But when everyone stopped only when they reached Lung Cu flagpole – the northernmost symbol, we decided to reach milestone 428, the northernmost landmark of the country.
At Lung Cu flagpole, we contacted Mr. Vang – Chief of Police of Lung Cu commune to ask permission to go to the landmark, and ask someone to lead the way there. Mr. Vang asked Mr. Vu, a police officer of the commune, to guide us.
After lunch, everyone took a break to prepare to conquer the milestone.
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13h45: We start to leave.
To get to this sacred landmark, from Lung Cu flagpole, we ride motorbikes about 2km to a house and park the car there. Sending motorbikes, and unnecessary belongings, we started trekking.
The road from Lung Cu to the picturesque landmark, crammed into the rocky slopes are bright yellow chrysanthemums along the way. The majestic landscape began to appear before our eyes.
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The road is quite easy, because you only have to go downhill, so it’s less tiring. Along the way are the people’s mustard fields. The trail leads down to the zigzag landmark, winding around the hillside.
The horses collect firewood of the people. Looks like a horse but the appearance is ‘pretty’ like a mule.
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| Go a further distance, you will come to the corn field, which is already harvested. |
At this time, the group of members is quite far apart, proportional to each person’s endurance.
Through the cornfield about 300m, you will come to a fork. Everyone pay attention to the right road, because our group almost got lost there. Through that fork in my eyes is the feeling of victory overflowing in everyone’s heart.
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Although landmark 428 is not the northernmost point, it is the furthest landmark to the north of the country, this is the closest point to the northernmost point (information no one has reached that pole). The landmark is about 500m from Nho Que river along the way the crow flies. Nho Que River is a common river of Vietnam and China, so it is also the boundary of the two countries.
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| The whole group took pictures with Mr. Vu leading the way… |
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After taking pictures, checking in we started trekking upwards. Now the whole road is upside down. After walking for a while, everyone was “breathing fast, heart pounding, and legs shaking”. Some members of the group also had cramps.
When arriving at the place is 16:30, the time for both going and returning is about 3 hours. For those who are stronger, it can only take 2 hours.
Because of the remote location, the economic conditions of the people here are still very difficult. But they are full of humanity.
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| The innocent moment of a H’Mong baby. |
When we got there, we gave out candy to the children. Looking at the innocent and holy smiles of the children makes the previous fatigue disappear.
Landmark 428 is located in Xeo Lung village, Lung Cu commune. Although the milestone is small, it took more than 2 years to complete. Partly because of the facilities, the rugged and difficult terrain. There are only a dozen households of the Mong ethnic group living here. Thanks to the policies of Ha Giang’s leaders, people here confidently cling to the ground, turning those gray rocky slopes into lush fields of corn, potatoes and crops. And they themselves are like unofficial soldiers guarding each sacred land in the headland of the Fatherland.
Leaving milestone 428, in our hearts we can’t help but feel proud, and more confident in love of the Fatherland.