Buzz
The first stretch of the road was quite smooth. Our group of four traversed amidst whispering pine forests on both sides, sunlight dappling through the foliage. There was a moment crossing a breathtakingly beautiful azure marsh area, a sight I had never witnessed before. Fields of lush green rice extended as far as the eye could see, with a few quaint wooden houses dotted amidst the tranquil cornfields. As our tour guide led us through the forest, he pointed out various types of trees and wild fruits. I had thought one had to venture to the far west to enjoy a forest feast, yet here we were promised a wild vegetable hotpot for dinner, and excitement bubbled within me.
After our midday break, we emerged from the pine forest, entering the 'grassland' terrain. Throughout the first afternoon, we trekked through vast expanses of grassland to reach our camping spot atop the highest hill. The grassland sprawled endlessly, offering panoramic views that left one speechless. Looking at our tiny figures in a corner of a photo, one could imagine magnifying the scene sevenfold to grasp how diminutive we felt against the vast expanse of land and sky.
Trekking has never been a bed of roses. To traverse the grassland terrain, we had to conquer five hills in total (three on the first day), each averaging 600-800 meters in height, equivalent to a 40-story building, with slopes as steep as 60 degrees. Carrying heavy backpacks laden with food and water under the scorching sun, I collapsed after just ten steps up the first hill. With every few steps, I had to pause to catch my breath, while others encouraged me to persevere, some carrying my backpack, others pushing me up steep inclines.
The slopes in Ta Nang are no joke. Looking up from below, one would think the summit is within reach, only to find another peak looming ahead upon reaching the supposed destination. It seemed endless, with no stopping points in sight. After several failed attempts, I resigned myself to slow progress, knowing that perseverance would eventually lead me to my destination, as long as I didn't give up. The steep slopes, refreshing breeze, and the vast expanse of grassland below made me contemplate the common ideal of spending youth accumulating wealth for retirement. When one's body grows old and weary, even climbing a few stairs can be arduous, let alone tackling towering mountains. I pondered how precious youth is compared to material wealth.
After much struggle, I finally conquered all three hills and set foot at the camping site. The sensation at that moment is beyond words. It felt as though every moment of exhaustion was being rewarded, second by second. Our camping spot atop the highest hill—just the scenery along the way warranted the descriptor 'expansive', I'm at a loss for words on what to call this.
Faced with such breathtaking scenery, I didn't know what to do other than stand in awe upon the lush green carpet. The scene was already perfect; there was no need for me to add anything more. No amount of advanced technology could surpass the experience of witnessing it with my own eyes, listening to the whispers of the mountains and forests with my own ears.
Our evening passed by amidst crackling flames, where four souls from different worlds sat together amidst towering mountains, sharing stories of life, youth, and dreams. No one buried their face in a phone, free from the annoyances of civilized life, away from irritating notification bells. Happiness sometimes is simply the world's best wild vegetable hotpot, sipping warm ginger tea together, leaning on each other while gazing at the flickering flames in the night. Even as we settled into our warm tents, the song from the tiny speaker brought by my friend lingered in my ears, blending with the rustling of the wind through the hills.
The journey of the second day mirrored the first. We had to traverse through the 'grasslands', climb two hills as tall as 40-story buildings, and trek several miles through the forest to reach a stream before nightfall. However, descending from the highlands to the lowlands, the vegetation grew sparser, the climate hotter, and with only about 3 liters of water left for the four of us. The slopes that had been a struggle to ascend the previous day became even more challenging without enough water. We staggered under the blazing sun, sharing every last drop of water when thirst became unbearable.
Every road leads to its destination, as long as one doesn't give up halfway, as long as one perseveres. I'll forever cherish the moment my heart leapt upon hearing the babbling of the stream, then seeing it gradually come into view—its clear waters meandering gracefully between rocks, serene in some stretches, playful in others. Water means unlimited refreshment, the opportunity for a clean wash after two days of rugged terrain, the essence of life. The path ahead seemed much lighter as we reached our second camping spot by the stream at 4 p.m.
Our tour guide regaled us with tales of his adventures in the ancient forests, days spent alone in the sacred Bạch Mã forests, facing life and death. He dedicated much of his time to wandering in the woods, forging a bond with nature, unaffected by modern conveniences or the hustle and bustle of the outside world. The fire crackled softly, its dancing flames mingling with the flickering fireflies in the thick night. The forest was dark, yet strangely luminous.
The third day passed relatively smoothly as we had conquered all the hills and now tread on level ground. With full stomachs, quenched thirst, and clean bodies, the journey seemed less arduous despite navigating through tall grass and thickets of trees with massive roots.
Perhaps because of the hardships of the previous two days, today seemed much easier. With the desire to complete the journey pushing us forward, we walked briskly for about three hours until we reached the forest's edge. After another five miles under the scorching sun, I began to notice passing vehicles, then people, then houses, then villages. Instead of the eager anticipation of starting a journey upon leaving the village behind, stepping out of the forest brought a whirlwind of emotions—I was joyful, overwhelmed, touched, and felt a surge of nostalgia.
And so my journey concluded with a refreshing can of ice-cold Coca-Cola, accompanied by an equally refreshing sense of contentment. I've embarked on some crazy adventures in my life—like backpacking across Vietnam from one day to the next, or cycling 100 kilometers on the open road—but truth be told, I've never regretted a single one. Whether wild or exhausting, every journey has left me feeling a bit bigger, yet also a bit smaller. Bigger than yesterday, yet realizing how tiny I am in the grand scheme of nature, in the face of humanity.
Go, while you still can.
- To prepare for the 3-day Tà Năng trip, apart from the clothes on your back, you'll need 1 pair of pants, 3 shirts, 3 pairs of socks, comfortable shoes, sandals, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, a sleeping bag, tent, fully charged power bank, wet wipes, and plenty of chocolate. Remember, the lighter, the better.
- From the Ta Hine crossroads to the edge of the forest is approximately 40 kilometers. Some motorbike taxis may offer to take you all the way to the forest's edge for around 200,000 VND per ride. Sharing a ride might save costs but can be risky. It's advisable to opt for a taxi if traveling in a group.
- Make sure to prepare yourself physically before the trip if you're not accustomed to physical activity. Even those who exercise daily may struggle on the Tà Năng slopes due to lack of endurance. Ideally, the Tà Năng trail should be completed within 3 days; doing it in 2 days might leave you too exhausted to fully appreciate the beauty around you.
Source: Trí Thức Trẻ
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourJuly 7, 2016
