Klu Hot Springs: Quiet with tourists

The hot water tank is dry, the bottom of the tank is covered with moss - Photo: Tr.T

Precious resources in the middle of Truong Son mountain range

Located right next to National Highway 9, an important traffic route on the East-West economic corridor, about 50km west of Dong Ha City (old), Klu hot spring has a strategic position in the tourism connection of the western mountainous region of Quang Tri. Not only does it have an advantage in terms of traffic, this place is also blessed by nature with a hot mineral water stream that erupts all year round, with a temperature of 35 - 45°C, containing many minerals that are good for health, capable of supporting the treatment of bone and joint diseases, dermatology and physical recovery.

The space surrounding the stream is old forests, high mountains, interspersed with villages of the Van Kieu people - where many traditional cultural values are still preserved. It is the harmonious combination of wild nature and indigenous ethnic identity that has turned Klu into an ideal destination for tourists who love to experience eco-tourism and community tourism .

In 2014, the Official Development Assistance project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) invested in 7 important infrastructure items at Klu hot spring, such as: Information and sightseeing center; community accommodation; walking trails, signs; toilets; community festival grounds; lighting, water supply and drainage, garbage collection systems; Klu hot spring. These items were considered an important foundation for forming a community tourism area with local identity, creating sustainable livelihoods for the people.

In August 2018, Klu hot spring community tourism area was put into operation. In the period of 2018-2020, Klu hot spring community tourism area welcomed nearly 40,000 domestic and foreign visitors, bringing in revenue of more than 2.2 billion VND from services operated by local people. These are numbers showing the great attraction of Klu when invested in the right direction.

Mr. Le Hoai Phong, Chairman of Dakrong Commune, said: "After Dakrong Commune took over the Klu hot spring tourist area, the Commune People's Committee assigned the Department of Culture to receive, manage, and develop a project to operate and effectively exploit this tourist area."

From Hope to Despair

Since July 2020, the Klu hot spring community tourism area has been in a state of prolonged "hibernation". First, due to the impact of Covid-19, all tourism activities had to be temporarily suspended. Then, the historic flood at the end of 2020 severely damaged the tourism infrastructure system in Klu. Many items were washed away, buried or severely damaged... Since then, the Klu hot spring has fallen into a state of desolation.

According to the leader of Dakrong Commune Cultural Office, in addition to the above two reasons, there are still some subjective reasons leading to the decreasing number of visitors to Klu hot spring community tourism area. For example: The environment is not yet guaranteed, there is still a situation where local people bring their clothes to the stream to wash; the service team and culinary team are still passive, not welcoming guests; the hot water pools are too small, the bathing pools are slippery and have many sharp stones...

According to the reporter's records, this area has not been cleaned or renovated yet. The 4 hot water tanks are dry, the bottom of the tanks are covered with moss, giving off a foul smell. There is a lot of garbage around the main yard and the information house. There is no staff on duty here, and there is a lack of maintenance system.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Hoang, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: “I had heard a lot about the pristine beauty of Klu hot spring, so I was very excited. However, when I came here to experience it and witnessed the deserted and unsanitary scene, I was really disappointed. Such potential without being cared for and invested in is a waste.”

Klu Hot Springs: Quiet with tourists

The viewing hut is spaciously built but has few visitors - Photo: Tr.T

Need a long term strategy

In order to overcome the consequences of natural disasters, at the end of 2023, Dakrong district (old) implemented a project to repair and upgrade the infrastructure of Klu hot spring with a total investment of nearly 7 billion VND (completed in January 2025). However, due to many difficulties in capital, human resources and management mechanisms, the tourist area has not yet officially resumed operations, causing great waste of both resources and development opportunities.

Mr. Le Hoai Phong, Chairman of Dakrong Commune People's Committee admitted: "Rebuilding tourism at Klu hot spring is not simple. The stream bed is narrow, the two sides are steep, flash floods often occur during the rainy season, causing a high risk of damage if there is no synchronous protection solution. The locality is developing a project to invite businesses to invest in cooperation with the community to exploit, ensuring both safety and sustainable development."

It is undeniable that Klu hot spring is one of the impressive eco-tourism spots in Western Quang Tri. However, to turn the potential into reality, it is necessary to have the cooperation of the government, businesses and the community. In particular, it is necessary to have a methodical strategy in restoring, managing, exploiting and promoting this destination. If there is determination and strategic vision, this place can completely "revive", becoming a unique ecological - cultural highlight on the Quang Tri tourism map.

Tran Tuyen

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/suoi-nuoc-nong-klu-vang-lang-du-khach-196196.htm