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Text: Phan Cac Truc
Photos: Le Mont Ba Vi
Visit the countryside
Located just about 60km from the center of Hanoi, the climate is cool even on the hottest days of summer. The road up Ba Vi mountain is lined with lush greenery, and the melodious chirping of birds can be heard in the plum groves. Ba Vi National Park is a place where you can listen to the majestic yet poetic sounds of the mountains and forests, hear the legend of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh from the founding days of the nation, and touch the clouds at the summit of the temple dedicated to Saint Tan Vien – one of the four immortals of Vietnam.
In the small van heading up the mountain, the driver's eyes were fixed straight ahead, his hands skillfully steering the vehicle through the winding, twisting curves like the spirals children used to play in the 90s. Those visiting for the first time will be amazed by a kingdom of plants with over 1,000 different species, including many rare ones such as: cypress, honey rosewood, three-pointed hazel, white-striped chestnut, fairy flower, tiger beard, golden thread... all belonging to Ba Vi National Park.
The most popular attraction for young people is the aster and cactus nursery, home to over 1200 cactus varieties, housed in an abandoned greenhouse. Uncared for, the cacti thrive and grow, some reaching enormous heights, sometimes as tall as two or three adults. Summer, from June to September, is the best time for camping by campfire with family or simply relaxing amidst the clouds and mountains.
Where time stands still in the ancient bricks.
Ba Vi is not only beautiful because of the ancient stories of Son Tinh and Princess Ngoc Hoa, and the Van Lang culture of the 18th Hung King's reign, but it is also a place where you can trace the traces of time. These include a 100-year-old road built during the Indochina era, a revolutionary historical site at the 600m elevation, a resort villa for high-ranking French officers at the 800m elevation, and other structures such as a ruined church, a helicopter landing pad, and an orchid garden…
From Cau Giay, go to Xuan Khanh town, past Tam My market for about 200m, there is a left turn onto the concrete road leading to Ba Vi National Park. Cross the 400m elevation and continue for another 1.5 km to the intersection. Follow the signs "600m elevation historical site" straight to reach LeMont Ba Vi.
I particularly like the 600s. In the 600s, you can visit the French colonel's residence, almost entirely demolished, but the surrounding stone walls, gun emplacements, and exquisitely tiled floors remain. These tiles, with their thick glaze and intricate patterns characteristic of the French colonial era, are still a source of inspiration. Young people even collect them. These tiles were once a luxury item, only used in mansions, residences, and government buildings. After laying the tiles, the workers would apply grated coconut pulp to the floor for several days to allow the raw coconut oil to penetrate the tiles, making them even shinier. Nearly a century later, the remaining tiles are still as bright and clear as ever.
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Cote 600 also features LeMont Ba Vi – the highest point in the area, offering a relaxing getaway for you and your family in the nostalgic atmosphere of the 1940s. LeMont, in Old French, means "Mountain." This is the only place that still preserves and restores many ancient architectural structures for visitors. On a summer weekend morning, you can come here to sunbathe, swim in the rooftop pool, or simply enjoy a peaceful day amidst the old mansion, strolling along the reddish-brown stone walls from the Indochina era. Le Mont Ba Vi is a place where travelers can journey back in time, discovering what was once a high-class resort and summer camp for the children of French officers, nobles, and officials, nestled in a natural forest with oak, chestnut, and wild orchids.
Continuing with Part 2:
https://vntravellive.com/news/den-ba-vi-an-banh-uong-sua-nghi-duong-kieu-phap-phan-2-13397.html
