As the flooding season neared its end, we visited An Giang Province and came to Tuong Mountain in Ba Chuc Town, Tinh Bien District.
Tuong Mountain, so-called Lien Hoa Son, is 145 metres high and belongs to the That Son Mountain Range. The mountain is famous for historical relics from Pol Pot’s regime.
Parking at a coffee shop at the foot of the mountain, we started trekking up the mount under local guide Tran Cong Doan. The path up the peak is narrow and sinuous under the shade of numerous wild trees and flowers. The scenery is deserted and primitive and silence is only broken by the chirping of birds and buzz of insects.
On the way, we met a monk carrying firewood and bamboo from the mountain. The monk stopped with us for a while to tell us some history about the 17th century revolutions. The stories made us more curious to conquer the peak to witness relics of history and to visit the past battle field.
The higher we trekked, the harder the journey was with bramble bush, slippery rocks and hazardous sloping sections.
Finally, we reached the peak and its magnificent surroundings, releasing all the tiredness after a long trek. We saw blockhouses as a giant soldier protecting the country and fortress scattered in caves.
On the peak, we took a panoramic view of Tinh Bien District below with immense rice fields studded some houses, buffalos and winding canals. We reflected on the evil of Pot’s murderous regime and the misery of innocent victims of the past somberly and appreciated the beauty and the peace and quiet of now.
