200-year-old ancient village devastated after storm and flood
These days, the ancient village of Thien Huong is immersed in a gloomy atmosphere. Many Tay ethnic people here have had to move to safe temporary shelters, leaving behind houses that contain the memories of many generations. A once peaceful village is now burdened with worries and regrets.
This village has gone through two centuries, the once solid earthen walls are cracked, spreading and gradually eating into the houses, the ancient tiled roofs are also crooked, ready to collapse. The recent heavy, persistent rains have further degraded the houses, making them unsafe for people to live in.
Ms. Nong Thi Hop - Thien Huong village, Dong Van town - said that the village is home to 40 households, all of whom are Tay ethnic group. For a long time, Thien Huong village has not only been a home but also a place to preserve the memories and culture of many generations.
“I have been here since I was a child, this house is where my ancestors built and lived for more than half of their lives, I have witnessed the village change every day but never once thought that one day I would have to leave behind this house filled with so many memories” - Mrs. Hop sadly said. According to Mrs. Hop, none of the people here want to leave the land that has been attached to and sheltered for so many generations to leave, but given the state of the house being degraded, seriously cracked, and possibly collapsing at any time, threatening their health and lives, they are forced to accept.
Emergency evacuation from danger zone
Sharing the same grief, Ms. Luong Thi Mai, Thien Huong village, Dong Van town, could not hide her sadness when looking at her house - the place that sheltered many generations of her family - now full of cracks running down the wall.
“Although it is painful and regretful, staying is too dangerous. The cracks have now penetrated deep into the house and walkway. We don’t know how long the house will last. Now that it is raining heavily, there is a high risk of landslides and collapse. It is very painful to leave. The villagers really hope that the authorities at all levels will have a plan to build a new place to live so that they can soon stabilize their lives,” Ms. Mai said, choking up.
Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Chang Van Minh - Chairman of Dong Van Town People's Committee - said that recently, due to the impact of storms and rains, large cracks have appeared in Thien Huong village, and the land has subsided by 30-40cm in some places, posing a danger to local residents.
“Authorities have inspected the cracks and determined the risk of landslides is high, thereby Ha Giang province has declared a state of emergency. 26 households in the affected area have been evacuated to safety, the remaining households have gone to stay with relatives,” the town chairman informed.
According to the leaders of Dong Van town, agencies at all levels are currently seeking opinions on building a resettlement area for people, the new residential area is about 500m from the old village. At the same time, encouraging the construction of the village combined with the restoration of the architecture of the ancient village of Thien Huong to develop the tourist village and not lose the ancient architecture of the Tay people.
