In November, when the first cold air of the season squeezes through each bank of Moc Chau hill, Vietravel buses depart with more than 20 tourists, bringing hundreds of warm gifts to children in the highlands at Tong Chieng - Huoi Hai school, Chieng Sung commune, Son La province.
The bus departs at 4am, crossing more than 200km of the winding mountain pass to Huoi Hai village, to Tong Chieng Kindergarten & Primary School (under Chieng Sung Primary and Secondary School - Mai Son). There are small classes here nestled in the mountains and forests with more than 150 Mong children who still persistently walk dozens of kilometers every day to get to school, regardless of the hail or cold wind.
Here, Vietravel and the group presented the children with practical gifts such as TVs, refrigerators for food storage, beds, boarding meals, warm clothes, cake gifts and school supplies... with a total value of 100 million VND. The gifts not only help improve learning conditions, but also give teachers and students more motivation to stay in class, keeping the fire of knowledge in the middle of remote mountains and forests.
Ms. Duong Van, a teacher at the school, shared: "Every winter is harsh, but this year will be much warmer thanks to the heart of the volunteer group. Not only a gift, but also a joy, a care that makes us and the children feel warmer than ever".
The joy shines in the eyes of the children when each gift is given to them. The little hands clinging to the new shirt, the laughter in the middle of Moc Chau mountains and forests, and it seems that winter is less cold. Not only giving gifts, the group also sang, danced, and played games with the children, the gap between tourists and villagers seemed to disappear, leaving behind only complete happiness.
Not only a charity trip, many tourists in the group - especially families with young children, have considered this a meaningful "lesson". Children are given gifts directly, play with friends in the highlands, listen to stories about their determination to study, rise up in difficult circumstances and deeply feel the value of sharing.
Mr. Pham Thanh Tung, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: I want my children to experience it, to understand that there are many children who work harder than me. This trip made my whole family happy, because we were given and loved.
Over the past 15 years, the "Warm Clothes for Children" program has become a beautiful mark in Vietravel Hanoi's community activities. Every year, hundreds of gifts are given to children in mountainous areas, contributing to bringing joy to school, arousing the spirit of mutual love in each tourist.
In addition to volunteer activities, visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy relaxing moments in the poetic scenery of Moc Chau plateau.
At Phoenix Moc Chau Resort, visitors can immerse themselves in the fresh air of Ban Ang pine forest, strolling between fairy garden, waterfall and the calm lake reflecting the clouds.
The journey continues with stops at Mocha Hill and Moc Chau Island - famous eco-tourism areas with green tea hills, experience making traditional candy and try to go to Bach Long glass bridge, an adventurous zipline game.
On the way, the group stopped to visit the fruit-laden pink garden in the ripe season, enjoying the sweet aroma spread throughout the valley.
In the cold weather, Moc Chau appears both majestic and poetic - so that each person when leaving can feel their heart "recharged" after a meaningful journey of sharing.
