The Hidden Gem of Vietnam

by Harry Hartanto (Indonesia)

I didn't expect to find Vietnam

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Back in July 2019, I was exploring Vietnam on my own. I have it all planned but haven't booked any place to stay, in the other words, I just make a guidance for myself about places that I want to visit. Since I have a dream to become travel photographer, I wish I could find any interesting places to shoot. I started to explore Vietnam from south to north, so the plan was to start from Ho Chi Minh, Danang, Hoi An, Hanoi and Halong Bay, however, I changed my direction when I was at Hoi An. I saw this travel book about Vietnam which published by Lonely Planet. I noticed the book cover is a person surrounded by red things, which I believed that time it was red plants. When I wanted to read it, I realized the language is not in English, I assume it is in French, so I couldn't get the location of it. I searched over the internet with "red plants in Vietnam" as the keywords. The results were mixed between the real red plants and the picture of it. I read many articles over the internet, but seem couldn't find the exact location, only the name of the village, Quang Phu Cau. it is located on the outskirts of Hanoi, thus I went to Hanoi and rent a motorbike to go to that place. It was about one and a half hour or more from Hanoi to reached that place. It was empty. I only found some small houses, stores and the place pretty desolated. I was looking to a field, because I was still believed it's a plant but I can't find it other than paddy fields. I was like kinda hopeless and it was really hot as I was there around noon and the sun blazingly shine that time. I decided to searched over the alleyways to ensure I didn't miss anything in that place. Then I found this courtyard it was held with a tall fence, at first I didn't notice if they are dyeing some bunch of sticks with red color. That moment I knew I was wrong, this is what I have been looking for! Not red plants, but red Incense Sticks! I was bewildered because I have been through this places like 2-3 times, but I just missed it. I laughed to myself to be in that absurd situation. I parked my bike, and slowly approached the locals who were working there. There were 3 women wearing bamboo hat and covered by cloth from head to toe and I impressed by them because of their heat tolerance, probably they already get used to it. I asked them with the gesture of my hands, showing them my camera to get their permission to take a picture of them. In returned, they asked for some treat for a drink and I gladly to do that. Even though it was ridiculously hot, but I satisfied, I came back with great photos and absurd experience about that place. Some people might said or even locals might think this is an ordinary to visit but for me personally, this place have a specific place in my mind.