Explore the Charm of Da Bac: A Hidden Gem in Hoa Binh Vietnam

Nestled in Hoa Binh, Da Bac may not be a familiar name to many travelers. In this article, let's visit Da Bac together and explore what this hidden gem has to offer!

Best time to visit Da Bac

Summer is the best season to visit Da Bac to avoid the heat and enjoy swimming and boating.
Da Bac has an average elevation of roughly 500m, which is not particularly high, yet the climate is nevertheless relatively cool due to its proximity to the Hoa Binh lake bed area. This location is ideal for cooling off on hot days in the north.
You can go to Da Bac to avoid the heat between May and August, but keep in mind that this is the rainy season in the north, so keep an eye on the weather. When it rains, getting to this place is difficult and risky owing to landslides.
From September to the end of the year, the weather is typically dry, cool, and getting colder. At the moment, visiting Da Bac is primarily for rest and eating, and it is not suited for sports such as swimming or kayaking.

How to get to Da Bac

Private vehicles

You can move to Da Bac on your own if you have a personal vehicle handy. From Hanoi, you can drive on Thang Long Avenue, where motorbikes can be seen on the side road. Then, go straight until you reach an intersection of ethnic cultural villages. From there, take the new path to Hoa Binh, which is only an hour away. You'll be in the city of Hoa Binh. You have to take Provincial Road 433 to get to Da Bac; it's the only way to get to that area. The trip to Hien Luong commune takes about 30 km, and the trip to Tien Phong commune takes about 50 km. A lot of this road is still being built, so travel speeds can't be very fast.

By Bus

Buses to Hoa Binh run continually from Hanoi; these buses usually depart from the Yen Nghia bus terminal. If you are traveling from another bus terminal, you can take passenger buses to Son La or Dien Bien; however, remember to take a bus during the day.

By Boat

When traveling by public transportation from Hoa Binh to Da Bac, the waterway is the most convenient option because it allows you to view the lake. The port of Bich Ha is located in the city center (near the hydroelectric dam). Boats provide tourism services for lake exploration. Famous Da Bac community tourism communes such as Hien Luong and Tien Phong can be reached from here.

By Taxi

If you travel by group of 4-5 people, you can take a taxi from the city center to favored Da Bac areas such as Hien Luong or Tien Phong. The distance is approximately 30-50km, and the taxi fee will most likely vary between 100,000 to 150,000 per person.

Geographical Location of Da Bac

Da Bac is a Hoa Binh highland district that borders Phu Tho and Son La. This is the province's largest district, yet it faces numerous challenges. The only road linking Hoa Binh City and Hoa Binh City is Provincial Road 433. flows throughout the district.

Da Bac is located at an average elevation of 560 meters above sea level, with many mountains rising beyond 1,000 meters. Da Bac's geography alternates between mountains, hills, rivers, and streams, generating many narrow strips. Because this is the confluence of the Northwest and Northeast areas, many distinct cultural streams collide, resulting in the uniqueness and attractiveness of this land.

Da Bac is known as a district with rich and appealing resources, including majestic mountainous terrain with a beautiful cave system, large and small islands on Hoa Binh Lake, and a diverse and rich natural forest ecosystem, as well as the rich culture of the Tay, Muong, and Dao ethnic groups. There are various natural tourist sites in the area, as well as humanistic tourism resources with unique tangible and intangible cultural characteristics, such as Thac Bo temple, relics history of the Muong Diem conflict zone, Tu Luong historical site, Toan Son guerilla team, Le Loi stele... The Dao, Tay, and Muong ethnic communities in the district still retain many distinctive cultural elements in their lifestyles and activities; all of these factors are particularly conducive for establishing community tourism in Da Bac.

Things To Do In Da Bac

Trekking

It is impossible for young adventurers who love discovery to pass up the opportunity to go trekking on the spectacular mountain paths during a trip to á Bc. You'll be able to tackle untamed routes, immerse yourself in nature and trees, and breathe in the clean air of this location.

The walking routes in La Bc follow the slopes and transport tourists from one tourist village to the next. Because there isn't much climbing involved, the trekking trails are rather easy. Furthermore, the majority of the trekking trails run beside intercommunal roads. As a result, the hiking trails in à Bc are ideal for first-time trekkers.

Stream bathing

There are numerous streams in Da Bac district, particularly in Hien Luong commune. The water in the streams is particularly clean and transparent because it comes directly from the depths of the mountain. Swimming in these streams or immersing yourself in the cool and refreshing water is an enjoyable experience. It is a thrilling experience.

Bike ride

Many Da Bac homestays offer bicycles accessible for travelers to borrow for cycling. Cycling routes frequently circle the area or follow the shores of Hoa Binh Lake.

Kayaking

This activity is available for tourists to partake in at the majority of lakeside tourist attractions in Da Bac, Thung Nai, and Ngoi Hoa hamlet in Tan Lac. Kayaking on the lake is ideal because of the cool environment and tranquil water. Because it is not too strenuous, this sport is appropriate for people of all ages.

Swimming

The homeowner installed swimming pools in some of the homestays in Ke hamlet, Hien Luong. Because the pool is fed by spring water, it is always chilly. The hydroelectric lake bed is another site where you can swim, but you must wear a life jacket because the terrain of the lake bed is uneven and the shallow depth is uneven, making it quite risky. dangerous.

Visit Ke Hamlet

Ke hamlet, located near the edge of Hoa Binh Lake, is home to 80 Muong households. The scenery is almost pure, and the local people's cultural identity has been preserved. Visitors to Ke hamlet can explore the mountains, majestic old forests, and large lakes, allowing them to live together and experience local people's cultural, labor, and production life.

Visit Sung Hamlet

Sung Hamlet is located roughly 530 meters above sea level, with the spectacular Bieu mountain range behind it and terraced farms reaching down the scenic slope at the foot. Sung hamlet includes 73 families, all of whom are Dao ethnic. This is where many of the Dao Tien people's traditional cultural values are still preserved. Visitors can observe the ancient Tro tree, which is several hundred years old, and walk approximately 30 minutes through the old forest to see Sung cave, in addition to visiting and exploring the customs, habits, and lifestyle of the people here.

Visit Hey Nua Commune

Various forms of tourism services are steadily expanding in Vay Nua, which is more than 20 kilometers from the district headquarters and benefits from the beauty and fresh climate near the lake. The Ba Chua Thac Bo temple, located in Vay Nua commune, is a well-known temple that many visitors cannot overlook when visiting Hoa Binh Lake.

Visit Da Bia Hamlet

The residents of Da Bia hamlet retain the distinctiveness of the Muong ethnic cultural identity for community tourism. Tourists are drawn to the Muong people's traditional cuisine and agricultural production methods, which include stilt dwellings, gong noises, and Xoe dances. There are currently 5 houses undertaking community tourism in Da Bia hamlet, however 100% of the inhabitants in the hamlet have supported the households doing tourism in order to showcase the uniqueness of Muong Ao Ta culture to tourists.

The Muong Ao Ta have several unique stories, one of which contains a secret that no one can explain, known as the "Self-realization shop." "Self-Discipline Restaurant" has been referred to as "The first supermarket of the Muong people in Hoa Binh" . People freely sell and purchase goods: A thorough pricing list for each product is hung by the seller at Quan Tuc Giac. Buyers only need to look at the pricing list and then put money into the shopping basket voluntarily. People primarily sell local products such as chicken eggs, dried buffalo meat, veggies, fruits, and souvenirs. According to the elders in the neighborhood, anyone who comes to buy items and does not freely put money in the basket but intends to scam and not pay would be unable to leave Da Bia village. Similarly, the shop was voluntarily maintained by Muong Ao Ta residents to sell things over time. Tourists are particularly fascinated by the Muongs' supermarket experience.

Go to Tan Minh market

Every Tuesday, Tan Minh commune hosts the Enh market. This is considered Da Bac's busiest market, combining various identities, a place for Tay, Muong, and Dao ethnic people to interact and trade.

Where to stay in Da Bac?

Homestay

The major lodging options in La Bc are currently homestays and a few guesthouses, as life for the locals is still poor and there are no hotels. You can go camping instead of staying at a homestay. 

Sleep in a tent

Because the communes of Da Bac are generally cool, there are numerous vacant lots immediately close to Hoa Binh lake that are ideal for pitching up tents and camping overnight. However, because it is relatively far away from the residential area, you must prepare all of your possessions before heading to the tent place. Only high-clearance vehicles and motorcycles can approach near to the lake; small low-clearance vehicles will have trouble navigating via hazardous roads.

>> Read more: Where to Stay in Da Bac : 12 Best Homestays for an Authentic Experience

What to eat in Da Bac?

Roast pork

Pork belly chopped into chunks, marinated with golden grilled Mac Khen seeds, and eaten raw is also quite appealing. The sweetness of the pork combined with the aroma of spices makes a unique dish that no one can resist.

Ga Chay Bo (Grilled Chicken)

Chickens are generally grown free range in the highlands, thus the meat is always chewy, fragrant, and delicious. The chicken is not large, but it is beyond the table in terms of flavor. You can ask the host to grill or boil it according to your preferences.

Grilled fish

Da River now has many various varieties of fish, such as milkfish, lentil fish, fried fish, barb fish... that may be processed into a variety of cuisines, such as grilled fish, grilled fish, fish cooked with sour bamboo shoots... Each freshly caught river fish The rice is cleaned and seasoned before being clamped with old and new bamboo sticks and roasted over fire. To bring out the sweetness of the fish, each hot fish skewer is dipped in white salt mixed with doi seeds and a few slices of chile.

Vegetables

To cook vegetable dishes, locals will trek to the forest to collect vegetables such as mustard greens, stinging nettles, purslane, pennywort, mugwort, papaya leaves, wild eggplant, and banana blooms... The vegetables have been washed and mixed together, as have the contents in the trunk. veggies have an unusual sweet aroma and appealing colors, including green, brown, and white veggies and fruits.

Da Bac Travel Itinerary

Hanoi - Da Bac 2 days itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Da Bac
Day 2: Explore Da Bac

Da Bac – Mai Chau – Pu Luong combined tour itinerary:

Option 1: To discover the village of Sung and Da Bia
Day 1: Hanoi Da Bac – Sung village – Da Bia village
Day 2: Da Bia Village - Mai Chau
Day 3: Mai Chau - Pu Luong
Day 4: Pu Luong - Hanoi

In reverse:
Day 1: Hanoi - Pu Luong
Day 2: Pu Luong - Mai Chau
Day 3: Mai Chau - Da Bac – village of Da Bia
Day 4: Da Bia village – Sung village – Hanoi

Option 2: For those who want to stay at Mai Da Lodge
Day 1: Hanoi - Pu Luong
Day 2: Pu Luong - Mai Chau.
Day 3: Pu Luong – Da Bac – Ngoi Hoa – Mo Hem (Maida Lodge)
Day 4: Mo Hem - Ngoi Hoa - Hanoi

Reverse:

Day 1: Hanoi – Da Bac - Ngoi Hoa - Mo Hem (Maida Lodge)
Day 2: Mo Hem - Ngoi Hoa - Mai Chau
Day 3: Mai Chau - Pu Luong
Day 4: Pu Luong – Hanoi

In option 2: it is recommended to go in the direction: Hanoi – Pu Luong – Mai Chau – Da Bac

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