The area around the Thac Bo Temple on Hoa Binh Lake.
A spring journey amidst the mountains and waters of the lake.
From early morning in the first days of spring, Thung Nai Wharf (Thung Nai commune) and Bich Ha Port (Hoa Binh ward) are bustling with people and vehicles. The sound of boat engines blends with the lapping of water, creating a unique and vibrant atmosphere for the Thac Bo Temple Festival. On the docks, tourists carry offerings and young branches of auspicious plants, each radiating excitement for their first spring outing of the year.
Boats line up, carrying people back and forth across the vast expanse of the river. On both banks, towering limestone mountains cast their reflections onto the turquoise water, occasionally punctuated by glimpses of the peaceful stilt houses of the Muong and Dao ethnic minorities nestled in the valleys. The expansive landscape leads many visitors to liken their pilgrimage to the Ba Chua Thac Bo Temple to a "pilgrimage on the water."
Boats are picking up tourists for the Lunar New Year at Bich Ha port, Hoa Binh ward.
Not only does Thac Bo Temple attract visitors from within the province, but it also draws a large number of tourists from many provinces and cities across the country. Many families choose to make a pilgrimage here at the beginning of the spring season as a way to start the new year peacefully and fortunately, combined with relaxation and enjoying nature. "Going to worship is also like going on a spring outing, enjoying the scenery, and relaxing. Sitting on a boat in the middle of the lake feels so peaceful," shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh, a tourist from Hanoi.
A place to entrust your wishes for peace and well-being.
The Thac Bo Goddess Temple – one of the most sacred temples in the Northwest region, located in Thung Nai and Tien Phong communes, sits atop a limestone mountain overlooking Hoa Binh Lake. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Thac Bo, a revered figure closely associated with the history of the rugged Da River region.
Legend has it that the Bo Temple is dedicated to the goddesses of Thac Bo, namely Dinh Thi Van, a woman of the Muong ethnic group, and a woman of the Dao ethnic group from Vay Nua. These two women helped King Le Loi with military supplies and boats to cross the Thac Bo waterfall and advance to Muong Le, Son La, to quell the rebellion of Deo Cat Han. After their deaths, the two women often manifested themselves to help people cross the waterfall safely and bless the people of the region with favorable weather. King Le Loi posthumously honored their merits and issued a decree for the people to build a temple to worship and commemorate these two heroic national heroines.
Having weathered many historical upheavals, especially since the construction of the Hoa Binh hydroelectric power plant, the Thac Bo Temple has become an important spiritual anchor for the people in the reservoir area. The Thac Bo Temple festival usually takes place from the first to the end of the third lunar month, with the peak being at the beginning of spring.
In this sacred space, visitors respectfully offer incense and pray for peace, prosperity, and health for their families. The offerings are usually simple but solemn, including incense, flowers, betel nuts, cakes, and fruits, reflecting the beautiful traditional beliefs of the Vietnamese people.
Notably, in recent years, local authorities have focused on organizing festivals in a civilized and economical manner. Efforts to discourage the indiscriminate burning of votive paper, maintain environmental hygiene, and ensure waterway safety have been implemented comprehensively, creating a positive impression on visitors.
The mystical Thac Bo Cave nestled amidst the rocky mountains.
Not far from the Thac Bo Temple is Thac Bo Cave, an unmissable destination for spring excursions at the beginning of the year. From the boat dock, visitors follow the stone steps leading up to the cave entrance. Inside, the space unfolds in a magical way with a system of natural stalactites and stalagmites in many unique shapes.
Thac Bo Cave - an ideal place to explore the beauty of nature.
Thac Bo Cave was recognized as a National Heritage Site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2008.
According to folklore, Thac Bo Cave is not only a natural scenic spot but also holds deep spiritual significance. Many stalactite formations are given names by locals such as "golden tree, silver tree," "elephant herd," and "sitting Buddha," associated with aspirations for wealth and blessings.
Mr. Tran Van Dung, a young tourist from Hai Phong, shared: “Entering the cave, everyone feels both overwhelmed and reverent. The cool atmosphere and the lights shining on the stalactites make this place even more sacred.”
Beyond serving spiritual needs, Thac Bo Cave is also a key highlight in the development of ecotourism and experiential tourism. Combining cave visits, temple ceremonies, and lake excursions creates a unique tourism product that attracts visitors year-round, especially during the early spring.
Specialty fish from Hoa Binh lake.
Local products offered to tourists on Hoa Binh Lake.
A sustainable path for spiritual tourism.
Mr. Tran Anh, Secretary of the Party Committee of Thung Nai commune, said: “During each festival season, the Thac Bo Temple welcomes tens of thousands of visitors. The commune has coordinated with functional forces to strengthen management, ensure security and order, maintain waterway traffic safety, and preserve the landscape and environment. The local goal is to develop spiritual tourism associated with preserving traditional cultural values and the lake's ecosystem. People are encouraged to participate in tourism services in a civilized and friendly manner, treating tourists as honored guests visiting their homeland.”
In fact, the atmosphere at the Thac Bo Temple during the spring festival has become increasingly orderly and joyful in recent years. Visitors come here not only to worship but also to enjoy the natural surroundings, harmonize with the mountains and rivers, and find balance in their modern lives.
The scenery on Hoa Binh Lake is picturesque.
On a spring afternoon on the lake, boats filled with laughter return to the dock. The water sparkles, the mountains stand silently, reflecting their image, bringing to a close a perfect day of spring excursions. For many, the New Year's pilgrimage to the Thac Bo Temple is not only a spiritual ritual but also a journey to rediscover simple, peaceful values—something everyone hopes for in a prosperous new year.
Hong Trung
Source: https://baophutho.vn/dau-xuan-di-le-den-chua-thac-bo-246471.htm
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