River becomes playground
Usually, from about March to June, the water level of the Da River drops low. But this year, entering September, there are times when the river still dries up to the bottom.
The water recedes deeply, revealing wide patches running along the riverbed. Large rocks that were usually underwater all year round are now clearly visible.
In the afternoon, many people go down to the riverbank. Some people scoop shrimp and catch small fish. Children are excited to wade in the water, play with pebbles, and find stones with special shapes.
When going down to play in the riverbed, families also do not forget to pay attention to safety. The adults who come along are all swimmers, always staying close to observe and remind young children not to go too far.
Babies who already know how to swim are also equipped with buoys by their relatives when they go into the water. They can both play in the water and practice swimming in a safe area under the observation of adults.
Stones call memories back
Mr. Ninh Duy Khai, from Hoa Binh ward, currently working in Hanoi, said that he is visiting his family and taking his children down to experience the riverbed when the water dries up.
Standing in the familiar gravel bank, memories that seemed to be left behind suddenly rushed back. Although this riverbank has changed a lot, the gravel bank and large rocks in the middle of the river are still there. My children really like it," Mr. Khai shared.
For him, this return trip does not need a fussy playground. Just take the children down to the riverbank, let them freely play in the water, pick up pebbles, and look at the rocks in the middle of the river is enough.
It is not just a stream of water flowing through the city. For those who were born and raised by the river, each gravel, stone, and curve of the stream can be associated with a story.
A river packing many emotions
Along the Da River, from Hoa Binh ward to Ky Son ward, many people still try to spend a little time during the day to admire the river. Sometimes they just stand on the bridge looking down. Sometimes they walk along the river. And when the water recedes, they step into the riverbed, touching the cool gravel.
No need for a special activity. Just a few minutes sitting by the river is enough to make people feel their hearts slow down. Everyone has a joy, a personal feeling. Because for the old Hoa Binh people, now belonging to Phu Tho province, the Da River seems not to be just a landscape.
The river is a part of memory, a part of homeland, and something very unique in each person's heart.
When the Da River is full of water, it has a strong, fierce appearance. When the water recedes, the river opens up a quiet space, where people can step closer, see the pebbles that used to be on the bottom of the water and suddenly recognize them.
There are things that seem to belong to the past still lying there. The river, after many changes, still quietly keeps its own stories of the land by the river.
