he coming fall is also the time when many young people gather together to go to the enchanting Northwest region.
They come here not only to immerse themselves in the fragrant breeze of ripe rice, but also to listen to mysterious stories told by the people here, short stories that remind them of a beautiful mountain and forest place. colorful culture. When mentioning Yen Bai, most of us will think of the golden terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai, the tea forests located halfway up the mountain of Suoi Giang or the majesty of Pu Nhu waterfall. . But few people know, Yen Bai also owns a mysterious place that fascinates many young people who love to explore culture, filled with mysteries that everyone wants to experience once.
Terraced fields – natural masterpieces of the Northwest region (Photo: Sarawut Intarob)
That is Tu Le commune, a valley of nearly 3,000 hectares in Van Chan district, located under three mountain ranges Khau Pha, Khau Song and Khau Than. This place is known for its charming Northwest scenery, fragrant sticky rice specialties, natural hot mineral water springs, and perhaps most prominently, the sacred customs of the Thai ethnic people.
Com Tu Le – pearl of the Northwest region
About 50km east of Mu Cang Chai, around September every year, if you travel on Highway 32 starting from Nghia Lo town and suddenly smell the light aroma of green rice, it means you have arrived in Tu Le. Already.
Thai people here often say that in the past, when their ancestors went to reclaim land, they accidentally found a sticky rice variety with large flowers, round seeds and a sweet fragrance. Seeing that, they immediately decided to stay and establish a village, build a village, then open a field, propagate rice varieties for planting, thereby creating the Tu Le region with the unique culture of the Thai people today.
Com Tu Le is famous everywhere (Photo: Internet)
In addition to being used to prepare the famous sweet and sticky rice dish, this unusually fragrant white rice is also used to cook sticky rice with a rich flavor, or the specialty of rice porridge cooked with duck broth is still considered the culinary quintessence of Vietnam. Tu Le people.
More interestingly, if the tan sticky rice variety is planted in neighboring areas, it will not be able to produce premium rice seeds comparable to Tu Le. According to researchers, the above specialness comes from natural conditions such as climate, water source, and soil that are only found at the foot of Khau Pha pass. So for many generations, people here have considered sticky sticky rice and fragrant rice to be special gifts given to them by God.
Hot springs with the custom of “fairy bathing”
In addition to tan sticky rice, Tu Le is also blessed by nature with a unique gift that few other places have, which is the famous Chao hot springs from near and far, attracting international tourists to visit. to immerse yourself in warm water for once.
In the past, when tourism was not yet developed, when thinking of Tu Le, many travel enthusiasts assumed that the image of this magical valley was Thai girls bathing naked by the stream, a simple beauty that Not vulgar at all, making anyone who comes once will remember forever.
Beautiful Thai girls “cause nostalgia” for tourists from all over
According to people in Tu Le commune, “bathing” is a unique cultural practice that is always respected and preserved by Thai people. Hot mineral water flowing from the ground is stored in a swimming pool built by the people, so that after a day of hard work, they can immediately immerse themselves in the water as a way to relax and recharge. .
Bathing – one of the most unique customs of Thai people
Thai people also say that mineral springs are always compared to a miraculous remedy that can cure all diseases. Sick people immerse themselves in the water and feel refreshed the next day. If they have a sore throat, they only need to drink water in the morning from the stream to get better. Thai village women bathe in the stream regularly so their skin is always white and smooth.
Although it is called “fairy bathing”, Thai people bathe in mineral springs very civilized, boys and girls always keep their distance when bathing. Men wear shorts, women wear a skirt and a towel to cover their chest. When they go into the water, they remove the towel to leave their upper half bare. This is also a factor that shows community solidarity and the spirit of beauty in the lives of the people here.
The natural beauty of “muse” Tu Le
Like La Pan Tan and De Xu Phinh during the golden season of terraced fields, in September and October, the whole of Tu Le also shines with the bright yellow color of ripe rice fields. Waves of rice blowing, small streams reflecting the afternoon sunlight create a magical scene that no one can experience in urban areas.
Unlike other places, Tu Le field feels much more “gentle” because it is not located precariously on hills or deep in the valley. It’s also a terraced field, but Tu Le brings a closer feeling, just reaching out your hand can touch the beauty of the “fairy” of the Northwest.
Tu Le in the bright morning
In recent years, receiving investment from Yen Bai Province and businesses, Tu Le has also become more beautiful and elegant. Roads have been improved, hot springs have been properly utilized and have become a tourist attraction from near and far. The landscape is therefore much more beautiful and eye-catching.
The appearance of high-class resorts such as Le Champ Tu Le has shown that this land is rising to become a prominent resort tourist destination in the Northwest.
Most notable recently is the appearance of a high-class resort called Le Champ, newly completed right in the center of Tu Le. With its back against the mountain, surrounded by rolling waves of rice, this resort possesses full amenities and classy services, standing out amidst the lush green landscape at the foot of Khau Pha pass, helping not only young people but also young people. Tourists from all over also have a more perfect experience in this mysterious land of mountains and forests.
Like a sunset in Tu Le, there is nothing better than the feeling of soaking in the mineral spring, inhaling the scent of freshly baked green rice, watching the sun slowly descend behind the pine mountains. also full of “love”.