Happy New Year Hivers all around the world <3
So we're all going to new year - 2022, new start with full of hopes and dreams. The world has suffered a lot from two-year outbreak of Covid pandemic, now it's time for us to believe in the recovery of economic and people's life.
In the last two years, I had lots of loss and paint, but it's also a chance for me to "look back", live slowly and enjoy, appreciate every moment I have with everything aroun, see something never seen, hear something never heard and do something never done.
Today, I'd like to introduce you guys a new favourite spot of the locals in my city. This area had never been discovered by the people living in Da Nang city until the recent year, when the pandemic broke out and they couldn't travel to other city/country.
Hoa Bac is a small ward of Hoa Vang district, located in the surburb of Da Nang city, Viet Nam, which is just about 20 kilometers from the city center. Hoa Bac is a small valley, surrounded by high mountains with a river flowing in the middle. The entry road to Hoa Bac is a long and winding road, up and down the mountain and along the river, that's why not many people knew about this place.
The population of Hoa Bac is quite small, and most of them are farmers. That's why Hoa Bac still maintains its rustic, idyllic life with peaceful atmostphere.
We may discover Hoa Bac most of time of a year, except the rainy season, which is around November - December, because of the geography of Hoa Bac, it's a valley, closed to high mountains with a big river, the flood occurred throughout whole area in this season.
To start a new year, I have a trip to visit my friend living in Hoa Bac, by bicycle, my first workout of the year.
The best road to Hoa Bac is the beautiful coastal road of Da Nang city, Nguyen Tat Thanh street. We start cycling before the dawn, so we may see the sun rise from the ocean on the way.
The sun slowly rises from the horizon and the ocean, the sky is clear. A sign of a wonderful year is coming...
The road to Hoa Bac is also quite amazing. This is Nam O rail bridge, crosses Cu De river, which is located on the main rail road, from the North to the South of Viet Nam. This small road you see on the photo was used for motorbikes time ago. Nowadays, the goverment built 2 new bridges for other vehicles, this road becomes a viewing spot and place for local people fishing.
The highway goes up and down the mountains. It was built last year, which helps to reduce half time to travel to Hoa Bac from the city center.
The sun was getting higher when we were on the highway.
From the Highway, you may see the panorama of Hoa Bac valley, a small area in the middle of the mountains. We exited the highway and got into the valley from here, followed the riverside road.
The cows blocked our road. They are the most priority thing on the road in the countryside.
The bamboos on the side of a river - a really "Vietnam" view.
Time for our "war horses" to rest.
The dogs are the most friendly animals in Viet Nam. They are really smart and loyal to their owners. People raise dogs to guard their houses. This dog looks quite happy and friendly in the daytime, but in the night, it becomes a real guardian.
"Quack quack" A idyllic scene of the countryside.
Before continuing our ride, we stopped by a local food store to have breakfast.
This is "My Quang", a cuisine of Da Nang city. It's a kind in hundred noodles in Viet Nam. This noodles are made from rice flour, with the soup cooked with chicken and eggs. My Quang is always served with a rice cracker and lots of vegetables: lectuce, young banana tree, banana flower, basil and some others.
This food store is right opposited to "Yen Retreat", you should try once you come here.
A country road in the middle of the rice field
This riverbank is quite popular for Da Nang people. With a large grass yard with the view of mountains and river.
Faraway, we may see a church hidden in the trees, creating a pictureque scenery.
Many people from the city center come here during weekends and holidays to enjoy the peace.
That was a wonderful morning.
After meet my friend, he led us to the sugarcane farm of his family, also shown us a amazing reef by the river, where we dipped under the river to refresh after a long ride.
enjoy the most fresh sugarcane ever.
Hoa Bac is well-known for sugarcane farm. Because of the soil conditions, sugarcanes grown in Hoa Bac are sweet in a special way.
In Vietnam, besides making sugar, we also use sugarcane to make a special drink, which is popular during summer: Sugarcane juice.
our lunch ... Yummy
This reef is located in the curve of the river, created a small shallow area, which is safe for swimming. After a long ride, this was our favorite spot.
I have already visited Hoa Bac many times before, but whenever I come back, it always brings to me a comfortable feeling. Not only from the delightful scenery, but also from the lifestyle of local people. Unlike people living in the city, who always run their whole life, chasing the power and money. People here lives an easy and simple life, they know how to adapt to adversity and know what is "enough". In the morning, they go to farm, produce enough food for their family, and come home in the afternoon, make some tea and go to the riverbank and enjoy...
What are you looking for in your life?
Thank you for coming with me to the end. See you all in my next trip.
HAPPY NEW YEARRRR
Thank you <3