For those who are looking for a trip with cool air and interesting activities on the water, Thac Ba Lake in Yen Bai Province is an ideal destination for this summer. With a 20,000-hectare lake bed and more than 1,300 large and small limestone islands, Thac Ba Lake has a spectacular natural scene, which is likened to a "wonder in the mountains".
The immense beauty of Thac Ba Lake.
Thac Ba Lake is located in the two districts of Yen Binh and Luc Yen, about 160km from Hanoi. As one of the largest artificial lakes in Vietnam, formed during the construction of the Thac Ba Hydropower Plant in the 1960s and 1970s, Thac Ba Lake has become a multi-purpose lake as it serves the generation of electricity while providing clean water for the people and developing aquaculture. Especially, the lake has become an attractive eco-tourism destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Thac Ba Hydropower project itself has been also included in many sightseeing tours so that the younger generations can witness and admire the great achievements of their predecessors, during the cause of national construction.
Travelling by boat on Thac Ba Lake, you will be delighted to enjoy the cool breeze and admire the shimmering and quiet surface, like a giant mirror, surrounded by forests. Summer is when the water level of the lake decreases, but it also reveals many small green islands. With a special geological structure, Thac Ba Lake also contains a large and small cave complex with countless natural stalactites, which can evoke the imagination of observers, such as Xuan Long, Bach Xa, Thac Ba and Thac Ong. The most famous is Thuy Tien Cave, which is located in the middle of the lake and is flooded on all four sides. It is about 100m long and several metres in width. They are sparkling stalactites, which are dedicated to thrilling and fanciful local legends, in the heart of the cave.
Along with the charming scenery, the Thac Ba lakeside area is also home to many ethnic groups including Kinh, Tay, Nung, H'Mong, Dao, Phu La and Cao Lan. Coming to the locality during the festivals, visitors have the chance to immerse themselves in the unique and rich cultural identity of traditional rituals, games and folk arts. On an ordinary day, the simple houses and peaceful life of the residents of the “lake on the mountain” can still captivate travellers.
Hai Lam - Translated by NDO
