Soon after it was put into operation this June, the canyoning tour at the Dong Tien waterfall cluster in Dai Tu District, Thai Nguyen Province has stirred much interest and excitement among adventure lovers and natural travellers.
Conquering waterfalls to explore the eastern side of Tam Dao
Canyoning is an outdoor adventure that combines several outdoor sports like cliff swinging with gorge walking activities, involving navigating rough terrain, jumping into the water, and descending the waterfall through swinging.
The sport has been launched in several Vietnamese localities that host forests, mountains, streams, and waterfalls in their terrains, such as Da Lat City (Lam Dong Province), Hoang Lien National Park (Lao Cai Province), Bach Ma National Park (Thua Thien Hue Province), and Chiem Hoa District (Tuyen Quang Province).
In June this year, Thai Nguyen Adventure Company launched the Tien Cave Canyoning tour adjacent to Tam Dao National Park, creating a new tourist product for travellers to Thai Nguyen Province.
Dong Tien waterfall cluster is located on the eastern slope of Tam Dao National Park, in Ky Phu Commune, Dai Tu District, Thai Nguyen Province.
At the journey's beginning, visitors join a 5-km trek through the trails in the pristine Tam Dao forest, passing through the tea plantations at the foot of the mountains.
The first gathering point on the journey is Dom Dom Farm in Vang Village, Quan Chu Town, Dai Tu District, a 2-hour drive from downtown Ha Noi and 45 minutes from Noi Bai International Airport.
Tour guides and adventure sports experts introduce visitors to canyoning, equipment and accessories for the sport.
There, visitors receive instructions on canyoning, equipment and accessories for the sport by tour guides and adventure sports experts.
One of them is Tran Xuan Thanh, a professional rescue training instructor from Dong Nai Province, who founded Rope Team Vietnam. He is one of the few Vietnamese people who holds international certificates in the field of adventure sports and survival skills.
The tour is open for visitors aged 12 years and above. It is recommended that people with health concerns such as heart disease, asthma, and bone and joint diseases should not participate.
Participants are instructed to practice canyoning and ziplining techniques right on a nearby hillside under the supervisor of safety assistants.
Each tour is optimally designed for 8 to 12 guests, departing from Vai Mieu Lake, where trekkers take a 15-minute boat ride.
They will then join a two-hour trek through the forest to reach the Dong Tien waterfall complex, which consists of three waterfalls standing next to each other.
Conquering waterfalls to explore the eastern side of Tam Dao
Tran Thi Anh Tram, a 34-year-old visitor from Ha Noi decided to conquer the first waterfall, which is 8 meters high.
She shared that she had heard about canyoning through foreign movies and some tours in Lam Dong and Quang Binh Provinces. After being told about a canyoning tour in Thai Nguyen Province, she immediately registered to participate.
Strong flowing water creates resistance and noise that can challenge first-time canyoners, however, all of these locations have been thoroughly surveyed and tested by tour organisers to ensure absolute safety for participants.
When climbing to the middle of the waterfall, Anh Tram was instructed to free her hands and fall into the lake below, immersing herself in the beautiful natural scenery.
The second waterfall has a higher level of difficulty, as it is 15 metres high and has many undulating cliffs. Expert Tran Xuan Thanh is available at the top of the waterfall to support trekkers in completing the challenge.
At the third 3-metre-high waterfall, visitors can swim, paddle on a SUP, take pictures, and have snacks to recharge energy.
Visitors paddle on a SUP at the third 3-metre-high waterfall
Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung, a 34-year-old traveller from Thai Nguyen Province said this was the first time she engaged in an adventure tour. As a beginner, she chose a reputable tour provider and participated in canyoning at an easy level to ensure safety with an enjoyable experience.
“The feeling of immersing yourself in the cool water, and admiring the beautiful natural scenery around you, is truly unforgettable,” she stated.
According to Nguyen Van Thuc, a founding member and executive of Thai Nguyen Adventure, the community of adventure travel enthusiasts in Vietnam has developed rapidly in recent years. Canyoning has become popular in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, attracting many young Vietnamese and international tourists. Canyoning tours that integrate have now launched in several northern mountainous provinces.
Ecotourism, nature tourism, and adventure tourism have shaped Thai Nguyen into a new and attractive destination for adventure enthusiasts to conquer nature and themselves.
My Hanh - Translated by NDO