(HBO) – Bumpy roads to Tu Do, a mountainous commune of Lac Son district, Hoa Binh province, cannot hold back footsteps of adventurers who want to explore the beauty of the land and enjoy the pristine nature here.
Mu Waterfall, a tourist attraction
this summer
The commune is favoured by nature with a magnificent
waterfall, called Mu. It is located at
an altitude of over
1,000 min the first stretch of the legendary Truong Son range where water pours down
into a small lake. The deepest point of the bottom of the falls is around
2 metres, not too
dangerous for tourists.
One of the highlights of the
Mu Waterfall is an amazing blue lagoon that is as large as a natural swimming
pool at the foot of the falls. To many backpackers, the destination is like a "heaven”
on the earth.
Below the Mu Waterfall is
Mu cave, a masterpiece of nature that can excite any adventurer. The large cave
has many beautiful statuesque stalactites that look shimmery and vague under
sunlight.
Large fields and terraced
paddy fields, other landscapes together with friendly locals and the simple
rural life here make Tu Do even more appealing to visitors.
Sat Thuong, a village of the
Muong ethnic minority people, was turned into a place renowned for
community-based tours. And Bui Thi Him is one of the local women who firstly
introduced community-based tourism in this remote village.
She said proudly that Sat Thuong is one of
the province’s four nature reserves and also the largest with a primeval
forest. Over 98 percent of its population are Muong people and all families
here live in stilt houses, a tradition that has been kept until today.
Him and some other locals
have joined a community-based tourism model, namely Ngoc Son – Ngo Luong since
the end of 2011. At the same time, six households began offering homestay
services, mostly in the Mu Waterfall area.
With fairly good accommodations
and services, the homestay places have become popular among holidaymakers. Thanks
to that, the commune welcomed more than 10,000 tourists each year, of whom over
500 visitors, including 400 foreigners, stayed at these homestay establishments.
Developing
community-based tourism in Tu Do is part of Lac Son district’s project to boost
tourism by 2020 with a vision to 2030, which has helped the commune unleash its
potentials. The commune plans to cooperate with other tourist destinations in
neighbouring areas like Mai Chau in Hoa Binh and Pu Luong Nature Reserve in
Thanh Hoa in an attempt to further bolster its tourism industry.
The establishment of
community-based tourism villages has brought a new lease of life to Tu Do and
promoted local hidden charms, thus improving incomes for local people.
As the new year begins and festive spirit fills the air, visitors flock to Hoa Binh lake, often dubbed the "Ha Long Bay on land," to enjoy its breathtaking beauty and serene atmosphere. In spring, the lake comes alive with lush greenery and delicate blossoms, while boats carrying eager tourists glide across its tranquil waters.
With effective business operations, significant increases in the number of visitors at weekends and on public holidays, and being listed among the 71 most beautiful places to visit worldwide by the prestigious US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller, Hoa Binh’s tourism is "spreading its wings" on its journey towards the targets of welcoming 4.9 million visitors, including 1 million foreigners, and achieving total tourism revenue of 5.4 trillion VND (211.89 million USD) in 2025.
On February 21, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to implement the tourism plan in 2025 and meet with tourism businesses operating in the province. The event was chaired by Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the Head of the Provincial Tourism Steering Committee.
Tien Pagoda is located in the valley of Lao Noi and Lao Ngoai villages, Phu Nghia commune, Lac Thuy district; it is surrounded by two mountain ranges stretching like two giant dragons reaching for the blue sky. Every year, when spring comes, thousands of Buddhists and tourists from all over the country make a pilgrimage to Tien Pagoda. The relic complex of Tien Pagoda is ranked as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with 21 relic sites of many types: historical and cultural relics, scenic relics, and archaeological relics.
Cao Phong has paid due attention to developing tourism, creating impetus for socio-economic development towards completing the targets set in the resolution of the district’s 28th Party Congress for the 2020-2025 tenure.
A great number of visitors have flocked to tourist attractions in Hoa Binh province in the first lunar month every year to admire the beautiful scenery, fully enjoy the spring atmosphere, and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere in many localities.
