Exploring the Poetic Beauty of Thung Nai

The picturesque landscapes of Northwest Vietnam are known for famous tourist destinations such as Sapa, Ha Giang, Dien Bien, and Lai Chau, with images of terraced rice fields hidden in the mist of mountain passes or the echoing songs and flute melodies of ethnic minorities during festivals. However, few people know about another place in Northwest Vietnam that also possesses a poetic and romantic beauty, with clear blue skies and vast bodies of water that make you want to immerse yourself in the expansive nature. That place is Thung Nai scenic area.

The name Thung Nai (Deer Valley) might initially evoke images of a remote, secluded place, but in reality, it 's only about 100 km from Hanoi and less than 25 km from the center of Hoa Binh City. Thung Nai is a beautiful scenic spot with picturesque mountains and rivers, one of the most charming in the heart of the Da River reservoir. It's called Thung Nai because in the past, many deer lived in this valley. Every day, herds of deer frolicked and grazed on the mountain slopes and hillsides, thus giving rise to the name Thung Nai (meaning "valley of deer"). Today, although there are no more deer here, the locals still cannot forget the captivating beauty of the natural scenery from that time.

After the Hoa Binh hydroelectric dam came into operation, the Da River flooded the valleys, transforming this area into a stunning freshwater "Ha Long Bay", where the inhabitants are mainly Muong people and the Muong villages remain largely unspoiled by urbanization.

The natural scenery of Thung Nai is still quite pristine but stunning, with fresh air. The most beautiful sight is the lake itself. The vast lake is surrounded by mountain ranges of various shapes, its emerald green water reflecting the white clouds in the blue sky. Hundreds of large and small "islands"-mountains and hills submerged by the damming of the Da River for the Hoa Binh hydroelectric power plant -rise above the lake, creating a miniature Ha Long Bay in the highlands of Hoa Binh.

In Thung Nai, one can easily spot small islands rising from the water, babbling streams, scattered stilt houses and tiny boats, and the rhythmic sound of oars from the locals. On rainy days, the lake's surface is a reddish hue from the silt. On sunny days, the lake's clear blue waters reflect the mountains and sky. A must-see at the Thac Bo floating market in Thung Nai. The market only meets in the morning and closes quite early, around 8 a.m., when the crowds thin out. The busiest time is the Sunday morning market, attracting numerous trading boats from the surrounding area.

The Thac Bo floating market is held on weekends and Sunday mornings.
After visiting the floating market, tourists will head to Song village to visit the famous and sacred Thac Bo Temple. The temple is about a 20-minute boat ride from Binh Thanh port. Legend says that two women, one Muong and one Dao, helped King Le Thai To and his army provide supplies and boats, navigating hundreds of treacherous rapids to quell the rebellion at Deo Cat Han in 1431. After their deaths, the king ordered the construction of a temple to commemorate their contributions. The old temple is now submerged dozens of meters under the water of the hydroelectric reservoir. Today, the temple is always bustling with pilgrims coming to worship and participate in spirit medium rituals. Local people regularly offer incense and pray for the two women's blessings for their lives navigating the Da River. To this day, this custom continues, and many tourists and locals alike come to light incense, offer prayers, and make offerings at the temple.

Located a 10-minute boat ride from the Lady Goddess Temple, visitors can reach Thac Bo Cave, a national heritage site since 2008. If the water level is high, boats can be taken deep into the cave for sightseeing. If the water is low, visitors can stroll through the cave, walking on bamboo bridges to explore its beauty. Deep within the cave, stretching over 100 meters, lies a multitude of strangely shaped stalactites. Tapping them produces various sounds, which the local Muong people believe are as beautiful as the sounds of their gongs and drums.

From Thac Bo Temple, traveling by boat upstream towards Son La, visitors can visit Ngoi Hoa Lake or explore the villages of the Muong and Dao ethnic groups... Thung Nai offers many fascinating things for tourists to visit, discover, and relax. Particularly noteworthy are the unique culture of the Muong people and their unforgettable cuisine, including grilled Muong pork wrapped in mac mat leaves, grilled, smoked, or sour-cooked Da River fish, and the intoxicating rice wine that warms even the chilly highlands of Thung Nai.

Perhaps Thung Nai isn't suited for boisterous, noisy entertainment activities; instead, it offers moments of relaxation with family and friends, admiring the stunning natural scenery. Visiting Thung Nai is like returning to nature, enjoying the fresh air and savoring delicious local specialties of the Northwest mountains. Come to Thung Nai once to experience the gentle melodies and sounds of life, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the outside world to find inner peace.

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