VinaCert in spring 2019 - Conquering the Northwest peaks (16/02/2019)

Crossing the journey of more than 1,200 km with the starting point from Hanoi - Sa Pa (Lao Cai) - Dien Bien - Moc Chau (Son La) - Hanoi, the members of the VinaCert family have proudly brought sovereignty  flag (given by Nam Yet Island soldiers) conquering the North-West roads of the country, contemplating the majestic beauty of the mountain ranges, poetic beauty of cloud-covered passes, terraced fields on the hillside and the looming stilt houses.

Sa Pa - Town in the fog

At the beginning of the spring trip from Hanoi Capital, VinaCert family members passed over 320km road to Sa Pa, a highland district of Lao Cai province. The weather was cold and the clouds were fanciful, making the whole town look like a charming painting.

At the end of the dinner, the members had the opportunity to explore and contemplate the nightlife of the town with rich activities, continue to enjoy the characterized rustic dishes processed by Indigenous people.

Flag of VinaCert on Phan-Xi-Pan peak

Early on February 12, when the fog was still closed, VinaCert family members hurriedly divided the groups, set out to conquer and explore the Phan-Xi-Pang (Fansipan) peak - a mountain is 3,143m high over the sea level. The persons that do not like the altitude came together to visit the town, discover and learn about the cultural characteristics of ethnic minorities, admired the charming poetic beauty of the town which was immersing in the fog, and went to the market to buy goods making from brocade fabric as a souvenir or a gift for relatives.

The grandeur of nature is also expressed in the length, height as well as the danger of O Quy Ho Pass. The pass is nearly 50km long and holds the record of being the longest pass in Vietnam. Pass of the National Highway 4D intersects Hoang Lien Son range, connecting Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces. This is also one of the 4 famous peaks of the Northwest region and these is divided as clear weather sub-regions : the fog is hidden in Lao Cai, and Lai Chau is warm sunshine.

VinaCert’s Members offering incense to the graves at the A1 Martyrs Cemetery

Crossing the road nearly 280km along Highway 4D and Highway 279, the VinaCert family came to Dien Bien Phu city (Dien Bien province). Here in the morning of February 13, the delegation proudly offered incense to express the gratitude to 644 soldiers who sacrificed in the Dien Bien Phu campaign.

At the large cemetery, there are only 4 graves are named which make sad everyone , these are the graves of heroes: Tran Can, To Vinh Dien, Be Van Dan and Phan Dinh Giot. The rest are all anonymous martyrs.

In the grateful speech of the Martyrs Heros, Chairman Nguyen Huu Dzung proudly expressed: "Today, the VinaCert brought here the sovereignty flag of the soldiers of Truong Sa island to give the VinaCert youths with a message to the soldiers: Vietnamese next generations will always take the example of the Hero's sacrifices to make their determination to build and protect Vietnam more and more beautiful, do not forget for the sacrifice of the soldiers This country, this people will forever and forever remember and be grateful for the noble sacrifice of the soldiers ”.

 “Standing in front of the fallen heroes, we feel deep sorrow and proud that we were born and raised in a country with the tradition of building and protecting the country throughout the nation's long history. We must think ourselves more responsible for the life of this society. We cannot ingnore to the contradictions of this life and must strive harder in labor, study, improve our knowledge to contribute our small part in the construction of prosperous and worthy country, worthy of sacrifice and fulfill the desires of martyrs heroes when living. Standing here at this time, how much we love this life and homeland ... ”- Chairman of the Board reminded to VinaCert members.

Visiting the center of the French military base in Dien Bien Phu

The mood of emotion has not yet stopped in a fierce surge when the images of the fierce battle in the past were re-enacted through a precious documentary film; witnessed the artifacts that were attached to the Vietnamese army and people to make “the famous victory for five continents, shaking the earth". All of these objects are being kept and displayed at the Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum.

After visiting the center of the French Military base group at Dien Bien Phu (Docat tunnel area), witnessing and comparing with the correlation of resources, each member of VinaCert family has surged pride, proud of the heroic historical tradition of the Vietnamese nation; admire the sharp thinking and determination of General Vo Nguyen Giap when deciding to change the plan of Dien Bien Phu campaign,etc.

... Learning about the life and customs of Man villagers

.... Joinning the fun Water volleyball game

At the yard of Man's cultural house, Thanh Nua commune (Dien Bien district) on the afternoon of February 13, members of VinaCert family had a chance to exchange culture with local people and join fun team building game with Water volleyball. The game has been applied for 3 consecutive years but still creates the excitement because the game is applied different competition rules every year.

...Sap dancing

… and taking part in the circle of unity at Man village, Thanh Nua commune

After finishing the team building with the victory of Group 7, the members of VinaCert had a meaningful evening and cultural exchanges with the Man and Thanh Nua village's performance team. The members listened songs, watched the dance of the new season, the dance of Sap, the dance and the songs, enjoying the very typical dishes of the Thai people in the Northwest.

Visitting Muong Phang historical monument

On the morning of February 14, on the way to Moc Chau (Son La), the VinaCert family visited the headquarter of Dien Bien Phu campaign at Muong Phang relic site - a famous historical place in Dien Bien province and where General Vo Nguyen Giap directed the construction of the military headquarter - the Command Department of Dien Bien Phu campaign in 1954.

Farewell to Dien Bien, bid farewell to the thousands of far and wide races with cloud-covered passes, the white flowers, the magnificent terraced fields and the very specific cultural characteristics of H'Mong and Thai people ... The VinaCert family moved to Moc Chau steppe, immersed in the green tea hills, strawberry farms, dairy farms, ... to be more proud to know that there are many farms where has applied and obtained VietGAP certification of VinaCert.

VinaCert family taking  souvenir photograph

In the afternoon of February 15, 2019, the VinaCert family arrived in Hanoi, ending the journey of exploring and conquering the peaks of the Northwest with a lot of impressions. Che Lan Vien's poetry suddenly seemed to be reminded:

“…Nhớ bản sương giăng, nhớ đèo mây phủ

Nơi nào qua, lòng lại chẳng yêu thương?

Khi ta ở, chỉ là nơi đất ở

Khi ta đi, đất đã hoá tâm hồn!”…