Clear skylight in the middle of the peaceful land

From above, Ao Ba Om looks like a vast skylight. The water reflects the sunlight and sparkles like a luminous mirror. The blue sky is hidden in the lake, clouds chase each other on the water surface. I have never seen clouds so close to me, just a touch away.

Next to Ba Om pond is Ang pagoda, built 10 centuries ago. Photo: Xuyen Vo

This historical and cultural relic in the "land of the good people" still retains its original beauty, unchanged from before, a rare thing compared to places with many tourists. Coming here, visitors can freely enjoy the breeze pushing the cool water vapor from the lake reflecting the clouds and sky, letting their minds fly under the canopy of ancient trees over a hundred years old that still protect the most unique "sky well" of Tra Vinh day and night.

A place name has up to 10 different versions.

Ao Ba Om (also known as Ao Vuong because of its square shape) is considered the most special landscape in Tra Vinh, next to a series of pagodas with unique ancient architecture typical of the Khmer people. Not only famous for the harmonious green landscape of the tall, shady old trees, both like a solid wall protecting the four sides of the pond and like a green coat always full of vitality; Ao Ba Om is also known for its unique birth legend and 10 strange oral versions.

In a pond digging competition between men and women of the ancient Khmer, Ba Om was the one who used her clever strategy to guide the women to win the men's group. The most beautiful pond in the land was named after her as a way to remember her. Later versions are also oral stories with positive meanings, reflecting the richness and diversity of the folk culture of this place.

Clear skylight in the middle of the peaceful land of Tra Vinh

The day I arrived, the lotus nestled beside the lake had just started budding. My friend smiled gently, perhaps the lotus was still shy, there were many visitors these days, making a corner of the lake bustling. Groups of children competed to climb up the giant roots of the old oil trees and star trees on the lake shore. The children's voices, the jingling of ice cream carts, shaved ice syrup, cotton candy temporarily placed under a tree mixed with the rustling of leaves above.

My family was invited to arrange a trip back to the pond in the 10th lunar month. On October nights, the surface of the pond sparkled with hundreds of colorful lanterns released into the sky to pray for a bountiful harvest, accompanied by the gentle singing of Du Ke Dat by the Khmer people. The singing of the people or the whispering of the pond gently shook the earth and sky, singing a passionate, soulful lullaby. Ba Om Pond was like a witness connecting people with the earth and sky, an outstretched arm to preserve the beautiful folk culture of the people here.

Tra Vinh is the land of Southern Buddhism. The Khmer pagodas hidden in the cool, peaceful green canopy of trees are the highlight of this land full of cultural and folk beliefs. Ang Pagoda, located next to the pond, is also one of the famous pagodas of Tra Vinh, built more than 10 centuries ago. The elaborate carvings, the brilliant colors of the walls, the ancient pagoda roof, the huts for monks to study and meditate... are all sheltered by the canopy of tall brown poplar trees above.

Perhaps we will soon return to Tra Vinh, to visit the houses with buffalo pens smelling of straw; to visit the black dogs lying leisurely from the house to the alley, from the alley to the temple yard, not barking once, just quietly watching passersby, listening to the sutras.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/gieng-troi-trong-vat-giua-xu-hien-3304903.html