Bac Kan

Cascade of water between rocks and vegetation.

Waterfalls abound in Vietnam, probably a better
word here is cascades Continuing the tour northwards from Hà Nội, this page reaches the heart of the country that lies between the urban plains of the Red River to the south, and the mountainous lands of Hà Giang to the north. The province of Bắc Kạn has the full agricultural range of activities as befits its varied landscape, but ginger and rice are particularly conspicuous in this province. Rice needs high rainfall and that Vietnam certainly has. Rain and hills produce waterfalls, two modest ones are shown here, there are also pages on the Bản Giốc Cascades and waterfalls
in Đà Lạt. Looking down into a valley of fields, from above trees.

Looking down into a valley of fields, from above trees.

The steep hills offer visitors grand vistas as
they emerge from the passes to see
the patchwork of fields on
the flat valley floors
Cascade of water with helmeted man laying across bottom of picture.

Cascade of water with helmeted man laying across bottom of picture.

Right, enjoying
that first cascade Fields and house framed between trees.

Large flat plain with hills down to far side and houses at both sides.

A wider plain with the October harvest being collected Fields some with crops some harvested, workers.

Three more detailed photos of... Fields with distant workers.

...parts of the valley shown above Woman sitting with buffalo eating in fields of stubble.

The paddy having been gathered in, leads to the... Woman laying out sheaves, another woman walking.

Sheaves being laid out to dry near a winnowing tray ...next step - the winnowing of the sheaves Large woven mat, platter, boards resting at an angle against one side, two women.

Large woven mat, platter, boards resting at an angle against one side, two women.

The angled boards help the grain fall onto the tray... Two women washing clothes in stream at one side of the picture, another woman washing some way away.

Two women washing clothes in stream at one side of the picture, another woman washing some way away.

Washing clothes, in the country, is a highly social affair Woman hitting sheave against boards over mat.

...as the sheaves are beaten against it One woman sitting on stone in stream washing clothes.

Maybe this woman is a bit cut off from her neighbours Back to cascades - here in a deep and dark defile Waterfall entering pool, two figures along edge of pool.

Waterfall entering pool, two figures along edge of pool.

I have sore memories of the sharp stones on the bottom of this pool, the local (impromptu) guides knew better... Two figures perched at edge of steep waterfall.

Two figures perched at edge of steep waterfall.

...than try, and took to the sides, not keeping up proved an advantage; the steep slippery climb would have defeated me Two waterfalls entering pool, two figures at the top of one of these.

Two waterfalls entering pool, two figures at the top of one of these.

Triumphant Lower half of photo of a set of terraces viewed head on.

Many hillsides have meticulously terracing... Looking down at river running between hillsides.

...others allow nature her hand Treed hillside reed heads in foreground.

This steep hillside is a ginger field... Yard with covererd area in which there are sacks two men by motorbike.

Ginger trading yard Treed hillside reed heads in foreground.

...closer - the sprawling ginger plants Ginger Pile of ginger with sacks behind it.

Heaps of it Han standing beside sacks of ginger.

Sacks of it Small building with two double doors, motorbikes at each, advertising board with information about food.

Small cafe/restaurants like this abound, often remote, and all the more needing the ubiquitous satellite dish. Here, according to the sign, rice and noodles with eggs and pork are their fortes. Getting motorbikes out of the sun is more important than possible inappropriateness near the lunch table Han and buffalo reaching towards one another.

A remoter house with little but bananas - but centre stage,
a satellite dish Han and buffalo reaching towards one another.

A buffalo tries to gauge if this particular hand of friendship contains any food Buffalo face and horns occupying most of the photograph.

The eyes have it

Trailers...

The next Picture Posting page takes you to the northern part of Bắc Kạn Province.

The next page of the Mosaic Section is headed 'Broken Contact'.
Or go to the of the Mosaic Section. Monitors can keep the layout, which phones may need to discombobulate.

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Bắc Kạn - Ginger and Waterfalls Page four of the North from Hà Nội Collection

Bắc Kạn - Ginger and Waterfalls
Page four of the North from Hà Nội Collection