and have a spirit of building their homeland. From there, individuals like us only need to demonstrate the practicality of the activities, transparency in finances, and responsibility in implementation to gain the people's trust. Once we have the people's trust, everything becomes easier and more successful. Those who can afford it contribute more, those who can't contribute their efforts, those nearby come to participate, and those far away send money to support; every contribution is precious. Every project and activity in the hamlet bears the mark of all the people."
We visited Tien Quanh on a sweltering summer day and bid farewell as the sun was setting behind the bamboo groves along the dike. We hoped to return to this place as soon as possible. We also hoped that the local authorities and people would preserve the peace and integrity of the riverbank, maintain the enthusiasm and unity in their way of life, so that Tien Quanh would forever remain a tranquil and happy village beside the Lam River.
