In the early morning, Bich Ha port was enveloped in mist. Our boat rode upstream into the vast waters. Mr Nhan has spent nearly all his life on the Da River. After years of saving, he now owns a new boat, offering tours around the lake for tourists. At our request, he has prepared enough food for a long trip on the lake.  

In 2016, the Prime Minister approved the planning of the Hoa Binh Lake national tourism site.

Mr. Nhan said: "It was not as hard as before to catch fish on Da River. The fish is clean and delicious. Chicken and pork are also easily available.” He named a long list of delicious specialties of the area, from grilled fish to grilled pork, rice cooked inside a bamboo and forest vegetable.

 The lake surface was calm in the morning. The farther we went, the stronger the wind was, and the lake opened up before us. Crystal clear water, blue sky, white clouds and green mountains combined into a breathtaking view.

 After 30 minutes, our ship docked near a mountain’s side to visit Sung island, one of the best scenic spots on the lake. The island spans 150 hectares and is filled with century-old trees.

 Dozen minutes away from Sung island, we reached Ngoi lagoon, the most beautiful lagoon of the lake where the water is always calm. Nearby Ngoi hamlet remained the same, with poor but hospitable locals.

 Hoa lake, located in Ngoi Hoa commune, Tan Lac district, is very deep. Locals said the lake is home to many species of fish, such as amur, dory, milkfish, and semilabeo notabilis.

 On the mountain rising above the lake there lies the Khi (Monkey) cave which used to be inhabited by a lot of monkeys. However, few can be seen at present, and only their voices can be heard from inside the forest.

 Around the lake, there are many hamlets which have become community-based tourist destinations thanks to their local cultural identities, including Phu hamlet (Toan Son), Mo and Ke hamlet (Hien Luong), Da Bia hamlet (Tien Phong), Lon spring (Tan Mai), and Mu and Go Lao waterfalls (Phuc San). Some hamlets in Dong Nghe, Suoi Nanh, Muong Tuong communes are still difficult to reach.  Small streams flow into the lake, and fish abound in streams in Trung Hoa commune (Tan Lac), Ke hamlet (Hien Luong), Nanh estuary (Suoi Nanh).

 Passing Nanh estuary, we went to Hang Mieng temple to offer incense to commemorate Mrs Dinh Thi Van, a Muong woman who had canvassed locals to help King Le Loi’s troops on Da river in the past.

 Hang Mieng temple on the bank of Da river is located in Quang Minh commune, Van Ho district of Son La province, more than 50km away from Hoa Binh city’s Bich Ha port. The sacred temple is a must-go destination for tourists if they have time and want to pray for peace, children and luck./.

                                                            Le Chung

Related Topics

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Hoa Binh’s cultural heritage: Muong Gongs, a timeless cultural treasure

Preserving, promoting Muong cultural heritage: Upholding Muong culture into contemporary life

Preserving essence of Muong culture: tradition meets modernity

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Preserving Muong community’s identity – Journey from tradition to modernity: Part 1 – Exploring Muong culture region

The Muong group is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam, primarily found in Hoa Binh province. The Muong people in Hoa Binh boast a rich and diverse cultural treasure that reflects the unique identity of this ethnic group. Accounting for over 63% of the province's population, they have created and preserved numerous distinctive cultural values, contributing to their unique identity. Their cultural heritage is an invaluable asset, at the heart of their national identity, and represents a vibrant spiritual life that must be preserved and promoted in today’s modern world.

Traditional festivals of Hoa Binh: A rich cultural heritage

For generations, the ethnic communities of Hoa Binh province, particularly the Muong people, have preserved vibrant festivals deeply intertwined with the region’s geography, nature, and social traditions. These celebrations enrich Hoa Binh’s spiritual life and cultural identity, reflecting both folk beliefs and the intermingling of ethnic customs. Many of these festivals have endured the test of time, passed down through generations and continuing to thrive today. Among them, the Khai Ha (Going Down to the Field) festival stands out as one of the most significant events of the Muong ethnic group.

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Muong calendar, known as sach doi, is an ancient folk knowledge system developed through observations of the movement of the pleiades star. This unique calendar consists of 12 bamboo sticks, each representing a lunar month. Specific days within each month are marked with distinct symbols, guiding locals in determining auspicious and inauspicious days for important activities.

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