- Sir, my mother fainted from stomach ache. The neighbors are taking her to the hospital. I need to go now!
- Do you have stomach or intestinal pain?
- My mother has chronic colitis, and the disease is getting worse. She has never fainted like this before.
- Where did you find the doctor? - Mr. Van Le followed Binh to the door.
- Oh my God, there is no high mountain or deep forest that I have not visited, no good doctor that I have not sought help from, I have combined Eastern and Western medicine with worship, I even took my mother to Singapore for treatment. But the disease only subsided when she took the medicine, then it relapsed, like a ghost.
- Wait, I'll give you this - Van Le returned to the tea table, took a small glass bottle containing a sparkling amber crystal and gave it to Binh - take this bottle home, let your mother suck on it 3 times a day or when she has a stomachache, each time take out an amount equal to a green bean. Put it in your mouth to dissolve slowly, or mix it with water and drink.
- What is this, teacher? - Binh was surprised and held up the glass bottle, slightly larger than his thumb, to the light to examine it.
- Diamonds for health! - Van Le said, his voice suddenly echoing.
ILLUSTRATION: AI
Today's Le Hoa Wharf, a poetic strip of land nestled between the intersection of Phu Tho and the majestic mountains of Suoi Giang, was once the place where Le Hoa Pass echoed with historical footprints. That place, since the 14th century, has nurtured a story about tea and fate. A famous hermit physician named Muc Nhan, whose eyes could see through the life of herbs, and Le Hoa, the girl he saved, together created Muc Nhan tea - a tea that opens the mind and cleanses poison. But then the Ming-Viet war broke out, the teahouse turned to ashes, Muc Nhan transformed into a sea of fire, and Le Hoa disappeared in the mist of Gianh River.
Over the centuries, that story gradually sank into oblivion, remaining only as fragments in ancient books or oral stories of the elderly. Today, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life, a young woman appeared, as if predestined by fate, coincidentally named Le Hoa by her parents, carrying with her a strange dream about fire, tea scent, and sad eyes every late afternoon, orchid mist...
She doesn't know since when, the young tea buds from Suoi Giang mountain have become an indispensable part of her life. She devoted all her heart to researching, learning, extracting, and crystallizing them into Cao Tra Muc Nhan - a formula that she thought she had discovered herself, but it has penetrated into every fiber of her flesh and blood vessels, as if it had been a part of her since her previous life. This type of high tea, completely different from simple tea, is both a drink and a medicine to cure the body and mind, helping people regain their original health, peace of mind, and dispel the worries of life.
***
During a cozy tea party, she had the chance to meet Master Van Le - a wise master with profound knowledge of Vietnamese history and culture. As if it had been arranged from ancient times, she invited him to a cup of warm water mixed with Cao Tra Muc Nhan, which she had made herself. The aroma of the tea spread, warm and pure. The master closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then suddenly opened them, his eyes strangely wandering.
"Ben Le Hoa… I have heard about this tea, seen it in ancient books…", Van Le exclaimed, "The ancients called it Muc Nhan tea - only those with fate can make it."
She listened, her heart stopping. "What do you mean…?"
The teacher looked deep into her eyes: "Every soul carries a story, and every story has a new beginning. The scent of this tea is the breath of a thousand years, the plea of the past. But why did you make this tea?… Before making the tea, did you see anything strange?"
The teacher's words were like a bolt of lightning that struck her mind. A warm current ran down her spine, awakening memories as hazy as smoke. She vaguely saw a thatched roof house by the river, a white-bearded teacher calling her "disciple", and an unfulfilled promise to heaven and earth: "I will return to complete the dream of Vietnamese tea".
She suddenly burst into tears. "I… I saw… a river, a thatched house… and… Teacher, I feel as if I had done this hundreds of years ago!"
The teacher smiled gently: "The fate of reincarnation is not a burden, but a blessing. You have returned at this very moment, when the earth and people are changing."
She was ecstatic to remember a young girl who drank heavenly water every day, praying for blessings to purify her mind and body, to make fine tea, the essence of heaven and earth bestowed upon noble people...
***
The cell phone rang, Van Le calmly pressed the answer button:
- Sir - Binh's voice was excited - the tiny jar of ointment you gave me is really miraculous. My mother used it and felt her stomachache gradually lessen, her spirit became happy and light, and she started to sleep for a few hours at night. Before, my mother suffered from insomnia and even suffered from mild depression. Now she has great faith in that jar of ointment. It's a real diamond, sir. Please buy me ten more jars.
- It's too expensive, you can't buy it, it's a diamond! - Mr. Van Le said sternly.
- Oh, it's rare, isn't it, teacher? No matter how expensive it is, I'll buy it, as long as it helps my mother get well.
- Oh, I was just joking to test you. I'll introduce you to a mysterious woman who makes that tea pot. Maybe we'll find an interesting character for your future article.
- Thank you, teacher! I thank you very much.
- No need for reward, I just need you to go to that girl and write something useful, spread to the community. Her name is Le Hoa.
***
Le Hoa was born into a traditional rural family. Her father, a patriarchal man, always thought that girls were not worth much.
"What's the use of a girl studying so much? Writing letters to her boyfriend will ruin her. Be disciplined and then go to her husband's house, cook, and give birth to children!" Mr. Bay often admonished her whenever she mentioned studying. "A woman is just a machine to help the family maintain its lineage. Her value lies in giving birth to sons and serving her husband and children. Taking care of the house and the fields is your duty! Studying a lot and knowing a lot is a burden, women cannot bear it."
Le Hoa has a stubborn nature from thousands of years ago, not resigned. She still reads books, learns about herbs, about tea. Every word her father says is like a knife cutting into her heart, but also strengthens her will. She takes advantage of the time after doing farm work and housework to research tea. Every minute is a seed, sowing in her heart many wonderful things about a magical drink. She whispers to herself: "The value of a person does not lie in gender, but in dedication and a kind soul. I will find a magical drink that helps people purify...".
But when she reached marriageable age, her father quickly married her off to a traditional family. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Truyen, had endured her whole life, always advising her to "be patient and sacrifice for her husband's family".
"My dear, as a daughter-in-law, you must know how to be humble. The husband is the sky, the child is the earth, and the woman is a floating thing. In everything, you must put your husband's interests first," Mrs. Truyen said. "The daughter-in-law must take care of all the big and small things in the house, take care of them, go to bed after her husband, eat last but finish first to clean up, wake up early before the rooster crows, and don't let bad rumors reach the neighbors. Now, don't use the name Le Hoa anymore, but this family will call you by your husband's name, Khang."
"My name is still Le Hoa!" - she exclaimed firmly.
"That's the village custom, you have to follow it. Don't talk too much!" - the mother-in-law concluded. And from then on, whenever she wanted something from her, she would ask "Where is Khang's wife?".
***
With extraordinary wisdom and patience, Le Hoa began her journey of change. She used Muc Nhan tea as a bridge. She offered tea to her parents-in-law and husband whenever they were tired and stressed. The pure aroma and gentle taste of tea gradually penetrated their souls. Khang - her husband, initially followed the family's way of thinking, wanting her to be submissive. But every time he was angry, she made him tea. Gradually, he realized the peace that tea brought.
And then her husband's family also changed. Her mother-in-law began to look at her differently.
"My child," Mrs. Truyen said to her one morning, when she saw her carefully selecting each tea bud, "I think what you are doing is very meaningful. Don't pay attention to what people say. Just go your own way, as long as your mind is clear and what you do is useful."
The change from her family was a great motivation for Le Hoa. She knew that her mission was not only to make tea, but also to enlighten the community, to help people escape from prejudices and the burdens of life to find peace. She was considered the "Tea Lord", the one who brought the flavor of a thousand years, and the light of wisdom and compassion, lighting the flame of peace in every person.
***
After influencing her family, Le Hoa turned her gaze to the community. She organized intimate tea parties under the shade of ancient trees at the village entrance, or in a cozy stilt house. At first, many people came out of curiosity because they heard her tea was "very good", but gradually, they were attracted by her silence and her sincere, wise words.
"Ladies, Le Hoa's tea is so special! Drinking it makes me feel light and my mind relaxed!" Mrs. Hai, who is often worried, said while rubbing her belly.
Le Hoa smiled and poured more tea: "Peace is not the absence of storms, but keeping your mind unmoved in the midst of the storm. This tea helps purify the body, and makes us listen to ourselves, washing away all distracting thoughts."
While serving tea, she told stories about the origin of tea, the benefits of each herb, and more importantly, she incorporated life philosophies. She talked about letting go of attachments, cherishing each present moment, and transforming suffering into happiness. Her words, imbued with life experiences and memories of past lives, were like cool drops of dew that watered the dry souls of the hard-working people.
She plans to create a community where each individual can find peace of mind, spiritual independence, and live a life of complete happiness, free from prejudice or fear. She wants Muc Nhan tea to go beyond a product, to become a symbol of healing and awakening, a bridge between people and nature, humanity and eternal values.
She dreamed of building the Khai Tam Tea Ceremony right at the legendary Le Hoa wharf, where people could come to learn, practice and find peace. It would be a place where tradition and modernity, traditional medicine and modern psychology intersect, all revolving around a cup of pure tea. She wanted to turn the war-torn place into a place to nurture life and enlighten generations.
With the wisdom honed through many lifetimes and the compassionate soul of a hidden princess, Le Hoa is gradually turning her dream into reality.
***
Today Le Hoa welcomed guests to her home. Binh and her mother had become close acquaintances. After Binh’s mother recovered from her intestinal disease thanks to tea extract, she loved tea extract so much that she talked about this drink that was better than diamonds for her health wherever she went. For Mrs. Ha, it was a miracle in everyday life.
- Hoa, you are so lucky! - Mrs. Ha said - you gave me tea, you gave me a blessing. I don't know how to repay you.
- You have already paid me back by drinking tea and living a happy and healthy life - Hoa said.
- You are truly a heavenly being. Today, I sincerely invite you to visit my home in the countryside. It is a small token of my affection, but I don't know how else to repay you.
- Where are you from?
- Phu Tho, my dear, my family has a very large garden, and it's cool because it's near the river, the place our ancestors used to call Le Hoa Pass, like your name...
- Oh my god! - Le Hoa exclaimed and froze. A series of images flashed through her mind as if struck by lightning.
- Your house is at Le Hoa pass? - she whispered - I want to go there right away...
The car took them back to the ancient land, where the sacred river wharf was…
She stepped out of the car, her feet touching the legendary Le Hoa wharf. A warm current ran through her body, the thousand-year-old memories suddenly came back clearly, no longer a hazy mist. She recognized Muc Nhan's old house, the familiar roads, and especially the ancient tea tree on the mountain top, where the famous doctor's soul was waiting. She understood that this return was a reunion of fate from a previous life, where she would lay the first brick for Khai Tam Tea Ceremony, making the "medicine of the world" appear, lighting the flame of peace for everyone on the sacred land of a thousand years ago.
The fifth Living Well Writing Contest was held to encourage people to write about noble actions that have helped individuals or communities. This year, the contest focused on praising individuals or groups that have performed acts of kindness, bringing hope to those in difficult circumstances.
The highlight is the new environmental award category, honoring works that inspire and encourage action for a green, clean living environment. Through this, the Organizing Committee hopes to raise public awareness in protecting the planet for future generations.
The contest has diverse categories and prize structure, including:
Article categories: Journalism, reportage, notes or short stories, no more than 1,600 words for articles and 2,500 words for short stories.
Articles, reports, notes:
- 1 first prize: 30,000,000 VND
- 2 second prizes: 15,000,000 VND
- 3 third prizes: 10,000,000 VND
- 5 consolation prizes: 3,000,000 VND
Short story:
- 1 first prize: 30,000,000 VND
- 1 second prize: 20,000,000 VND
- 2 third prizes: 10,000,000 VND
- 4 consolation prizes: 5,000,000 VND
Photo category: Submit a photo series of at least 5 photos related to volunteer activities or environmental protection, along with the name of the photo series and a short description.
- 1 first prize: 10,000,000 VND
- 1 second prize: 5,000,000 VND
- 1 third prize: 3,000,000 VND
- 5 consolation prizes: 2,000,000 VND
Most Popular Prize: 5,000,000 VND
Prize for Excellent Essay on Environmental Topic: 5,000,000 VND
Honored Character Award: 30,000,000 VND
The deadline for submissions is October 16, 2025. The works will be evaluated through the preliminary and final rounds with the participation of a jury of famous names. The organizing committee will announce the list of winners on the "Beautiful Life" page. See detailed rules at thanhnien.vn .
Organizing Committee of the Beautiful Living Contest
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chua-che-truyen-ngan-du-thi-cua-kieu-bich-hau-185250914204245388.htm
Comment (0)