48 hours in Hoa Binh

Hoa Binh has many scenic spots, and you can visit them multiple times along different routes and have different experiences.

Hoa Binh borders Hanoi and serves as a gateway to popular tourist destinations in the northern mountainous region. In recent years, Hoa Binh has become a popular weekend getaway for tourists from the capital, with famous landmarks such as Mai Chau, Kim Boi, Thung Nai, and the Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Power Plant.

Hoa Binh boasts diverse landscapes, including rivers, lakes, mineral springs, national parks, and ethnic cultures. It also has many resorts, catering to the growing trend of relaxation, wellness, and sports tourism. This 48-hour itinerary was advised by Mr. Hong Thang, who works at a travel company, and shared with a VnExpress reporter in Kim Boi district and surrounding areas.

Day 1

Morning and noon

Have breakfast in Hanoi, travel along Thang Long Boulevard (Lang - Hoa Lac Expressway), continue through Xuan Mai and to Cuoi Ha commune in Kim Boi district, then trek Dai Bang mountain.

View of Kim Boi from Dai Bang peak. Photo: Linh Huong

Eagle Mountain is located about 75km from Hanoi. While not yet widely known on Vietnam's tourist map, it has attracted many visitors. The name Eagle Mountain comes from the fact that locals often see eagles when standing on the summit.

"The trekking route is about 8 km long, not difficult to climb because the slope is gentle, the highest peak is about 800 m above sea level, and there are many beautiful sights along the way to enjoy while climbing," Thang said.

Reaching the summit around midday, visitors can admire the Kim Boi region with its interwoven mountain ranges, layered to create a beautiful landscape. After taking photos and resting, visitors will descend and have a meal at an open area about 15 minutes from the summit. Depending on their needs, visitors can bring their own food and drinks, order food from locals at the foot of the mountain, or choose a package tour.

Lunch with grilled pork and chicken. Photo: Linh Huong

Evening

Descending the mountain, visitors travel to a resort located about 5 km from the foot of Dai Bang Mountain to bathe in hot springs and stay overnight. Additionally, within a 10 km radius of the mountain, there are several other resorts with good services and on-site recreational activities.

For dinner, try some of Hoa Binh's signature dishes such as bamboo-cooked rice, grilled chicken, wild boar meat, grilled fish, upland sticky rice, and wild vegetables at restaurants around or inside the resort. Some recommended places: Hoa Qua Son, Hung Van, Am Thuc Viet, Son Hanh Quan.

Day 2

Morning and noon

Relax at the resort after a busy day and enjoy a late breakfast. The area has fresh air, and guests can "slow down" with activities such as massage, sauna, reading, listening to music, and taking walks.

Around 10 am, we left the resort and visited Cuu Thac Tu Son, located about 30km from the resort via provincial road DT128 and about 20km from the center of Hoa Binh city.

A waterfall at Cuu Thac Tu Son. Photo: S-Travel

Known as the "foremost scenic spot" of the Muong region, Cuu Thac Tu Son is surrounded by the natural beauty of mountains and forests. It is a series of nine waterfalls with a diverse ecosystem, clear blue water, and a cool climate.

"If you come here in the summer, you can swim to your heart's content," Thang said.

On the road from Hoa Binh to Hanoi, one of the must-try dishes is crab hot pot. The restaurant is located around Kilometer 1 of the Ho Chi Minh Highway, near the intersection of Xuan Mai and Thang Long Boulevard.

Additionally, several restaurants offer this dish: Khong Ten, Phu Binh, Thanh Vu, Nguyen Gia, La Vong, with Khong Ten being the most popular. "This is a restaurant that's always crowded but offers fast service and quality food."

Dishes that tourists can choose from include sour fish hot pot, grilled chicken, steamed chicken, fried chicken with fish sauce, and various types of sticky rice such as cassava sticky rice and plain sticky rice with scallions and lard.

A hot pot meal in Hoa Lac. Photo: Crab hot pot.

VnExpress

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