For those who like to travel, the route to explore Khau Pha Pass and up to Mu Cang Chai in the Fall always has extraordinary appeal. The feeling of waiting for sunset on Horseshoe Hill to see the last rays of sunlight penetrate the floating mountain clouds, radiating five-color light onto the golden terraced fields; or the absolute peace of waking up early in the morning, in a small village, next to a gurgling stream, hearing the sound of birds passing through the branches of a Phang tree whose leaves have also turned yellow, are feelings of slow living, peace and cleansing.
In Mu Cang Chai this season, the mountain slopes, hillsides, and upland slopes are all brilliantly yellow. The bright yellow color of the rice is mixed with the bright yellow and dark yellow of the forest foliage. Amidst the vast expanse of bright yellow heaven and earth, the brocade dresses of Mong and Thai girls swaying on their backs carrying baskets of cardamom, their shy cheeks adorn the picture of a more beautiful Northwest region.
Khau Pha, Thai ethnic language means “Horn of Heaven”. It is one of the four great passes of Vietnam. Khau Pha Pass is like a horn rising to the top of the sky, covered in clouds all four seasons. Located between three high rolling mountains at the foot of Khau Pha pass, Tu Le valley has begun a new green rice season. This season, the whole land of Tu Le is drenched in the fragrance of green rice. Before crossing the pass, tourists want to stop here to enjoy the crispy, cool taste of green rice and inhale the flavor of green rice blown by the mountain wind throughout the village.
To make the famous green rice in Tu Le, sticky rice is harvested when it is still milky. Rice is harvested by Thai girls early in the morning, when the sky is still slightly dewy, and must be processed during the day. The Tan La sticky rice variety has large, round grains and a unique flavor. It is soaked in cold water to remove the flat grains, then roasted in a large pan until the shell cracks and is fragrant. After cooling, the sticky rice is pounded in a wooden mortar. Cong Doan pounded the green rice carefully to remove the husk, until the green rice grains were flat, round, green…
This year, Tu Le commune organizes the Com Festival with the theme “The flavors of Tu Le autumn”. This is a meaningful activity to preserve, restore and develop the rich cultural values of indigenous people; It is also an opportunity to introduce and promote the image of people, cultural identity and precious products of Tu Le land to tourists from near and far.
Visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere with activities displaying Tu Le green rice products. Cereal pounding contest, traditional tray display, national costume contest, banh giay pounding contest, participating in folk games, enjoying traditional musical performances and admiring charming Thai girls, Muong girls… in the contest “Beauty of a girl in the land of Com”…
With the majestic land and people of the Northwest, every feeling and experience is just a gentle touch. But in that wonderful picture, the golden autumn on Mu Cang Chai road is an enchanting experience. Go, and capture the most beautiful and memorable moments to see our Fatherland, our vast and extremely beautiful rivers!
