Every June and July, all roads to the Duy Son mountainous commune in Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province are busier. Vehicles of all kinds bring farmers, traders and tourists to the blooming season of the largest lotus field in the central province.
The fragrance of the lotus flowers in the wind is enough to refresh the travellers’ spirit even those who have travelled from afar.
Chanh Loc Village is a concentrated lotus growing place of Duy Son Commune with many scattered and alternating lotus fields, of which the largest and most famous is the Tra Ly - Dong Lon field. Lotus cultivation has been developed there for three decades. However, over the past five years, tourism has added value to the lotus in the locality. Unlike many other places where lotus is grown on lakes or swamps, Tra Ly lotus lives in shallow fields, so people can easily walk and admire the flowers on many small paths.
From Hoi An city to the southwest about 30 kilometres, travellers can follow the signs and ask the locals how to reach the Tra Ly lotus field. The friendly and enthusiastic people will lead you to destination because the lotus field is only about 2km from their residential area.
The fragrance of the lotus flowers in the wind is enough to refresh the travellers’ spirit even those who have travelled from afar. The immense lotus field is like a small valley surrounded by undulating mountains mixed with green rice fields and small clear lakes, creating a charming landscape. The scenery is even more poetic as many young people, wearing Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional long dresses) and conical hats, come to take photos alongside the pure Vietnamese beauty.
Most of Tra Ly's lotus flowers are bright pink and they stand out against the background of their green leaves. According to the experience of the farmers, the two most beautiful times to visit the lotus fields including the morning before 9am and the late afternoon to avoid the harsh summer sun in the afternoon.
In addition to lotuses, the locality has many rustic ancient houses, lush fields, gardens and green lawns beside small streams that are attractive to tourists who love nature and the peaceful scenery of the rural area. To buy gifts, visitors can choose specialty products from lotus such as lotus heart tea, dried lotus seeds and lotus cereal powder. From Duy Son, travellers can also visit other heritage craft villages of Quang Nam including My Chau silk village, Ban Thach mat weaving village and the La Thap pottery area.
My Hanh - Translated by NDO
