Boasting a majestic landscape with 47 large and small islands, which spread across five districts and cities in the province and attractive destinations, Hoa Binh Lake tourist site is bustling with tourists in Spring.
Tourists take boat trip for sightseeing and attend Bo temple festival on Hoa Binh Lake tourist site
Since the beginning of the lunar new year, the highlight of visitors’ journey is to check in with the dragon mascot at Hoa Binh Square in Hoa Binh city and visit Hoa Binh Lake tourist site. Currently, there are two main wharves that are available for visitors to tour the site in the Spring, namely Bich Ha Wharf in Hoa Binh city and Thung Nai Wharf in Cao Phong district.
Nguyen Thi Hang, a tourist from Hanoi said this is the first time she has come to Hoa Binh and also her first trip of the new year. Taking a boat ride on Hoa Binh Lake makes her feel pleasant as the scenery is so beautiful, Hang said, adding that the undulating large and small islands remind her of Ha Long Bay.
Hang said that she loves the atmosphere here and she will invite her friends and colleagues to the tourism site with her to have more wonderful experience in the coming time. In addition to the spiritual tourist attractions of Chua Thac Bo Temple, Co Temple and Cau Temple, community-based tourism villages and eco-resorts on Hoa Binh Lake tourist site also lured a lot of visitors. A number of items at Chua Thac Bo Temple have recently been upgraded to create a venue for tourists to worship and sight-seeing, leaving a good impression on visitors.
According to Bui Van Tuyen, Vice Chairman of the Thung Nai communal People's Committee (Cao Phong district), many visitors have arrived at Bo Temple since the first day of the lunar new year. Nearly 100 boats in Thung Nai wharf area operate throughout the day to meet the demand of tourists.
In addition to visiting the Bo temple festival, many tourist delegations book boats to explore Tien Cave, Ngoi Hoa Bay (Tan Lac), Sung island (Da Bac), Ngoc island (Cao Phong), Xoan Retreat, Maida Logde (Da Bac), Mai Chau Hideaway and Ba Khan Village Resort (Mai Chau).
Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Bui Xuan Truong said Hoa Binh Lake tourist site is one of the attractive destinations of the locality and the northwest region, elaborating that it has met three out of five criteria of a national tourist site.
Along with the waterway on the Da River that runs through Hoa Binh, Son La, Dien Bien and Lai Chau provinces, Hoa Binh has opened routes for trekking and cycling along the river in Tan Lac, Mai Chau and Da Bac districts and built a vacation programme with many interesting activities.
The province also strengthens the connection between Hoa Binh Lake tourist site and other destinations in the locality and the northwest route. Apart from tours around Hoa Binh Lake associated with exploring some destinations in Hoa Binh city, the Hoa Binh lake - Bo waterfall – Mieng cave tourist route which connects Hoa Binh and Son La provinces, is also favoured by many tourists.
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.