Hoa Binh Province: inspirational travel

Tag : Specialty Fabric


chain of mountains that stretch to the horizon. The region alsofeatures fanciful grottoes, rocky streams and impressive waterfallsthat look like a fairyland on earth.
The first must-see attraction is the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant.Located on the gigantic Da River, this hydro-electric power plantis the largest in Vietnam. The plant has eight generators, eachwith capacity of 240,000 kilowatts.
Built between 1979 and 1994 with assistance from the former SovietUnion, the power plant has made an enormous contribution toVietnams economic development. Standing in front of such anadmirable man-made structure makes one feel very small.
A boat tour on Hoa Binh Lake, formed when the river was dammed forthe power plant, is also a wonderful experience. An expedition onthe lake offers a first-hand view of Muong and Dao villages on thebank.
The local specialty dish is com lam, sticky rice cooked in bambootubes, and grilled meat. Visitors can enjoy such a meal, served ona large banana leaf, while admiring the wild natural beauty aroundthe lake.
Hoa Binh is a multicultural region. Apart from the Kinh (Viet)group, there are five major ethnic minorities: Muong, Thai, Tay,Dao and H'Mong living together across the region.
The trip to the northwest highlands of Mai Chau offers a balance ofculture and adventure, amid some of northern Vietnam's moststunning scenery. Locate about 135 kilometers from Hanoi and 60kilometers from Hoa Binh Town, Mai Chau Valley is home to manyethnic minorities, including the white Thai. From the top of CunMountain, you can view a beautiful panorama of the lush greenvalley peopled with stilt houses.
At Lac Village, you will see stilt houses on both sides of theroads. The houses are quite large with palm leaf roofs and polishedbamboo-slat floors. The kitchen is located in the center of thehouse, where food is cooked and the colorful tho cam (ethnicfabric) is made.
The Sunday market brings a lot of people into town. People fromdifferent minorities living in the mountains come to Mai Chaumarket to sell honey, bananas, corn and tho cam. The Sunday marketis also an occasion to enjoy traditional Thai dishes and toparticipate in traditional dances.
For an overnight stay in Mai Chau, do not miss the nightlyperformances which display the regions cultural diversity andrecreation activities. Performances usually include dances andsongs that portray the lives of farmers and the phases of a ricegrowing year - sowing rice seeds, harvesting, a farmerscelebration of a productive season. Audience members are ofteninvited to join the bamboo dance, and then try some traditionalcereal wine, a light and sweet wine.
About 70 kilometers from Hanoi and 30 kilometers from Hoa BinhTown, Kim Boi Hot Spring is a simple, peaceful and leafy touristsite. Visitors can stay at an 83-room guesthouse or houses modeledon Muong houses.
Visitors can enjoy northwest mountainous specialties at the localrestaurant such as: scorched pig; chicken broth with bamboo shoots;goat milk; and special com lam. All will give visitors an appetitethey have never had before.
When night falls, visitors can catch a glimpse of the Muong gongculture, try the bamboo pole dance (mua sap) and drink local wine(ruou can) by the campfire.
Long famous for its diverse cultures and breathtaking naturalviews, Hoa Binh Province is a worthwhile tourist spot in the northof Vietnam. Just 75 kilometers from Hanoi, the region opens awindow on a world where modern and traditional features go hand inhand.
And when you return to Hoa Binh to find a little peace in yoursoul, take a motorcycle tour to discover what you had missed inthis wonderland on your first visit.
Reported by Phan Huy Tram