Hoa Binh Lake, the largest man-made reservoir in Southeast Asia, spans 70 kilometers and covers 17 communes in five districts and cities of Hoa Binh Province. The lake is home to 47 islands, including 11 limestone islands (116 hectares) and 36 soil-mountain islands (nearly 160 hectares).

A Magnet for Tourism

Over the years, Hoa Binh Lake has become a popular tourist destination. Its breathtaking scenery, coupled with the unique culture of ethnic groups such as the Muong, Tay, Dao, and Thai, creates opportunities for various types of tourism, including eco-tourism, cultural exploration, and community-based tourism.

The lake is also renowned for its spiritual sites, such as Thac Bo Temple, Co Temple, Cau Temple, and the King Le Stele, which hold deep cultural and spiritual significance. These locations have become pilgrimage sites for visitors from near and far.

From ports such as Bich Ha (Thai Thinh Commune, Hoa Binh City), Thung Nai (Thung Nai Commune, Cao Phong District), or Hien Luong (Hien Luong Commune, Da Bac District), tourists can embark on modern boats to visit spiritual landmarks around the lake.

Thac Bo Temple and Festival: Located in Cao Phong and Da Bac Districts, Thac Bo Temple is part of a cluster of historical sites, including Thac Bo Cave (Ngoi Hoa Commune, Tan Lac District).

The annual Thac Bo Temple Festival runs from the 7th day of the lunar new year until the end of March, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors for sightseeing, prayers, and celebrations.

Thac Bo Cave: A national scenic site, Thac Bo Cave lies in the Chua Mountain range by the lake in Ngoi Hoa Commune. The cave features magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, resembling sparkling diamonds, with stunning natural formations like stone gongs and harps.

Chuong Port: Located in Hien Luong Commune, Da Bac District, this peaceful and scenic area honors Dinh Thi Van, a local heroine who aided King Le in repelling invaders. To commemorate her contributions, she was granted the title "Lady of Thac Bo." An annual festival from the 7th to the 9th day of the lunar new year celebrates her legacy.

Tourism Development

Each year, Hoa Binh Lake welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors for sightseeing and spiritual tourism. To accommodate the growing number of tourists, the province has 269 watercraft operating on the lake, including 33 multipurpose vessels.

To further enhance tourism, Hoa Binh Province is working with ministries to plan 40 inland ports across Da Bac, Cao Phong, Tan Lac, and Mai Chau Districts, including 15 passenger ports and 25 combined-use ports. Additionally, five major ports - Ngoai Hoa Bay, Ba Cap, Bich Ha, Thung Nai, and Sung Island - are being developed.

Hoa Binh Lake is striving to meet the criteria for a national tourism area, aiming to become one of the 12 key tourism hubs in the midland and northern mountainous regions. The focus is on offering unique experiences tied to the lake’s ecosystem and ethnic cultures.

With ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure, attract investment, and diversify tourism products, Hoa Binh Lake is positioning itself as a premier destination for both domestic and international tourists.

Thanh Son