In the middle of the legendary Da River lake
Those who have read "The Ferryman of the Da River" must remember the image of the river, both fierce and lyrical, through the pen of Nguyen Tuan. The Da River today has become a vast lake with the three largest hydroelectric plants in the country. During the hydroelectric plant's water storage season, the lake surface is over 5 km wide in some places with hundreds of large and small islands hidden under the clear water, covered by a rich natural vegetation creating a green landscape all year round, likened to a miniature Ha Long in the mountains and forests of the Northwest.
Along the lake, the natural scenery is extremely beautiful.
People grow vegetables and fruit trees in some areas, creating green patches with various shades.
Resorts along the Da River in Son La and Hoa Binh offer many services such as boating, rafting, kayaking, trekking...
Many tourists like to stroll around the lake in the summer, because of the vivid, fresh natural scenery and the cool, fresh air on the lake. But many people also like to go boating on the lake in the fall or early winter. The late autumn sun is brighter, the green of the leaves is also darker, the lake surface is also clearer. Amidst the golden sunlight, green forest, the limestone islands stand out on the lake surface, under the clear blue sky, creating an extremely impressive scene for anyone who sets foot here.
The afternoon on the Da River reminds us of the charming scenery of Ha Long Bay.
Sitting on a boat in the middle of the clear blue lake, you can relax and watch the limestone mountains reflected on the peaceful lake surface, like a charming ink painting. If you want, you can stop by the villages of the Muong or Dao ethnic groups for lunch or overnight stay, you can watch the sunset gradually behind the mountains by the lake, and the white mist gradually rising, enjoy the typical dishes of the people here, and forget all the hustle and bustle of the city behind.
Drifting on Nho Que River
Nho Que River originates from China, enters Vietnam, flows through Ha Giang and Cao Bang provinces. Nho Que River is beautiful everywhere, but the most captivating part is the head of the river flowing from Seo Lung village in Lung Cu commune through Tu San gorge, one of the deepest gorges in Southeast Asia with unique geological structure.
Nho Que River flows into Seo Lung village (Lung Cu, Dong Van, Ha Giang) at boundary marker 428
Tu San Gorge has steep mountains on both sides of the river.
That makes Nho Que River one of the most beautiful river boating destinations in Vietnam. You can choose to go by motorboat or rowboat to admire the stunning beauty that nature has bestowed on this place. The water on the river is emerald green, the water surface is calm and poetic, the scenery on both sides of the river is proud, steep rocky mountains, covered with grass and moss, contemplative and quiet, has painted a beautiful scene.
Take a boat ride to see the full beauty of this place.
Walking along the river, you can sometimes see images of highlanders working hard on their fields or simply a fisherman sitting leisurely and relaxed fishing.
Ripe rice season on Ngo Dong river
Ngo Dong is a small river flowing through Ninh Binh province, across the majestic green limestone mountains, and is also the only waterway that takes tourists to visit Tam Coc, a mountainous and watery area that is considered a "Ha Long Bay on land". At the end of May and the beginning of June, many tourists choose Tam Coc - Bich Dong - Ngo Dong as a place to wander and sightsee, because of the fresh air and beautiful nature of this place.
This is also the time when the rice on both banks of the Ngo Dong River begins to ripen. Among the boats taking tourists for sightseeing are heavy rice boats hurriedly carrying rice back. Wherever the land rises to form banks, people also place rice threshing machines, and wherever they harvest, they thresh the rice to get the rice and drop the straw all over the riverbank. At the bottom of the clear water, you can clearly see the fishing boats, catching shrimp and prawns nestled among the grass and green algae. The beautiful nature, peaceful life, makes tourists leisurely let their souls wander and dream...
Listening to Hue songs on the Perfume River
Anyone who has ever sailed on the Perfume River will surely find it hard to forget the captivating Hue songs. This is a musical genre imbued with traditional features in Hue, including singing and playing instruments, formed from two streams of folk and royal music. Hue songs have an extremely diverse and rich repertoire system including about 60 vocal and instrumental works in two major modes: the Northern and Southern modes. The Northern modes are songs with cheerful, solemn melodies while the Southern modes are melodies containing sad, mournful, and lamenting emotions.
In the past, sitting on a dragon boat on the Perfume River and listening to Hue folk songs were elegant pleasures, usually reserved for kings. Today, dragon boats have become a unique means of transport for tourists. During the day, you can take a boat to visit famous sights in Hue, such as Thien Mu Pagoda, Hon Chen Palace, Khai Dinh Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb... When the brilliant sunset stretches out, you will feel the peace when looking down at the calm flowing water. If you take a cruise in the evening, the image of the city at night appearing under thousands of twinkling stars and the shimmering, magical light of Truong Tien Bridge is enough to captivate people's hearts.
Colors of Hoi An on Hoai River
Coming to Hoi An, right in the heart of the ancient town is the poetic Hoai River flowing into it. You will easily come across boatmen taking tourists on the river. No matter when you come, you can experience this romantic service. From early morning until late at night, there are always boatmen ready to serve the needs of tourists to watch the sunrise or the beauty of the ancient town when it lights up.
The boats used to transport passengers on the river are completely rowed by hand, without using any mechanical engines, so you will feel the peaceful atmosphere of the old town. You will be able to admire the scenery on both sides of the river with hundreds of years old houses, bustling people walking. While sitting on the boat, you can also listen to stories from the boatman about Hoi An and life here. This experience is even more wonderful when you go boating in the evening. The lantern light shining on the sparkling river and the flower lanterns floating on the water will be an unforgettable impression in the hearts of visitors.
Flood season in Tra Su Melaleuca forest
If you have the opportunity to travel to An Giang during the flood season, remember to explore Tra Su Melaleuca Forest to experience the feeling of sailing on the green canals. Tra Su Melaleuca Forest is an ecological forest with a total area of up to 845 hectares, with vast Melaleuca trees, bearing a simple and rustic beauty, typical of the Southwest river.
Tra Su Melaleuca Forest is home to many precious species of animals and plants.
Occasionally there is a bamboo bridge across the canal connecting the two forests.
The flood season, from July to October of the lunar calendar, is the most ideal time to travel to Tra Su. You will experience the feeling of sitting on a sampan, weaving through the intricate canals inside the cajuput forest. When the floodwaters rise, green duckweed covers the water surface. Under the water is green duckweed, above are cool cajuput leaves, creating a poetic and romantic space.
Rest stop in the Melaleuca forest
The flood season is also the time when the West has many delicious dishes such as sour soup with linh fish and water mimosa flowers, linh fish braised in pineapple... All are famous specialties, not to be missed when you come to An Giang.
Go to the West to visit Cai Rang floating market
Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho province is a famous river market model that has been around for generations among the people of Tay Do. Going to Cai Rang floating market, you will not be able to see the clear blue water because the river contains a lot of alluvium. But the most attractive feature of this market is the brilliant colors of fruits and vegetables from the garden.
To admire the beauty of Cai Rang floating market, you have to go early in the morning to be able to catch the working moments of the people of the Western river region. Some people load goods, some row boats, others are busy trading agricultural products typical of the delta. In addition, there are mobile "food shops", selling all kinds of delicious dishes such as noodles, rice noodles, bread, coffee... serving people who go to work early and tourists visiting the floating market. Although it is hard work and tiring, smiles are always on their lips, open and friendly with tourists. All of them paint a bustling, vibrant scene very unique to the floating market on the river.
Nowadays, Cai Rang floating market has become a famous river boating destination throughout the West. Tourists can choose to go by small rowing boats or by motorboat if you are traveling in a large group. When visiting the market, do not forget to bring money so you can buy many agricultural products as gifts or choose to enjoy Can Tho's typical delicacies right on the river.
