In Quang Tri, let's go trekking together up the Xa Reng grass hill and camp.

"Discovery" of the most beautiful Xa Reng grass hill in western Quang Tri.

When mentioning Quang Tri, especially Khe Sanh, many people immediately think of a land preserving the poignant imprints of history and war. However, besides its sacred values, Quang Tri also possesses pristine, majestic natural beauty and a unique cultural identity. And Xa Reng is a prime example of this.

Xa Reng is an emerging destination that attracts tourists with its pristine, peaceful mountain and forest beauty. It captivates visitors not only with its lush green meadows stretching like a prairie but also with its fresh, cool air and genuine, hospitable people.

“Tourism in Khe Sanh has been developing recently and is becoming more well-known to tourists. And Xa Reng is a rather unique and different trekking destination in the Central region, so I think it will attract tourists – those who are passionate about exploration,” said Truong Sinh.

According to Mr. Truong Sinh, from the center of Khe Sanh town, you can travel by car or motorbike to Ra Ly - Rao village, Huong Son commune, Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province. After arriving at Ra Ly - Rao village, you follow the concrete road up to the fields of the local people to reach the forest entrance. From the forest entrance, you begin your trekking journey to the top of Xa Reng hill, about 2.5 km away.

It is known that Xa Reng Hill is the familiar name of the local people. However, the correct name of this hill is Xa Trang, according to information from the Huong Son commune government. Xa Trang was "discovered" by Mr. Truong Sinh and his group of friends who are passionate about exploration and trekking in the summer of 2023. The origin of the name Xa Reng comes from the pronunciation of the local people, gradually changing to Xa Reng or Xa Rieng when translated into Vietnamese.

Truong Sinh shared that the journey to explore Xa Reng was inspired by a post from a close friend who happened to see a lush green meadow on a distant hill at the foot of Ra Ly village. After inquiring with locals, his friend learned that this was a grazing area for cattle. It was the pristine, peaceful beauty of the place that motivated Truong Sinh and his group of friends to set off to explore it.

Related articles

An adventure through the wilderness, conquering 10 km of Cat Ba's primeval forest.

The secret to overcoming personal limits of a female lawyer passionate about conquering heights.

A 9 km trekking adventure to conquer the "green paradise" of Xa Reng.

With a total main trekking distance of only about 9 km (which can be extended to 14 to 16 km), and an elevation difference of about 300 m from the starting point to the highest point, Xa Reng is an easy trekking route that almost anyone can conquer, even those with poor physical fitness.

This is an ideal destination for those who love trekking and want to experience the majestic natural beauty of the mountains and forests of Quang Tri. According to Mr. Truong Sinh, as long as you have a habit of regular exercise, you can confidently conquer this trekking route.

Standing atop Xa Reng hill, visitors are immersed in a magnificent and majestic natural landscape, offering a sense of awe and extraordinary peace. Before you lies a lush green meadow stretching out like a vast, boundless prairie, reminiscent of scenes from movies. In the distance, the rolling mountain ranges, shrouded in clouds, and the giant wind turbines rotating create a breathtaking and poetic natural scene.

To your left and behind you are the pristine old-growth forests of the Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, offering a fresh, cool, and incredibly peaceful atmosphere. The chirping of birds, the babbling of streams, and the rustling of the wind in the trees create a wonderful symphony of nature. Gazing at this unspoiled natural scenery, you will feel relaxed, refreshed, and full of energy.

The highlight of the Xa Reng trek is its diverse terrain and vegetation. Along the way, you'll experience everything from lush green meadows to dense primeval forests. At the end of the trek conquering the majestic Xa Reng hills, visitors will "enjoy" a wonderful gift from nature – the clear, cool waters of Ra Ly Waterfall. Like a "therapy" to restore the body after hours of tiring trekking, Ra Ly Waterfall offers visitors a feeling of refreshment, relaxation, and renewed energy.

In particular, when camping on the hilltop, you'll be able to admire the brilliant sunrise in the morning, the romantic sunset in the afternoon, and the shimmering lights of the distant wind farm at night. Furthermore, if you're lucky, you might even have the chance to witness stunning cloud formations. In the evening, you can gather with friends around a warm campfire, listen to stories about the culture and history of the heroic Khe Sanh region, and enjoy delicious local specialties of the Van Kieu people.

As someone with extensive experience trekking in the Xa Reng grassland area, Mr. Truong Sinh shares the following tips:

- When trekking in Xa Reng, tourists should pay close attention to environmental hygiene, especially avoiding leaving plastic waste on the hill.

- You should bring enough water for the entire trip because there is no water on the hill and the stream is at the foot of the hill quite far away, so fetching it will be difficult.

- Please contact the local people or Khe Sanh Discovery for assistance and guidance, as there are many trails up there that are very easy to get lost on.

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Phuong Mai