Nam E stream in Long He commune.

For the Thai people, water has always played a vital role in daily life and agricultural production. Since ancient times, communities have chosen to settle near reliable water sources. A well-known Thai saying goes: “Muong, phai, lai, lin, loc, con.” In this traditional irrigation system, muong refers to canals, phai to dams, lai to aqueducts, lin to field water distribution networks, loc to water-lifting devices, and con to waterwheels powered by natural water flow. Together, these elements form the foundation of agricultural water management.

Following the course of the Nam E stream, dozens of waterwheels can be seen amid the tranquil landscape. Built mainly from locally available bamboo and other natural materials, each wheel reflects generations of craftsmanship and experience. Driven by the force of the flowing water, the wheels rotate continuously, lifting water from the stream into wooden troughs before it flows through a network of small canals to irrigate nearby rice fields.

Water flows through bamboo troughs from the waterwheels to irrigate the rice fields. 

Waterwheels have been an inseparable part of local life for generations, and few residents can recall exactly when they first appeared. Ca Thi Ngoan, a resident of Nong Lanh hamlet in Long He commune, said: “I have seen these waterwheels since I was a child. Back then, almost every family with fields near the stream knew how to build one. Thanks to the waterwheels, our fields always had sufficient water.”

A Thai woman stands beside the traditional waterwheels. 

According to her, constructing a sturdy waterwheel requires carefully selecting mature bamboo with high durability. Each bamboo strip is split, shaped and assembled into a large wheel frame. Bamboo tubes attached around the rim act as scoops to lift water. The entire system operates solely on the power of flowing water, requiring neither electricity nor fuel. In the past, the wheels were bound together entirely with rattan and bamboo ties. Today, to improve durability during the flood season, some residents reinforce them with steel wire or bearings, while preserving their traditional design and operating principles.

Waterwheels in Nong Lanh hamlet, Long He commune, lift water from the stream to irrigate rice paddies. 

Ngoan added that severe floods occasionally sweep away the structures overnight. “But villagers always come together to rebuild them, not only to bring water to the fields but also to ensure future generations understand the skills of their ancestors and appreciate the cultural values of our people,” she said.

The traditional waterwheel remains one of the most distinctive cultural symbols of the Thai ethnic community that deserves preservation. Lo Van Tuong, Secretary of the Long He Youth Union, said local youth regularly document the waterwheels and surrounding landscapes through photographs and short videos shared on social media platforms. The initiative helps educate younger generations about local traditions while promoting their homeland's image, attracting visitors and supporting the development of community-based tourism.

The Thai ethnic community in Long He commune has long been closely connected to wet-rice cultivation.

Today, thanks to government investment, irrigation infrastructure in Long He commune has been significantly improved. Pham Van Cau, Vice Chairman of the communal People's Committee, said that although modern irrigation systems largely meet agricultural production needs, local residents continue to maintain and preserve the traditional waterwheels, which contribute to the area's distinctive landscape and represent a cultural asset worthy of being protected and promoted.

Over the years, the waterwheels along the Nam E stream have continued their steady rotation, nourishing the fields while helping preserve the unique cultural identity of the Thai ethnic community in Long He commune.