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| Lake Nui Coc has 108 islands of varying sizes, a microclimate with lower temperatures than the surrounding area, and a unique ecosystem. |
Potential and unfinished projects
Located at the gateway to the Viet Bac region, Thai Nguyen possesses natural resources that many localities envy. When the sun shines, a legendary green hue emerges from Lake Nui Coc, revealing 108 picturesque islands surrounded by majestic mountains and water.
Ba Be Lake is one of the world 's 20 most special freshwater lakes in need of protection. Ba Be National Park has been recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park and the world's 1,938th RAMSAR site. However, looking back over the past decade, the tourism landscape around the lake has been rather somber.
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| The show apartment for the Flamingo Maison 108 project by Nui Coc Lake has just been completed. |
In 2011, Lake Nui Coc caused a stir with its national tourism zone plan and 10 businesses registering nearly 10,000 billion VND in investment capital. However, projects such as the Truong Sinh Road eco-tourism and wellness center, the Dan - Lake Nui Coc urban road, and the international tourism, entertainment, and 5-star resort complex all fell into silence.
By 2016, the 15 trillion VND mega-project was expected to transform the area. However, once again, the lack of planned budget funding brought the project to a standstill.
Ba Be Lake is no better. At one time, it was called the "exchanging gold for tourism." Some businesses applied for tourism permits simply to legitimize mineral exploitation. Large-scale resorts remain only on paper.
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| Projects like Flamingo Maison 108 are breathing new, modern life into the Nui Coc lake area. |
Dr. Nguyen Viet Chuc, Vice Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Economic and Cultural Studies, commented: The idea of a "mountain lake paradise" is entirely based on scientific and practical grounds. However, if we only focus on drawing up grandiose projects without the capacity for implementation and without connecting the underlying heritage, then the potential will remain just potential.
Two key points, one driving force, one foundation
Unable to let the "sleeping princess" remain dormant in the deep forest, Thai Nguyen has resolutely implemented the strategy of "Two key areas, one driving force, one foundation." The two core areas are Lake Nui Coc and Lake Ba Be, with the goal of attracting large corporations to create high-class tourism products.
At Nui Coc Lake, the Tan Thai Golf Course, built to international standards with an investment of nearly 1,000 billion VND, has become a highlight. The 5-star Flamingo Maison 108 resort project is being urgently constructed, with a planned operational date in Q3/2027. Notably, Dai Phuc commune is becoming a promising "growth pole," with 12 projects currently underway, totaling over 5,375 billion VND in investment.
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| Ba Be Lake - the "green gem" of ASEAN natural heritage. |
The heritage integration axis is also operating smoothly. The province will link Lake Nui Coc with the Dinh Hoa Revolutionary Base, and Lake Ba Be with the Cho Don Revolutionary Base. Tourists will embark on a comprehensive journey: from luxurious waterfront resorts to cultural experiences in villages such as Ban Quyen and Khuon Tat...
According to Nguyen Chu Thu, Deputy Director of the Thai Nguyen Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism: "We are striving to diversify our products to include: ecological and resort tourism; cultural and historical tourism; tea culture; community tourism; agriculture; sports, exploration, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).
In this context, ecotourism and resort tourism will position and develop the brand "Paradise of mountain lake tourism". Tea culture tourism, a distinctive and symbolic product, offering experiences of tea production, tea-drinking art, festivals, and events related to tea, will create a broader and deeper experiential space for tourists.
Towards becoming a world-class ecotourism center.
At a recent conference discussing the strategy for linking tourism development in the Viet Bac war zone, Provincial Party Secretary Trinh Xuan Truong affirmed: Thai Nguyen will remove all bottlenecks in transportation infrastructure and legal procedures. We should not only sell existing potential but also create attractive and unique destinations. To attract investors with integrity and vision, the government must demonstrate integrity and vision in managing and supporting businesses.
That determination is evidenced by the province's investment of over 551 billion VND in the tourism development plan for the period 2026-2030. The 40km-long roads encircling the lake and the inter-regional connecting roads are being completed day by day.
The accommodation system is also being systematically planned with the goal of having at least 300 new establishments and 4-5 star hotels meeting international standards; creating jobs for approximately 10,000 workers; and developing the Nui Coc Lake Tourist Area , linked with the eastern slopes of Tam Dao and the Ba Be Lake Tourist Area, into a key high-end eco-tourism, resort, and entertainment destination.
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| The beauty of Ba Be Lake changes with the seasons. |
No longer just projects on paper, the "Mountain Lake Paradise" is gradually becoming a reality through the bustling construction pace in Dai Phuc commune, through the resounding sounds of the Tinh lute echoing across Ba Be Lake, and through the ever-increasing number of tourists.
The target of 25 trillion VND in annual revenue by 2030 is no longer a distant dream if the underlying heritage continues to be unlocked by dedicated hands and minds. Lake Nui Coc and Lake Ba Be will no longer be "sleeping princesses." They will be shining gems, transforming Thai Nguyen into a key international-class ecotourism and resort destination in the North.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/du-lich-thai-nguyen/202605/danh-thuc-thien-duong-ho-tren-nui-20579bf/
