Standing out in vibrant colors amid the Northeastern mountains and forests, the mural village in Pò Hèn Hamlet near the border delights Quang Ninh tourists with its large, highly vivid wall paintings.
Quang Ninh Travel: Impressed by the Mural Village on the Border
After the 1979 border war, 15 Dao households from the Tằng clan came here and established a new hamlet in Pò Hèn Hamlet, now known as Đặng Clan Hamlet. It is perhaps called Đặng Clan Hamlet because the pronunciation of Tằng and Đặng is quite similar.
Đặng Clan Hamlet. Photo: VnExpress.
A corner of the mural village in Đặng Clan Hamlet. Photo: Lã Nghĩa Hiếu/Thanh Niên Newspaper.
In 2016, Móng Cái City developed Hải Sơn Commune into a community tourism destination. As a result, buffalo and cattle sheds were moved away from the houses to maintain hygiene throughout the hamlet. In addition, to create a distinctive highlight, local households were encouraged to agree to have murals painted, creating a mural village.
The houses take on a fresh look. Photo: VnExpress.
Under the hands of talented artists, weathered concrete walls have been transformed into exceptionally beautiful and vivid paintings depicting the people and life of the border region, helping attract more Quang Ninh tourists to the Pò Hèn border area of Móng Cái.
Photo: VOV.
Paintings depicting the lives of border residents. Photo: Environment Magazine.
Photo: VOV.
The themes of the murals include harvest days in Dao villages; a green frog; villages with terraced fields; and colorful natural scenes that add beauty to the hamlet. Many other paintings portray the lives of working people in the border region, helping visitors better understand the local culture and identity.
The frog painting is one of the hamlet's famous works. Photo: VOV.
Photo: VOV.
Photo: VOV.
Photo: Quang Minh.
More than 90% of the residents in Đặng Clan Hamlet are Dao people, and local authorities spent nearly half a year visiting each household to persuade residents to agree to having the paintings created. At first, hamlet officials set an example, and afterward, when everyone saw how beautiful the paintings were, more and more people gradually agreed.
Photo: Quang Minh.
Apart from farming and working in the upland fields, local residents have almost no other occupations. Renovating the hamlet has helped the community learn how to provide tourism services and earn additional income. Many residents also raise giũi (forest rats) and wild boars, and sell yellow tea flowers to meet the needs of visitors from afar.
Photo: VOV.
Quang Ninh Travel, in Pò Hèn, visitors can not only hear poignant stories from the 1979 border war at Pò Hèn Border Guard Station, but also admire the mural village and discover the lives of local residents.
Photo: Quang Minh.
In the past, very few tourists visited either Đặng Clan Hamlet or Pò Hèn Hamlet, but since the mural village was developed for community tourism, the face of the hamlet has turned a new page.
Photo: VOV.
Terraced fields in the Northeast. Photo: VnExpress.
Besides the mural village, visitors can also explore Cao Lan Waterfall, Tràng Vinh River, Pò Hèn Border Gate, and the Pò Hèn Martyrs' Memorial… They can enjoy stream fish, black Muscovy duck, or cà sáy, and buy local specialties such as yellow tea flowers, khâu nhục, black-glutinous-rice bánh chưng, brocade products, and more…
Photo: VTC News.
Alongside the more familiar destinations, Quang Ninh travel should include a visit to Đặng Clan Hamlet in Pò Hèn Hamlet, Móng Cái City, to learn more about the nature and people of this Northeastern border region. And don't forget to check out the latest articles on the iVIVU blog for a wonderful holiday!
