(HBO) - On August 1, 2016, the Prime Minister approved a master plan on the development of the Hoa Binh Lake National Tourism Site which serves as an important lever for disadvantaged areas along the lake to boost socio-economic development. After a long sleep, now Ngoi village in Suoi Hoa commune (Tan Lac district), Ke village in Hien Luong commune, Da Bia community tourism site in Tien Phong commune, and Sung village in Cao Son commune (Da Bac district) have became famous places on Vietnam's tourism map.
A corner of Hoa Binh lake.
Hoa Binh lake
has a surface area of about 9,000 ha and a capacity of about 9.45 billion cu.m,
spreading over the districts of Cao Phong, Da Bac, Tan Lac and Mai Chau and Hoa
Binh city. It is home to 47 islands, including 11 limestone ones covering an
area of about 116 hectares, and 36 mountainous land ones with a total area of
157.5 hectares. In addition, on Hoa Binh lake, there is a pristine and
mysterious karst cave system with multicolored stalactites like Thac Bo cave
and Hoa Tien cave. During all the four seasons, the lake water is clear and
green. Lying along the two banks are immense forests with rich flora.
Hamlets
of Muong, Thai and Dao ethnic groups dot Hoa Binh lake, where their diverse
cultural identities are being preserved. Ancient customs and traditions are expressed
through Muong folk songs, Mo Muong or special Muong gong performance. In addition,
the cuisine of the people here is rich, diverse and unique; and the craft of weaving
is passed down from generations to generations.
The
natural landscape mingled with the cultural identities of locals has created a
charming picture that can attract any visitor.
Bui Thi
Hieu, Vice Chairwoman of Da Bac District People's Committee, said that since
2014, the Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific (AFAP)
has supported four households in Ke village (Hien Luong commune) and Duc Phong village
(Tien Phong commune) in building and repairing houses, buying blankets, pillows
and cushions, and in training human resources, community tourism skills for
locals.
Before
2016, to support local people in developing their economy and improving their
living standards, the province had conducted a survey on potential of lakeside
communes to develop a tourism development project. The provincial Department of
Culture, Sports and Tourism had cooperated with other departments and agencies
to restore relic sites on Hoa Binh lake such as Bo temple in Cao Phong and Da
Bac districts, and Hoa Tien cave in Tan Lac district./.
In the first 9 months of 2024, Hoa Binh province continues to implement the expanded tourism development cooperation program plan of 8 Northwest provinces with Ho Chi Minh City; deploying digital transformation content in tourism and developing a smart tourism province. Hoa Binh province received about 3.6 million views, an increase of 7.9% over the same period. In which, international visitors are about 380 visitors, domestic visitors are estimated at 3 million 220 visitors.
Spanning thousands of hectares and winding gracefully along mountain slopes, hillsides, and riverbanks, the terraced rice fields of Lac Son District present a stunning and captivating beauty. This region, renowned for its remarkable terraced landscapes, is also the centre of Hoa Binh Culture known for numerous archaeological sites.
The life of Mong people in Hang Kia and Pa Co communes of Mai Chau district has improved much thanks to tourism development.
The man-made Hoa Binh Lake, with a water surface area of approximately 9,000 hectares and a capacity of 9.45 billion cubic meters, stretches over 200 kilometers from Hoa Binh to Son La provinces. With the goal of developing into a national tourism area, the Hoa Binh Lake tourism area is expected to not only become the largest tourism centre in the province but also one of the 12 key tourist destinations in the northern midland and mountainous region of Vietnam.
Da Bia hamlet, now Duc Phong, in Tien Phong commune, Da Bac district, was once almost isolated from the outside as the only way to the hamlet was to get a boat ride across the Hoa Binh reservoir. However, as its tourism potential has been unleashed, the hamlet has established itself as one of the most attractive destinations on the tourism map. It has even received the ASEAN Community-Based Tourism Awards in 2019.
In the first 9 months of 2024, Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province welcomed over 684 thousand visitors to visit and relax. In which, over 516 thousand domestic visitors and more than 168 thousand international visitors. Total revenue from tourism is estimated at over 821 billion VND.