HBO – A delegation from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has paid a fact-finding tour of tourism routes and spots along the Da River in the four northwestern provinces of Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La and Hoa Binh. Also participating in the delegation were experts and representatives from travel agents and news outlets.

The delegation visits Mai Chau
Hideway Resort in Suoi Lon hamlet, Tan Mai commune, Mai Chau district.
The working delegation had a field trip to several destinations in
Da River area, including Ngam hamlet, Song Pe commune, Bac Yen district of Son
La province; Da Bia hamlet in Tien Phong commune of Hoa Binh’s Da Bac district,
Mai Chau Hideway Resort and Ba Khan valley in the province’s Mai Chau district,
Ke hamlet of Da Bac district’s Hien Luong commune, Chua Thac Bo temple
spiritual tourist site, Dua (coconut) isle, and Thung Nai commune.
Through the trip, the delegation assessed potential and the status
quo of tourism resources for the building of tourism products, tours and
tourism routes to bring into full play types of tourism in Hoa Binh lake area.
Da River, connecting Hoa Binh, Son La, Lai Chau and Dien Bien
provinces, is a beautiful river running around gigantic mountains and primeval
forests, creating a giant "watercolour painting” considered huge potential to
develop cultural and spiritual tourism and eco-tourism, thus opening up
opportunities to attract tourists and improve locals’ living conditions.
Building tourism sites along Da River is defined a key mission in tourism development
of these provinces./.
With its pristine landscapes, unique cultural heritage of Muong ethnic minority, and an expanding range of visitor experiences, Tan Lac district of Hoa Binh has fast become a captivating destination for both domestic and international tourists.
Until now, Sung village in Cao Son commune, Da Bac district remains the only Dao ethnic community in Hoa Binh province to develop a community-based tourism model. Beyond its untouched natural landscapes, cultural identity serves as the cornerstone attraction for visitors.
Alongside the diverse cultural identities of the Kinh, Muong, Tay, Thai, Dao, and Mong ethnic people, Hoa Binh province is also renowned as the "capital" of the northwestern Vietnamese cuisine, offering unique and distinctive dishes. At festivals, during Lunar New Year (Tet), or on significant family or community occasions, special dishes are prepared, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
A Phong Linh (Yellow Tabebuia) flower garden in Thang village, Thach Yen commune, Cao Phong district is currently in full bloom, drawing a large number of visitors.
Community-based tourism has been thriving in Pa Co commune, Mai Chau district thanks to advantages in natural landscape and cultural identity.
Doan Ket commune of Yen Thuy district has recently held a ceremony to receive a certificate recognising Ta communal house as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic site.