(HBO) – With the poetic beauty described as a miniature Ha Long Bay, Hoa Binh Lake and the relic site of Bo Temple in Thung Nai commune (Cao Phong district) and Vay Nua commune (Da Bac district) offer visitors a chance to be engulfed in nature with countless islets on the vast lake.
On the banks of this lake, there are villages of Muong and
Dao people where the traditional cultural identities of the ethnic groups are
still preserved today. Particularly, since the Prime Minister approved the
building of Hoa Binh Lake into a national tourist site, the place has received
investment to become an ecological and spiritual tourism area that has proved
increasingly attractive to travellers. Among destinations in this area, Bo
Temple stands out amid the grandeur landscape.
Bo Temple stands out amid the grandeur landscape.
In the spring, Bo Temple welcomes thousands of
visitors each day.
People pray for wealth, health and safety in the New
Year.
Grilled fish of the Da River is a famous delicacy that
every visitor to Bo Temple wants to taste and buy.
.
Boats carry visitors on sightseeing tours of the lake.
Thanks to its beauty, Hoa Binh Lake is described as a
miniature Ha Long Bay.
Bo Temple, also known as the Temple of the Lord
of Bo Waterfall, is associated with the story about King Le Loi’s trip to put
down a revolt in the spring of 1431. Legend has it that when the king’s troops
arrived in the Bo Waterfall area, they received support from locals, including
Dinh Thi Van – a Muong ethnic woman in the land which is now Vay Nua commune.
She called on other people to donate food to the troops and took them by boat to
quell the rebellion. Due to her great contributions, after Van passed away,
King Le Loi ordered locals to build a temple dedicated to her in the Bo
Waterfall area, and it has become a popular place of worship of local
residents. Bo Temple comprises Trinh and Chau temples and features 38 statues
of all sizes.
Every year, the Bo Temple festival lasts from
the second day of the first lunar month through the third lunar month. Thanks
to the imposing landscape and the temple’s sacredness, the site welcomes
thousands of visitors coming from far and wide each day in the spring to pray
for health, safety and happiness for each family and peace and tranquility of
soul in the New Year./.
Covering an area of over 52,000 hectares spanning districts of Mai Chau, Tan Lac, Cao Phong, Da Bac, and Hoa Binh City, Hoa Binh lake has strong potential for tourism development. In recent years, thanks to the attention of local Party Committees and authorities as well as support from international organisations, the advantages of tourism in the lake area have been utilised.
Mai Chau is a mountainous district and home to many ethnic groups such as Thai, Muong, Kinh, Mong, Dao, and Tay with distinctive cultural identities, creating a diverse and unique cultural treasure. Aware of its advantages, the district has paid attention to the preservation and promotion of ethnic groups’ cultural values so that culture will become a leverage for tourism and contribute to socio-economic development and life quality improvement.
According to the Hoa Binh provincial Department of Planning and Investment, in Hoa Binh Lake tourist area, there are currently 16 licensed or certified service, cultural and tourism investment projects with a land use area of about 1,444 hectares, and a total capital of over 3.3 trillion VND (133.5 million USD). In addition to investment attraction, the province is speeding up the implementation of projects so as to realise a goal of developing Hoa Binh Lake tourist area into a national one.
These days, tourist attractions in Mai Chau district, especially those highlighted by the charming and romantic white Ban (Bauhinia) flower blossoms, are attracting a large number of visitors from across the country. Visiting these sites, tourists can immerse themselves in the pristine and majestic beauty of nature.
.jpg)
