(HBO) - On the journey of "traveling to the mountains, enjoying the water” in Hoa Binh lake area, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the fair by the river. The fair usually opens before dawn and it does not take too long, so take advantage of going to the fair whenever you get a chance.
Once a week, the people in Doan Ket hamlet, Tien Phong commune (Da Bac) welcome the fair on the lake area to meet and exchange goods.
Recently, in order to help visitors have more vivid and complete experiences about the cultural identity of the lake area in general and the beauty of the fair in particular, Hoa Binh Tourism joint Stock Company has joined with the people of Ngoi village, Suoi Hoa commune (Tan Lac) to open a country fair. The purpose is to introduce and promote to domestic and international tourists and friends about the beauty of Hoa Binh lake area, the colorful fairs of life. Ms. Ngoc Lan, a tourist from Ha Noi is really interested: Actually, it is not easy to see a fair on the lake area like this. There are many interesting things for me when I come here, that is, being able to admire and taste the products of the mountains and rivers, to contact and talk with the farmers who make these products.
Exploring the fair with the bustling scene on the wharf, under the boat, in the middle of the vast mountains and rivers will surely bring visitors unforgettable experiences. Here, most of the products and goods are made by the people living on the lake area, many of which were previously self-supported. Some traders bring goods from the lowlands to sell and exchange items for the local people. They are mainly essential goods such as fish sauce, monosodium, salt, cooking oil and clothes, shoes, hats... More specifically, the fair clearly reflects the customs, the habits and the daily life of the local people. Mr. Quoc Khanh, a tourist from Vinh Phuc says: "Going to the fair here, I meet the local people, I know which season to collect a lot of bamboo shoots, Sang vegetables or honey in the forest, how to catch more shrimps, fish... Only when you have a lot of contact can you feel the simplicity, the gentleness, the hard-earned life, the closeness to nature, having the style of the people in the lake area.
On the vast Hoa Binh lake area, there are a number of riverside fairs such as Hat fair - Yen Hoa commune, Tup fair- Tien Phong commune (Da Bac), Tham fair - Suoi Hoa commune (Tan Lac). In addition, at community tourism sites such as Ke halmet - Hien Luong commune, Sung hamlet - Cao Son commune, Doan Ket hamlet - Tien Phong commune (Da Bac), there are convenient riverside fairs for tourists to visit on the journey to discover the villages. In the high-water season, the market boats are anchored at the river's edge. In addition to exchanging, buying and selling mainly on boats, there are also a number of stalls set up on the shore so that people can bring goods there to exchange. The goods that people in the lake area exchange most are the products from the river. The baskets of fresh fish and shrimp are hurriedly collected by traders.
The ideal time to experience the fair area on the lake is during summer and autumn, when the water ion the lake area s higher and clear. When it is just dawn, ships and boats land, and the vendors just finish packing. The people of all ethnic groups have also arranged and displayed things picked from the forest and raised from the river to welcome guests. It is a step to prepare for the start of the fair on the river, which is really exciting and bustling. The fair is like a familiar rhythm of life that is repeated and repeated and it has become a unique cultural feature of the daily life and the economic exchange in the localities within Hoa Binh lake area. For many visitors, the fair brings a special feeling when floating on the boat, immersing in the vast river region, feeling the cultural space of the mountainous ethnic villages and welcoming a new day full of excitement.
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.
