(HBO) – The Temple of Mieng Cave is a famous attraction of spiritual tourism in the area around Hoa Binh Lake. It is located in Quang Minh commune of Van Ho district, Son La province. Tourists can reach the temple by both waterway and road. Those who come to the temple by boat can depart from Bich Ha Port or Thung Nai Port which are 70km and 50km away respectively. The temple is a solemn place of worship and believed to be very sacred by local people.
The
Temple of
Mieng Cavein Quang Minh commune of Van Ho district, Son La province
Mieng
Cave is an old karst cave which was previously a stopover of
traders from lowland regions and fishermen. Residents built a temple there in
commemoration of Dinh Thi Van, a heroine from the Muong ethnic minority group,
who encouraged local people to donate food. She, together with other people,
navigated boats along the Da River to carry food to the army of King Le Loi.
After a number of successful food delivery trips, one time, her boat full of
food encountered a storm and sank in a river section near
Mieng
Cave.
Her body was drifted to the area of Thac Bo (Bo Waterfall). To show respect for
and commemorate her merit, local people built a temple dedicated to her at
Mieng
Cave.
It is also called the temple of the Lord of Mieng Cave.
In the early 20th century, the French
colonialists expanded the temple. A temple of the Lord of Bo Waterfall in Vay
Nua commune of Hoa Binh province was also set up to wish for her protection of
trips along the Da River. When the Hoa Binh hydropower plant was constructed,
this temple was flooded and then moved to
Dau
Rong
Mountain.
The Temple of Mieng Cave is believed to be very
sacred. Once coming to the temple, visitors can enjoy the picturesque beauty of
Hoa
Binh
Lakeand tranquil moments while learning more about legends of Dinh Thi Van. Prayers
for peace, wealth and children said at the Temple of Mieng Cave are also
believed to come true. In the past, visitors to the temple were mainly people
residing along the Da River in Hoa Binh and Son La provinces. At present, the
temple is a must-visit destination for all who tour the Da River.
The area of
Mieng
Cavealso has a flea market opened on the 1st, 2nd, 11th, 12th, 21st and 22nd of
every month. A number of ethnic people from communes bordering
Hoa
Binh
Lake come to the market
on these days. The market features all types of products, from vegetables, fish
to essential goods serving the daily life and production activities, creating
worth-to-explore identities for visitors to the Temple of Mieng Cave./.
Covering an area of over 52,000 hectares spanning districts of Mai Chau, Tan Lac, Cao Phong, Da Bac, and Hoa Binh City, Hoa Binh lake has strong potential for tourism development. In recent years, thanks to the attention of local Party Committees and authorities as well as support from international organisations, the advantages of tourism in the lake area have been utilised.
Mai Chau is a mountainous district and home to many ethnic groups such as Thai, Muong, Kinh, Mong, Dao, and Tay with distinctive cultural identities, creating a diverse and unique cultural treasure. Aware of its advantages, the district has paid attention to the preservation and promotion of ethnic groups’ cultural values so that culture will become a leverage for tourism and contribute to socio-economic development and life quality improvement.
According to the Hoa Binh provincial Department of Planning and Investment, in Hoa Binh Lake tourist area, there are currently 16 licensed or certified service, cultural and tourism investment projects with a land use area of about 1,444 hectares, and a total capital of over 3.3 trillion VND (133.5 million USD). In addition to investment attraction, the province is speeding up the implementation of projects so as to realise a goal of developing Hoa Binh Lake tourist area into a national one.
These days, tourist attractions in Mai Chau district, especially those highlighted by the charming and romantic white Ban (Bauhinia) flower blossoms, are attracting a large number of visitors from across the country. Visiting these sites, tourists can immerse themselves in the pristine and majestic beauty of nature.
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