“Hạt gạo làng ta có vị phù sa.”

The words above convey a sense of pride in the local rice and the fertile soil that nurtures it. Through our hotel, we arranged a motorcycle tour, and along the way our drivers voiced that same pride in their homeland.

We were there after the rice harvest. They were actually burning the fields to prepare for the next crop.

First, they took us to a carpentry village where they made furniture, wove mats, and carved sculptures.

A carver in the village

He let us try our hand at carving the fragrant wood—Gỗ Trắc (rosewood), Gỗ Đàn Hương (sandalwood) and  Gỗ Bạc Hà (mint wood).

Very ornate work

Making incense

Died bamboo sticks for incense

Beautiful furniture

That’s me on the back of a motorcycle!

Rice drying in the field

Fish farm

Next, they took us to a fishing village. Look at the size of those cuddlefish!

Cruising along narrow roads between fields and water sources

They wanted us to ride a water buffalo. 

There was no telling them that we have the same animal on our island.

Rice drying on the road

In some places, we drove over it.

Peanuts

Our guide took us to a community garden in his own village. He was showing us how they water the plants. Aaron put this on his neck. It was very heavy.

Before returning to our hotel, they treated us to coffee with a view of the rice field.

to be continued…