“First Thanh, Second Lo,
Third Than, Forth Tac” – an old adage from our ancestors placed Muong Than
among the most beautiful fields in Northwest region.
Mysterious stories about the “Winds of Than
Uyen” can spur any enthusiastic adventurer to journey along Road 32 from Mu
Cang Chai (Yen Bai
Province) to Than Uyen (Lai Chau
Province) in a sunny
winter day. The town of Than Uyen
is located in a valley, among a vast, sloping field. Here, a peaceful
countryside welcome visitors to join the rustic lifestyle of local people
weaving traditional “Tho Cam” brocades. A traveler, however weary, would be promptly
mesmerized by a charming landscape and delicious local cuisines. First among
them is “Pa Boong” – a time-honored fish delicacy of Thai people. It can be
found everywhere, from small inns to beautiful stilt houses of Thai ethnic
group.
To prepare this unique and
fantastic cuisine, the local inhabitants need to catch the fish named “pa vá” fresh
from the Nam Mu stream. After being preliminarily cleaned, the fish is well seasoned
with ginger, salt, chili, garlic, wine, especially the fragrant dried rice
flavor. Afterwards, the fish is put into a sealed bamboo pipe, to marinate for
half of the month, absorbing salts and other spices, before it is considered
ready. At the feasting table, the fish is then grilled over charcoal, filling
the room with its sweet, mouth-watering aroma. This delicacy, usually served
with sticky rice, would leave a pleasant and everlasting experience, etched
into the memories of the lucky visitors.
In this season, strolling in the
field of Muong Than, one can imagine getting lost in an endless magical valley
from the fairy tales, spell-bound by the colorful rhythm of the country life. The
winds rushing into the basin have created a special climate on this third most beautiful
field in Tay Bac – the Northwest, their sharp whistles during dry seasons poetically
dubbed the “Winds of Than Uyen”, told far and wide in fascinating stories. In discovering
Than Uyen, travelers often go up to Muong Cang, across Muong Mit commune, to
see stilt houses glimpsed amid blooming patches of colorful Pinkster flowers on
the mountain slopes. Observing peaceful images of Thai people who inhabit this
beautiful lands also bring fantastic experiences, especially the women weaving traditional
fabrics. In Muong Cang commune, this is their busy season, weaving clothes,
scarves and carpets for the family, while the maidens diligently prepare for
their future happy nuptials in the coming spring.
Quang Phạm
Translator: Thu Phương
Update: 12/5/2014