Cao Bang has been in love since ancient times. Although the border land is in the mountainous areas, it possesses a mostly flat, gentle terrain, completely different from neighboring mountainous provinces such as Ha Giang and Lang Son. Here, the natural road runs poorly, almost at the same elevation, winding among the lonely mountains.
The affectionate, feminine features of Cao Bang exist right from the shape of a hill, with a round, soft appearance. Because the mountains here are all old mountains, eroded by the wind and rain for thousands of years, the tops and heights have created thousands of gomeless, majestic mountains that are identical to a solid chain of citadels.
That citadel protects the lush green plains with endless bamboo forests, flat fields planted with high-altitude rice seeds, so high that the rice specks have to touch the roofs of the dark brown Tay people, the roar of the fence is almost always fierce.
Thanks to that, everything here is truly peaceful, the factor that formed the ancient name of Cao Binh province, then changed to Cao Bang, also to describe the characteristics of this land: High but still flat. There, there are historical sites such as Ma Phuc Pass, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Pac Bo Cave, Le Nin Stream, Cac Mac Mountain...
However, Cao Bang still has a very traditional " love island" area, with Thang Hen lake and Mat Than mountain in Tra Linh district. Thang Hen Lake is a natural freshwater lake located on the most beautiful mountain in Vietnam, while Mat Than Mountain is a unique mountain with an eye peeled in the middle of the mountain.
In the Tay language, Mat Than mountain is called "Pha Piot", translated as a mountain with a hole, pushing through as if the wind was flowing back and forth from side to side. According to geologists, Mat Than Mountain is actually a round hole with a diameter of more than 50m, located at an altitude of about 50m above ground.
And the beautiful grassland mentioned above is located right at the foot of Mat Than Mountain. There, green grass grows at the same altitude, forming a velvet carpet that invites to lie on your back. The highlight in the steppe is the hills of dirt that curl up like female chest paint and the three-pointed lake frog as if in bonsai.
Scattered around the lake are two rafts made of giant oil, causing curiosity because the length of the rafts is longer than the lake. But it is not surprising, if we know that in the summer, rainwater from the sky flows down, causing water to rise from countless streams around here, submerging the entire savings area.
At this time, from the foot of Mat Than Mountain and the system of 36 Thang Hen lakes, the water rose together, forming a large lake, which could only be moved by a flat raft. By the end of winter, the water recedes, leaving the land dry and that is the time when grass grows well and fresh, cattle such as buffaloes, cows, horses, and flood goats are taken turns to flee for food.
All day, the herd roams the grass, thirsts to go to the water drinking hole, gathers in mud to prepare the pond, and at night, it automatically follows the sound to sleep at home without needing a mat. That is a quiet life that makes people jealous and desire.
Who can give up everything and come here, luxuriate on the grass of the sky, drink the water from the sky pouring like buffaloes and horses in Tra Linh. After only a few weeks, the horses were red, fat and had smooth feathers. In late spring and summer, they no longer look hot and thriving.
They are leisurely grazing, scratching the edge of the rock and grazing even the flock together in the steppe to stretch the stems. Is it really fun? The sound of buffalo music on their necks every time shakes the leng keng as if playing music to make life a little more fairy-tale romance.
Therefore, backpackers also learn from buffaloes and horses to travel here, set up tents on the grass, breathe a lot of fresh air, rich in oxygen and immune to fine dust or fog.
The steppe is very deserted at night because buffalo, horse, cow and goat have returned home. The night and the stillness surrounded and dominated everything. There was no sound other than the wind blowing, the sound of insects barging, the sound of fire burning out the tires to warm up and the words of cheering and crowing.
Even in late January, this place occasionally has a few unusual sparkling evenings. The sky fell close to their reach, showing off the bright and big stars. The stars are bright, bright like the eyes of children, of souls who have not yet suffered from the dust and the heavy burden of food and clothing.
Suddenly remembering the nights of watching the stream lights in Lung Cu, in Ma Le, in Dong Cao. something just flows, soaking the heart of a hotel. Just sit and watch until you fall asleep in a quiet and uncomfortable position. Then, when the dawn comes, the eyes will wake up with a warm kiss and the roar of wild birds everywhere.
Those who were sleeping in their nests could not help but listen to the footsteps of buffaloes entering the valley. The pink rays of the sun seep through the surrounding mountain peaks to get here, gradually lighting up the entire grassland that is still a bit misty and white.
When the steppe was fully warm, the cold air that was still wintering had completely disappeared, heated a cup of hot water, carried the tea and book to the clean hill to open a tea shop. On the way, they cut off a cluster of unnamed, white, and fragrant wild sunflowers to display the scent of the colors.
Then just lie among the green grass, warm sunshine and enjoy a luxuriouseness. Holding a cup of delicious tea, sitting opposite the mountain with one eye, I imagined a dream of life. To see, if the mountain is not empty, how can it contain the curiosity of humans.
The pages of the book are flip-flip, the wind blows up, bringing the aroma of wild flowers everywhere, the eyes suddenly wink. Just sleep, no one cares. Horses are grazed with highland grass. The buffaloes are busy winding in the mud. The dogs are also busy exposing themselves to the sun. Are you happy yet?
