Unique experience of traveling to Hoa Binh lake, discovering Muong culture

Hoa Binh Lake is a famous tourist destination about 100km from Hanoi. This is the largest artificial reservoir in Southeast Asia located on the Da River, with a capacity of 9.5 billion cubic meters and a length of more than 70km stretching through the districts of Cao Phong, Tan Lac, Mai Chau, Da Bac and Hoa Binh City.

What is there to do in Hoa Binh Lake area?

In late July, after traveling from the center of Hoa Binh City via provincial road 435 (about 20km), Giao thong Newspaper reporters arrived at Thung Nai commune, Cao Phong district, Hoa Binh province.

Image of Hoa Binh Lake from above.

Seen from above, Hoa Binh Lake has beautiful emerald green water, surrounded by hundreds of large and small islands hidden among the misty clouds. The poetic natural scenery here attracts a large number of tourists to visit and explore every year.

According to Mr. Bui Van Trong (26 years old, resident of Thung Nai commune), "Hoa Binh Lake is beautiful in different ways each season, so tourists can come here at any time of the year to have different experiences.

If from May to August is the time when the Da River water is especially clear, suitable for taking photos or enjoying the beautiful scenery, then from August to October the weather here is cool, with little rain, bringing a very comfortable and pleasant feeling.

In addition, to experience Hoa Binh Lake tourism, from Hoa Binh City, visitors can travel about 30km along National Highway 6 to reach Ngoi Hoa Commune, Tan Lac District. Or from Hoa Binh City, travel across the left bank of the Da River, up to Da Bac to visit Ke Hamlet, Hien Luong Commune.

This is a tourist destination located in the poetic Hien Luong Bay, home to over 110 Muong ethnic households that still preserve their traditional cultural identity.

One of the highlights when coming to Hoa Binh Lake tourism is the pristine Karst caves such as Thac Bo cave, Hoa Tien cave (Ngoi Hoa, Tan Lac) which have been ranked as National Monuments by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Or experience staying overnight in a stilt house at community tourism spots in Da Bac district, such as: Da Bia community tourism spot, Duc Phong hamlet; Mo Hem community tourism spot, Doan Ket hamlet, Tien Phong commune.

Visitors can also participate in interesting and suitable activities for all ages at Da Bia such as: kayaking, swimming, sightseeing boat trips, fishing, shrimping, cycling, walking on roads overlooking terraced fields or poetic natural landscapes of mountains and rivers, harvesting agricultural products, learning to cook traditional dishes, wrapping snail cakes, dancing on bamboo poles, enjoying Muong people's wine when night falls.

Hoa Binh Lake has 47 large and small islands, including 11 limestone islands that have been invested in and built into attractive eco-tourism areas over the years such as Coconut Island, Green Island, Windmill Guesthouse, Ba Khan Village Resort, Mai Chau Hideaway Resort...

Hoa Binh Lake Tourist Area has over 100 accommodation establishments, attracting 1,200 workers. In the tourist area, there are about 300 passenger transport vehicles. The system of restaurants, entertainment spots, tourist attractions, and tours are built and connected to localities in the province and the country, creating a diverse tourism ecosystem, attracting many tourists.

The development of tourism in Hoa Binh Lake contributes to promoting the tourism image of Hoa Binh province. In the first 6 months of 2023, Hoa Binh province welcomed 2,360,000 visitors, an increase of 28.8% over the same period last year, reaching 67.4% of the yearly plan.

The story of farmers doing tourism on the lake area

After many hours of traveling, Giao thong Newspaper reporters arrived at the Da Bia community tourism site (old Da Bia hamlet, now Duc Phong hamlet, Tien Phong commune, Da Bac district) in a peaceful space, listening to the sounds of daily life, simple but endearing.

Introducing the development of tourism in his hometown, Mr. Bui Dua Liem - a resident of Duc Phong hamlet said: Da Bia community tourism site is an ideal place for tourists who want to relax, explore and experience the life of the highland people, especially the Muong Ao Ta people. Standing on the top of Da Bia mountain with an altitude of 250m, looking far away to see the whole Da Bia area and part of Hoa Binh lake.

Tourists are excited to experience community tourism in Tien Phong commune, Da Bac district.

“I am confident that the homestays here have attracted visitors, bringing interesting experiences to visitors to Hoa Binh Lake. Anyone who came to Da Bia village a few years ago would be quite surprised by the changes here,” said Mr. Liem.

Sharing the same thought, Ms. Bui Thi Nhem (resident of Duc Phong hamlet - owner of Ngoc Nhem homestay) said: When we started doing community tourism, we were still confused. Because most of us were too familiar with pure farming, year-round with hills and livestock, so we had to learn and absorb a lot of things from cooking to decorating rooms, tables, dancing, how to invite guests...

Besides, thanks to the attention from the Party and the State in creating favorable conditions for developing the community tourism model, up to now, Da Bia farmers like us have done tourism much more professionally, provided better and higher quality tourism services and products for tourists, and at the same time improved our income and life.

Thanks to that, people's lives have improved significantly. In the past, my family sometimes had to borrow rice from relatives or neighbors. Now, after each time welcoming guests, my husband and I improve our skills in preparing food, accommodation and even bookkeeping," said Ms. Nhem.

From a village like many other villages along Hoa Binh Lake, with the attention from local authorities, initial financial support, investment in renovating houses, environmental landscapes, preserving local culture, providing knowledge on tourism, promoting, connecting markets, etc., Da Bia farmers have seized the opportunity to develop tourism, bringing a new look to Hoa Binh Lake tourism.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Luong Van Thi, Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Bac district, said: The People's Council has developed a resolution on tourism development until 2030, with the advantage of Hoa Binh, the Prime Minister has approved the planning of the national key tourist area of Hoa Binh lake. Of which, half of the area is located in Da Bac district.

Accordingly, promoting the development of community tourism associated with exploiting natural potential and cultural identity, supporting transformation, improving service quality, developing in a more professional and effective direction when focusing on promotion and connecting the customer market.

At the same time, build a brand for tourism products and services of Da Bac people, develop community tourism in a sustainable way. At the same time, coordinate with relevant departments and branches to create favorable conditions for investors to research and implement projects, create strong development in tourism and services, contribute to hunger eradication and poverty reduction associated with new rural construction.

Some images recorded by reporters: