Dong Van stone plateau in Ha Giang, where the
climate is harsh and water is scarce all year round, has a crystal clear
underground water source that never runs dry. People call it the holy well
(central area of Dong Van commune) - a treasure bestowed by heaven, which not
only nourishes the village but also preserves sacred legends for many
generations.
Ha Giang travel
Legendary water source in Dong Van: Treasure from heaven
Legend has it that the Dong Van land was always full of life, with lush green
grass and trees, and birds singing merrily every spring. However, since people
came to reclaim the land and cultivate, the trees gradually withered and died.
Every year, when the rains passed, the water ran out, the land cracked, the
trees died, and life became increasingly difficult.
One day, a shaman passed by and saw the shape of the mountain and the land and
saw that this was a "hidden dragon" area but was blocked by water source. He
advised everyone to find the blocked water source and if it could be cleared,
the whole area would be prosperous and peaceful again.
After many days of searching, the villagers discovered a small stream flowing
from a high rocky mountain range, blocking the northwest of the valley. After
examining it, the shaman confirmed that this was the residence of the Water God,
not knowing why he did not give water to the valley and the people in the area.
Everyone discussed and agreed to hold a ceremony to ask the God to give water to
the villagers to serve their daily lives, to irrigate the dry valley.
After the ceremony, from the rock crevice, water began to increase and flow out
in a clear stream. Everyone tried to drink the water and found it very sweet and
cool. The water flowed throughout the valley, the withered trees gradually
turned green again, and people also had a source of water for daily use, without
having to go to the other side of the mountain to fetch water. From then on, the
villagers built a temple right here to worship the Water God.
Dong Van plateau has karst geological features, limestone occupies most of the
area, thin soil, and scarce surface water. Every year when the dry season comes,
many villages lack water for daily use, people have to carry cans far away to
get water; everyone shares each ladle of water for daily activities and raising
livestock. In that context, the holy well becomes a lifeline, a stable, cool
water source all year round, helping the village overcome harsh times. People
here still pass on the saying: "With a well, the village will never die of
thirst". This is a precious water source, a gift from heaven, thanks to the holy
well, people can rest assured to plant and raise livestock, without worrying
about thirst.
Through research, geologists have confirmed that the holy well is the outlet of
an ancient underground river formed through millions of years of limestone
weathering. Thanks to the vast underground cave system, the water source remains
stable and flows steadily all year round. The combination of folk legends and
scientific explanations further enhances the unique value of the Dong Van holy
well.
For the people, the holy well is not only a source of water for daily life, but
also a center of community cohesion. At the well, children chatter with their
cans, women chat on the stone steps, and men discuss the crops. The people also
make rules to protect the well: no washing or dumping of waste at the mouth of
the well; dividing the area for domestic water and water for livestock; regular
cleaning and dredging... Everyone considers the well the heart of the village
and is responsible for preserving it.
Every year, people here choose New Year's Eve to hold a ceremony to ask the gods
for new water, pray for health for themselves and their families, pray for
favorable weather, good crops, and a happy and prosperous family. On the first
and fifteenth day of every month, people often come to burn incense and pray to
the Water God for peace, luck, prosperity, and smooth travel.
In recent years, the local government has paid attention to investing and
renovating the holy well with a system of stone embankments, washing steps, and
stone-paved grounds, creating a harmonious landscape. This place is not only a
place to supply water, but also gradually becoming a tourist, cultural and
spiritual destination.
Tourists coming to Dong Van, in addition to admiring the majestic mountains and
forests, the quiet old town, the sound of H'Mong flutes by the stone fence, also
come to the holy well to drink the cool water, listen to ancient legends and
feel the strong bond between people and nature.
In addition to renovating the landscape around the holy well, the local
government also built a Quay Tau and a H'Mong panpipe - a symbol of the H'Mong
ethnic group on the stone plateau. This cluster of tourism products has created
a highlight to attract tourists to visit and learn about the wonderful creation
of the universe that only Dong Van has.
However, for the holy well to truly become a sustainable tourist attraction,
experts say it needs to be done more systematically: protecting the water
environment, building bilingual boards introducing geological and cultural
values, organizing reasonable experiential activities, and avoiding excessive
commercialization.
The holy well today is not only a legend of the past, but also a source of life
for the present and the future. It is a treasure bestowed by heaven and earth, a
testament to the enduring vitality and steadfast faith of the people on the
stone plateau of Dong Van.
Source:
https://hagiangtraveltour.com/blog/uncovering-the-secrets-of-the-holy-well-in-dong-van.asp