Khe Sanh Maple Forest: Discover the unique autumn foliage in Quang Tri.

In December, the maple forests around Rao Quan Lake transform into a vibrant red, inviting tourists to embark on a 14km trekking and boat trip on the lake.

In early December, as the weather turns chilly, the area around the Rao Quan hydroelectric reservoir in Huong Hoa commune, Quang Tri province, dons a new coat of color. The maple forests simultaneously turn red, appearing and disappearing in the mist and clouds, creating a rare and spectacular scene that attracts those who love exploration and trekking.

A 14km trekking journey through a maple forest.

The trek through Khe Sanh maple forest is approximately 14 km long and usually takes about 4 hours to complete. The route starts at Km 14 on the Ho Chi Minh Highway, following a winding border patrol trail around the Rao Quan hydroelectric reservoir. According to Nguyen Bon, a local tour guide, December is the ideal time for the trip due to the dry weather and stunning natural scenery.

The leaves of the maple trees turn a brilliant red in the cool December weather.

The dominant tree species contributing to this beauty is the red maple, also known as the fragrant maple, scientifically named Liquidambar formosana . This is a long-lived woody tree that can grow from 2-10 meters tall and emits a distinctive fragrance. The maples in Khe Sanh have three-lobed leaves, a characteristic that distinguishes them from maples in temperate regions.

The trail leads visitors through the forest, which is in the season of changing leaves.

The terrain of the trail is quite varied. After relatively flat sections of trail come steep slopes and streams that cut across. The moss-covered rocky surfaces can be slippery, and many stream crossings are only temporary bridges made of tree trunks. Visitors are advised to use trekking poles for balance and to conserve energy.

The challenging routes offer a memorable experience for participants.

A unique experience on Rào Quán Lake.

One of the highlights of the trip is a boat ride on Rào Quán Lake. At one rest stop, visitors will experience the feeling of floating on the clear blue water, admiring and taking photos with the submerged maple trees, creating a scene that is both majestic and poetic.

Taking a boat trip on Rao Quan Lake is an opportunity to admire the maple forest from a different perspective.

To ensure safety, each boat carries a maximum of 8 people, and all passengers must wear life jackets. "Field" lunches are usually prepared in advance with cold dishes such as sticky rice, chicken, and pastries, helping to reduce the need to carry bulky items and minimize environmental pollution.

Tourists enjoy lunch amidst fresh, natural surroundings.

Information you need to know for the trip

According to Mr. Bon, trekking tours usually have a group size of 5-15 people. The all-inclusive cost per person ranges from 800,000 to 1 million VND, including food, transportation, and camping equipment.

• Itinerary: Visitors can choose to go on a day trip or stay overnight to have the chance to watch the sunrise and chase the clouds the next morning.
• Equipment: Due to the possibility of low nighttime temperatures in mountainous areas, visitors should prepare adequate warm clothing.
• Environmental protection: Tour guides always collect trash after the trip and remind visitors not to break branches or take anything from the forest.

An aerial view of the maple forest area and Rào Quán lake.

Enjoy the specialties of the highlands.

To conclude the journey, visitors can enjoy Khe Sanh coffee, a famous specialty of Huong Hoa district. Grown on red basalt soil with a cool highland climate, Khe Sanh Arabica coffee offers a rich, consistent flavor and is a key agricultural product of the locality.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/rung-phong-khe-sanh-kham-pha-mua-la-do-doc-dao-o-quang-tri-3314582.html