The tour of the bamboo raft named after the stream
For many years, 57 households with more than 330 people in Huoi Lich 1 village (Nam Ke commune, Dien Bien province) have had to risk their lives on fragile bamboo rafts to cross Nam Cha stream.
This is also the nearest main road (nearly 30km) for people in Huoi Lich 1 village to the center of Nam Ke commune. However, the road to the commune center to trade, solve administrative tasks or go to school for students is cut off by the fierce stream, especially during the rainy season.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper reporter, Mr. Sung A Sinh - Head of Huoi Lich 1 village could not hide his concern: "In the dry season, people travel temporarily, but in the rainy season, it is very difficult, the stream is big, flowing rapidly, and travel is very affected. People have to use bamboo rafts, if the water is small, the towing will be less, if the water is large, the towing will be very dangerous".
The fragile bamboo raft, pulled back and forth by a rope, became the only means of transportation across the stream but was also a constant obsession. This is the main route for people in Huoi Lich 1 village to the center of Nam Ke commune, Quang Lam commune for exchanging, trading goods, and especially for students to go to school.
"Although there is another road passing through the old Pa My commune, the new commune headquarters has moved to Nam Ke, people and students in group 1, Huoi Lich 1 village mainly go this route. Traveling by raft is very dangerous, but there is no other way" - Mr. Sinh said.
That lurking danger turned into a "tedonia" on July 4, when 3 children in Huoi Lich 1 village were riding a boat across the stream together, right when the stream water was rising and flowing rapidly, causing the boat's cable to slip.
The two children were lucky to swim to shore safely, however, Mr. Lau A Tua's (8 years old) child was swept away by the strong water. After many days of searching, it was not until the afternoon of July 7 that the authorities found the child's body in the Nam Cha stream area, about 15km from the accident site.
Wishing for a bridge
Talking to reporters of Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Vu Duc Thiep - Vice Chairman of Nam Ke Commune People's Committee said that the commune government understands the hardships that people are facing.
"During the rainy season, traveling for people in Huoi Lich 1 village and even households in Quang Lam commune with fields in the area is extremely difficult. People have to use homemade bamboo rafts, usually 2-3 adults to pull the rafts across the stream" - Mr. Thiep said.
Mr. Thiep also added that the Quang Lam - Pa My road also often experiences landslides, making travel even more difficult.
"In the coming time, the commune will continue to request competent authorities to pay attention, create conditions, and supplement capital to build a solid bridge across the stream, ensuring safety for people to travel and develop production, especially during the rainy and flood season" - Mr. Thiep affirmed.
More than ever, more than 330 people in Huoi Lich 1 village are waiting for their dream of a bridge to come true, so that every day passing through the stream is no longer a bet with death.
