A Camping Night at Dong Xanh Valley- Da Nang

A Trip with someone who helped me get to know Hive

I got to know the Hive community thanks to a sister @trangbaby. I first met her on a motorbike tour from Da Nang to Mang Den in Dak Nong Province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam on the occasion of the new year 2021. We both connected very well because have so many common interests: travel, mountain climbing, and outdoor activities. Through the stories she told me, I could feel the energy of an independent and strong woman. The love of life and positive thoughts from her inspire me and the people around her. After that trip, she and I still kept in touch and sometimes went hiking, camping, and kayaking a few more times later. One day in April, I invited her to go hiking and camping for 2 people on the weekend. She agreed immediately because I was thinking that a person who has just known a strange boy and will agree to camp overnight in a remote place. Haha, I thought she would probably think carefully about my recommendation.

On the date of the appointment, my sister and I moved together on my motorbike, because there will be a gravel road at the edge of the forest for acacia transport trucks when the mining season comes. The place I chose was Dong Xanh lake - Dong Nghe on the outskirts of Da Nang city about 35km far from the city's center and next to the territory of Quang Nam province. This is Da Nang's largest irrigation reservoir serving the needs of people's livelihood and agriculture (located at coordinates 15,9548397, 108.0694242. The landscape) In my opinion, the place is the most beautiful and best in the city's lakes. Surrounded by mountains, with half of the forest area for industrial tree exploitation and the rest is primary forest. The climate is cool and the area is tranquil. There are about 2.3 clean agricultural farms near the lake that provide vegetables for the city and we can ask for permission to visit.

In the previous post, I also got mentioned a bit about this lake. Behind the lake is a wide and beautiful valley, and it's also the place where the Da Nang sailing club practices and sail to prepare for the contest if anytime needed, and the local people inside are allowed to use boats to move around the area. So if you choose to take a boat, you can ask the local to pick you up from the other side of the lake. There is another way is, when dry season the water isn't high, we often go along the lakeside to cross a large rocky beach, then walk or trek across the forest. My sister and I went at the end of April, the water was still very high, so we decided to get to the valley by second hiking through a few acacia hills. Motorcycles can only go a short distance if they drive well, then leave the car to wade through a shallow stream, go around the hills (it takes about 45 minutes- mild fitness level). We left at 3 pm with light luggage: tents, personal backpacks, bread, candies, fruits, drinking water. Pre-agreed not to cook because I was planning to camp at that location deep in the valley, from the previous cycling I knew people didn't like it for fear of forest fires. But if it's near the lake, it's fine, and we both want to take the time to experience and relax with the scenery so we don't bring complicated cooking utensils and foods. The weather that day was quite hot because the newly planted acacia trees did not have much shade, but sometimes the road near the edge of the lake was cooler thanks to the gentle breezes on the lake.

After crossing all the hills we saw a small house next to it and walked down to check if there were anyone in the house 😃. The house was previously inhabited but is now partially dilapidated and abandoned, next to the house there are many fruit trees such as jackfruit, mango, and lemon. Going a little further, from a distance, I saw a woman sitting under a tree next to a small house watching us coming. When we got there, we talked to the middle-aged lady and had a friendly conversation. She asked us where we were going and we asked some questions about the lives of the households living in the area and some local things. She was very friendly and amiable, she said that because few people living here, that's why she was very excited to see someone to visiting the valley (scattered on both sides of the mountain, there are only 6 families cultivating and keeping forests, making a living with the forest and capturing the forest. fish in the lake). When she knew we wanted to camp out on the inner lawn, she told us to camp right next to her house for convenience and if we needed water or food, electric lights, hammocks to rest. However, we prepared ourselves enough tents, food, and other supplies.

Saying goodbye to her, we continued to tour around and chose the most convenient, clean, and private location to set up the camp because there were cows grazing freely in that valley. A green lawn is spacious and surrounds the shallow canal connecting the lake, located in the middle of the valley basin, spectacular, and ensures quiet for the surrounding households. We're both thrilled. At that time around 17:30, it started to get dark. Together, they set up tents and equipment and talked for a while. In the evening, we talked together, watched the stars, listened to the sounds of the mountains, insects, breathed in the fresh strange air. Everything was great, met our expectations and left us in a good mood. It was a relaxing and great weekend. Through the stories we shared together, we had time to understand each other better and feel better to live the life that we ourselves enjoying at the moment. This place was completely free of light pollution, only a dark night, a dim starry sky, warm yellow led lights, music without lyrics, and a cool atmosphere. Before going to sleep, Trang asked to move the tent close to hers because she was a bit scared of the darkness haha. I teased her: the only fear you should be afraid of is the person lying in the tent next to you. 🤣

We slept so well that night. I got up quite early, walked around the canal, and waited for dawn. When the first warm rays of sunlight passed over the low hill to the East, it was a wonderful sight as the rays reflected in the dew drops on the grass. I was so happy and of course, also took some artistic pictures. It's a pity that my old phone can't take the good pictures as true and beautiful as we could see in person. Waking Trang up then we explored around and enjoy the fresh atmosphere. The cows were grazing on the other side of the mountain like a picture of peaceful countryside. They were a bit scared at first, so they were careful to stay away. When they saw us just sitting on a nearby rock looking at them, they were no longer afraid and continued to calmly enjoy the yummy young grass. We enjoyed ourselves a lot and immersed ourselves in the space before heading home. What a wonderful morning. We couldn't complain anymore.

Trang first time visit to this place, and she was very excited and happy. Even though it was my 5th time here, I've never got bored, still feel the new and old beauties, I love this life too much?

At about 8:00 a.m. the sun was already high, we packed up our things and went into her house to ask her to cook breakfast (the local woman we met yesterday). Fortunately, she knew that we were hungry and prepared much food. She treated us with steamed rice, braised meat, and fried eggs. They were very tasty and also because of her hospitality we ate very well. After eating, she poured hot tea from fresh leaves picked on the hill to invited us to enjoy. There were 2 hammocks connecting the pillars and the tree stumps were very cool, I was full, so I laid down, relaxed, and had a chat with the house owner. Even though I wanted to stay longer, I had to say goodbye to her and gave the woman some tips as she treated us so thoughtfully about our breakfast and the interesting stories she told. More than 10 o'clock we returned to the old road, the sun was harsh on the way back. We had to rest for a few intervals to regain our strength. We reached the city at 12 noon, had lunch together, then said goodbye to each other.

We will meet some disadvantages during the trips, the trip is still going well as long as you are comfortable, and not afraid to challenge the new things. They are all valuable and meaningful memories.

Do you have any ideas for a relaxing weekend?

Thank you for checking my article.