Binh Lieu has risen to become a favourite tourist attraction for holiday makers over the recent years.

Located more than 200 kilometres from Hanoi, backpackers can choose to go to Binh Lieu by bus or by a motorcycle.

For the first option, visitors can catch a bus at My Dinh or Giap Bat bus stations to travel to Ha Long city, which may cost them from VND120,000 to VND180,000 for a one-way ticket. After arriving Ha Long, they can take a cab to Binh Lieu.

The schedule for the latter option is Hanoi – Highway 1 – Highway 18 – Que Vo (Bac Ninh) – Pha Lai – Sao Do – Dong Trieu (Quang Ninh) – Uong Bi – Ha Long – Bai Chay – Cam Pha – Cua Ong – Mong Duong – Tien Yen – Tien Yen junction: turn left to Highway 18C direction Hoanh Mo border – Binh Lieu town.

“A miniature Sapa” is the most common nickname of Binh Lieu distruct in Quang Ninh province

As tourism has not yet fully developed in Binh Lieu, tourists have only few options for their accommodation. The two most appreciated facilities in the downtown of Binh Lieu are Binh Son hotel, and Bich Dao and Thien Nguyen hostels, where visitors have to pay from VND350,000 to VND400,000 for one room per night.

If visitors want to save their money, Thanh homestay maybe a good suggestion as the facility can accommodate from 30 to 50 people and is equipped with free wifi and basic equipment. The price ranges from just VND30,000 to VND60,000 per person for one-night stay.

There are a number of places to visit for tourists in Binh Lieu, including the ancient village, Khe Van waterfall, Cao Xiem peak, border markers numbered 1300, 1302, 1305 and 1327, and the famous “dinosaur’s spine.”

Cao Xiem peak is a wonderful spot for backpackers to rest amongst the clouds

Dubbed as the replica of the ancient town of Hoi An, the ancient village in Binh Lieu has many enchanting tourist sites such as Ngan Vang, Ngan Chuong and Pac Phe, where visitors can explore the indigenous and unique cultural value of locals.

Khe Van waterfall is 100 metres in height. From the parking area, tourists have to walk along a 3km path to reach the waterfall. The water runs from the Khe Van–Thong Châu mountain range 1,000m above sea level, creating three separate water layers. The site attracts holidaymakers thanks to its picturesque landscape and pristineness.

As it borders China, Binh Lieu has a great number of border markers. They are situated on a mountain road that runs for 50 kilometres and is about 700m above sea level. Among the border markers, visitors shouldn’t miss visiting those numbered 1300, 1302, 1305 and 1327 to grasp panoramic views of the district.

Between milestones 1302 and 1305, travellers will come across the ‘dinosaur’s backbone’, another must-see place for trekkers to Binh Lieu. The path is very challenging but it’s worth a try. Standing in seas of cloud in gentle sunlight, all worries can be swept away.

'Dinosaur’s spine' - A must-see destination for trekkers to Binh Lieu

Siting on the height of 1,429 metres above sea level, Cao Xiem peak is a wonderful spot for backpackers to rest amongst the clouds. Standing on top of Cao Xiem, which is tagged as “the rooftop of Quang Ninh”, visitors can admire the pine forest, green grasses and fields of flowers amidst the cool breeze.

Indigenous food is an indispensable experience for every tourist to a new place. The signature dishes of Binh Lieu include grilled chickens, grill fishes, bamboo shoots, seven-coloured sticky rice, ‘cooc mo’ traditional cake, and vermicelli. Nhan Dan