At an elevation of 2,005 meters, the forest rhododendron population grows on the top of K'Lang (Abanh 2 village, Tr'hy commune, Tay Giang district, Quang Nam). This forest is regarded as a treasure by the Co Tu people and is one of Vietnam's few remaining virgin rhododendron forests.

More than 430 hundred-year-old rhododendron trees have been designated as Vietnamese heritage trees in this area. Rhododendrons are classified into two types: broadleaf and coniferous. They live alternately, with no room for other plants.

Azaleas bloom densely on mountain slopes beginning in February, providing a change of scenery. Azaleas range in color from white to pink, purple, and red.

The forest ecosystem is intact because it has not been heavily impacted by humans. Because the trunks here are twisted together, the Co Tu call it a ghost forest.

Rhododendron stems have moss carpets that change color from green to dark green to yellow.

There is only the green color of moss everywhere.

Mr. Tran Trung Kien (42 years old, Hanoi) and his friends trekked for nearly 7 hours to the top of Klang. "I felt as if I were in a surreal world. Standing above the moss feels smooth and slightly bouncy, almost like springs. The sun skewered through the forest canopy, bringing with it the scent of dew and the distinct smell of grass and trees. This landscape is not found in all forests "Trung Kien spoke up.

He rewarded himself by sitting still in the sun for a few moments. Kien refers to this as "forest bathing," which is a Japanese term that means going to the forest to restore one's soul and health.

There is a small valley in the middle of the forest where a few Co Tu households live; they regard forest protection as a way of life, taking only what they need from the forest on a daily basis.

Along with the Lim and Po Mu forests, the rhododendron forest is one of the destinations that the Tay Giang district government is gradually exploiting by welcoming tourists, primarily for trekking activities.

"I believe this location has the potential to become a popular tourist destination in central Vietnam. However, the exploitation of tourism, which must be linked to forest protection, remains our primary concern. As a result, the activities of attracting visitors and developing tourism products continue to be carried out in stages "Mr. PLênh, a Tay Giang district Culture Department officer, stated.

Source: Thanh Thúy - Trần Trung Kiên

This forest is about 450 hectares wide and is located about 40 kilometers west of Tay Giang district's center, on the territory of two communes, Tr'hy and Axan. People only discovered the "Kingdom of Po Mu" in 2010 due to its remote location in the deep forest. Since then, the indigenous people have strictly protected this "unique" forest, ensuring that it has remained intact for some time.

Hundreds of old trees stood in the middle of the storm, unmoving. The largest tree in the forest is over 50m tall and up to 3m in diameter, with a strange root shape that about 6-7 people can hug. Đình Làng tree, nearly 4m in diameter and more than 20m high; and hundreds of trees up to several hundred years old such as Elephant tree, Bear tree, Dragon, Five Tiger tree, Rhino tree, Mother tree, Longevity tree... are the results of generations of Co Tu compatriots' preservation process on the land of the Great Thousand Truong Son.

Since ancient times, the Co Tu people of Tay Giang, Quang Nam province's high mountainous district, have celebrated thanksgiving for forests, mountains, rivers, streams, trees, crops, or thanks to the gods, Giàng. There are forests, people, and various animals and plants that live in the mind.

Every New Year, when flowers bloom throughout the forest, birds sing on the dais, the trees have been cleared, and the Co Tu ethnic minority people give thanks to the forest, it has become customary. Boys and girls in the village rotate rhythmically in the vast space of the mountains and forests, blending with the sound of gongs and traditional musical instruments as a prayer sent to the gods and ancestors by the Co Tu people. They believed that the majestic Trường Sơn mountains and forests, as well as Giàng and the gods, gave them the strength to overcome.

The Co Tu people believe that they must be responsible for the community, particularly for the preservation of culture. Village culture and forest-keeping culture are the two most important cultures here. The forest does not suffer if the village culture is lost, but it does suffer if the village culture is lost. The forest is kept intact, not "bleeding," thanks to the role of village elders in preserving and preserving the value of incense treaties and customary laws of the people.

The Co Tu people teach their children and grandchildren to be grateful and to care for the environment. Forests are a source of life and a safe haven for generations of villagers. Following the solemn forest thanksgiving ceremony, people joyfully danced to the new year to wish the new year a good harvest.

The Co Tu people's subconscious is deeply ingrained with a sense of forest protection and attachment to mountains and forests.

“Con chim trên trời cao cần rừng xanh bát ngát

Con cá dưới nguồn cần dòng nước trong veo?

Con người Cơ Tu cần mẹ rừng che chở

Cho dân làng ta sinh sôi nảy nở

Cho mùa màng ta luôn bội thu

Cho người Cơ Tu khắp muôn nơi mãi mãi trường tồn…”

"The bird in the sky requires a lush forest.

Is clear water required for the fish beneath the source?

The Co Tu people require the protection of the forest mother.

For our villagers to multiply

We always have a good crop harvest.

For the sake of the Cơ Tu everywhere..."

Source: Lê Hải Sơn