Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved the tasks for the planning of the Hoa Binh lake national tourism site to 2035.

A tourists' boat on Hoa Binh Lake (Photo: baohoabinh.com.vn)

Accordingly, the planning of Hoa Binh lake national tourism site in Hoa Binh province aims to put into details the overall development blueprint for the tourism site to 2030.

In addition, the regional planning aims to develop the site into a key destination in the northern mid-land and mountainous region with unique tourism products associated with the Muong ethnic culture and the rich ecological system in the lake.

The planning tasks include defining the directions for land use, social and technical infrastructure, environmental sanitation, and services for the tourism site. In addition, the planning should also design connectivity between the site and other scenic spots and tourism sites in the region.

There will be several steps to deploy this plan, including analysis and evaluation on the natural condition, the socio-economic, tourism status and the cultural characteristics of the Hoa Binh lake national site.

Under the approved planning tasks, the Hoa Binh lake national tourism site is located in Hoa Binh town (Thai Thinh commune and Thai Binh, Phuong Lam, Tan Thinh wards) and four districts namely Da Bac (Dong Ruong, Yen Hoa, Cao Son, Tien Phong Vay Nua, Hien Luong and Toan Son communes), Cao Phong (Binh Thanh and Thung Nai communes), Tan Lac (Ngoi Hoa, Phu Vinh and Trung Hoa communes), and Mai Chau (Tan Dan, Tan Mai, Phuc San, Dong Bang and Ba Khan communes).

According to the plan, the Hoa Binh lake will be the main tourism site of the northern mid-land and mountainous region with the typical tourism products characterised by the local Muong ethnic culture and the lake’s ecological system. In addition, the site also has many functions such as generating electricity, providing water, controlling flood and preserving water resources.

Spanning 70km along 17 communes in five districts and cities, Ho Binh lake was built during the construction of the 1,920MW Hoa Binh hydropower plant, which is also a popular tourist destination, in 1979-1994. It has 8,000 hectares of surface area and a capacity of 9.5 billion cubic meters.

With its special location within the northern tourism region and next to Hanoi, the lake has high potential for tourism development thanks to its perse landscapes with various islands, as well as unique culture of ethnic minority groups living in surrounding areas.

A bird’s eye view of Hoa Binh lake.

MANY INTERESTING TOURISM DESTINATIONS

Hoa Binh lake has 47 islands in the inside of lake, including 11 limestone islands with the area of 116 hectares and 36 mountainous islands with the area of nearly 160 hectares. Hoa Binh Lake is a perfect combination of wild and passionate natures. The inside of lake consists of many small islands which contain potentials and advantages of developing types of tourism such as cultural, historical, ecological and spiritual tourisms.

Thung Nai is the ideal place for the tourists who want to enjoy the wild beauty and fresh water scenery of Hoa Binh lake, etc. Thung Nai is located in the heart of the large Da River Lake, with rock islands or bushy jungles. Thung Nai is beautiful to the heart, the surface of the lake ripples early in the morning or the sunshine is covering the red water at the sunset.

In Thung Nai, there is not only beautiful landscapes but also many historical and cultural sites. You can go to Thac Bo floating market on the weekend to feel the life of people living near the lake area.

Situated next to Thung Nai, the Temple of Thac Bo God - a spiritual destination cannot be missed when visiting, sightseeing, and walking around Hoa Binh Lake. Visiting Bo Temple - Thac Bo cave, visitors can learn about the culture, living activities, production, life of local people, enjoying the special taste of fish dishes of Da river, tasting the specialties of the mountain forests, such as steamed chicken with lemon leaves, local pork grilled with honey served on banana leaves, boiled bamboo shoots, steam rice, Tao Meo wine, steamed forest vegetables with fish sauce, etc. These bring unforgetable impression after the discovery of Thac Bo waterfall.

Another place is Dua island, which is not far from Bo Temple. This is one of the most beautiful islands in Hoa Binh area. Besides Dua Island, tourists can choose the surrounding tourist destinations such as Coi Xay Gio island, Xanh island, Ngoc island, etc. to be able to experience nature, culture, enjoying the food and specialities of the local host inviting, such as smoked fish, wild vegetables with fish sauce, grilled pork, etc., which are all clean and leave the unforgettable taste.

On the area of the lake, visitors can visit, stay in the community tourism villages, which are still wild and preserved with national identities such as Ngoi village, Ngoi Hoa commune; Ke village, Hien Luong commune; Da Bia village, Tien Phong commune, etc./.

VNF