Bach Ma, "the sacred mountain"

Bach Ma, or Bach Ma National Park, is located about 40 km south of Hue city center. Along with Sa Pa, Tam Dao, Ba Na, and Da Lat, Bach Ma was also a location chosen by the French as a resort, sharing the common characteristic of being situated high in the mountains. However, Bach Ma is completely different from other mountain resorts in Vietnam that were "selected" by the French.

Bach Ma Mountain is not only situated high in the mountains, but also close to the sea. The Tam Giang Lagoon separates the mountains and the ocean. The salty air from the ocean is diluted by the Tam Giang Lagoon before being blown up into the Bach Ma mountains and forests. Therefore, the climate here is ideal for many species of birds, animals, and plants to live and thrive; it is also a haven for nature lovers.

Tran Thien, a native of Dong Ha (Quang Tri province) and currently a reporter for Thua Thien-Hue Radio and Television Station, is one of countless tourists who have "fallen in love" with Bach Ma Mountain. Since his first visit to Bach Ma Mountain in 2016, he has come back every two months, each time for two or three days.

"I travel a lot, but nowhere else gives me the same feeling as Bach Ma," he shared. "Because Bach Ma not only has beautiful scenery, but after each time I'm here, all my stress and fatigue disappear."

"I could spend the whole day sitting at the White Horse Bay Viewpoint. There, you'll see different sunrises and sunsets every time; they're never the same."

"On my first day at Bach Ma in 2016, I found the place so amazing that I decided to stay for two more days. For those two days, I mostly sat in the house on the mountaintop, observing the changing nature of Bach Ma. The sky, the clouds, the scenery... That's when I realized that every five to ten minutes, the landscape of Bach Ma changed. And that's when I decided I would return to Bach Ma many more times."

Describing the White Horse,SurnameThey are often described in words filled with emotion—something that those who have never been there can hardly empathize with. Even majestic and magnificent photographs cannot convey half of the experience.Prettyof this place. So, we invite readers to try experiencing Bach Ma - experiencing pristine nature - through the scenes collected in Tran Thien's "5 Years in Bach Ma".

Additional information

In 1925, during the French colonial period, to protect the White-crested Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi), the local authorities developed and submitted a project to the French Colonial Ministry to establish a 50,000-hectare national park. In 1932, Bach Ma was discovered and a resort project was proposed by Mr. M. Girard, chief engineer of the bridge and road sector of the French colonial government. In 1942, the resort, from an altitude of 1,200 meters to the summit of Bach Ma, was completed with a complex of nearly 139 villas, a market, a post office, a general store, and a 19-kilometer small road connecting the national highway to the Morin Hotel. In addition, the resort also has a system of trails leading to the villas and pristine natural landscapes such as the Vong Hai Dai (Sea View Tower), Forest Park, Da Hat Park, the Indochina Scout Camp, Hoang Yen Stream, Silver Waterfall, Ngu Ho Waterfall, and Do Quyen Waterfall...

During the war against the US, Bach Ma Peak was a crucial military stronghold. In early August 1973, the US established a field helicopter landing pad and landed a battalion of security forces, along with numerous weapons and war equipment, aiming to seize Bach Ma Peak. On September 6, 1973, the main force of the 6th Regiment attacked and occupied Bach Ma Peak to secure the defense and protect the North-South supply route of the liberation army in the Nam Dong and Phu Loc areas. After the victory and taking control of Bach Ma Peak, the Command directed the 5th Battalion of the Tri Thien Military Region to dig a system of fortifications, tunnels, and communication trenches to serve as a combat base and protect Bach Ma Peak. Today, this tunnel system is named Bach Ma Tunnels, a Revolutionary Historical Site that was classified as a National Monument by the State in 2009.

On August 9, 1986, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers signed Decision 194/CT on the establishment of a system of protected forests nationwide, including Bach Ma - Hai Van.

To date, Bach Ma National Park has a total natural area of ​​37,423.10 hectares, located on the administrative border of two provinces, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam.

(according to information)Bach Ma National Park)

Execution: Lam Oanh - Photos: Tran Thien