Spanning a wide stretch of land with diverse geographical characteristics and an enchanting range of rare flora, fauna and ethnic cultural beauty, Xuan Son National Park in northern Phu Tho Province is emerging as a top tourism destination.
Located at the extreme south-eastern extent of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, in the watershed of the Hong (Red) River in Xuan Son Commune, Thanh Son District, the park is roughly 80km from Viet Tri City and 160km from Ha Noi.
It covers an area of 15,048 ha including 11,000ha of natural forests and 1,396 ha of limestone-mountain forests. The park also boasts primitive tropical forests, distributed across mountains and limestone rock formations.
The park's deputy director Tran Dang Hung says it consists of a number of major ecosystems including tropical montane forests, grass and bamboo shrubland, and agricultural and aquatic ecosystems.
"It's the only national park in Viet Nam with a limestone-based primeval forest. It also boasts a diverse system of over 700 species of flora and nearly 400 fauna species, " Hung says.
Limestone forest ecosystems have unique features and retain their original charm despite the wear and tear of erosion.
Established in 2002, the park is a community of plants and animals that constitutes a valuable genetic resource.
Statistics show that it has 650 genera and 175 families of five complex plant groups, accounting for 57 percent of the total flora families in the country.
He says the park has large reserves of native breeds and medicinal plants, including natural bitter vegetables. It is also home to 365 species of animals including gibbons, civets, squirrels, panthers, bears, pheasants and eagles, 46 of which are listed in Viet Nam's Red Book of Endangered Species and 18 are classified in the World Red Book.
"When it comes to bio-diversity, Xuan Son is only marginally behind Cuc Phuong and Cat Tien National parks," he adds.
Not only does the park have a diverse range of wild animals and plants, it also offers a plethora of jaw-dropping natural landscapes.
Three peaks form a triangle that dominates the park, and scattered across their rocky slopes are hundreds of caves and grottoes, and streams that feed breathtaking 50m high waterfalls. Stalactites, weathered by water and wind, hang from cavernous grottoes the largest of which stretches back over 7km.
Fresh air and nature are not the only aspects of the park that attract tourists, it is also well known for its history. Legend has it that the head of a village situated in the park had a beautiful daughter who had reached a marriageable age. She met a strange man who was visiting the village and they fell in love. Her father initially agreed to the union but the night before the wedding, he was visited by a fortune-teller who told him that the would-be groom was an evil man. Worried about his daughter's future, he followed the fortune-teller's advice and killed the man.
In the dead of night, the father used rice husk and dry chillies to try and burn the corpse but as the flames licked around the strange man's body, he transformed into a large snake and slithered off into a cave. The day after, the daughter died of a broken heart. In the pouring rain, the snake came and carried her to a tomb on the mountain top. The tomb has become a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike, who visit the site to remember the young couple's love.
There are also stories about giant milk fish that inhabit the caves. Many believe that they are actually deities, and rumour has it that a man died after trying to eat one of them.
The Dao ethnic people refer to one such cave as the Crying Cave. Being extremely deep with numerous tunnels and passages, it's extremely difficult to navigate.
A young couple who were visiting the cave with friends became lost in conversation and quickly became separated from the group. The couple stumbled around in the dark for hours, crying out for help, but eventually their cries faded away.
Xuan Son National Park attracts tourists who are interested in eco-tourism, culture and discovery.
A day in the park witnesses the four seasons of the year. In the morning, it is cool and fresh like spring. Summer takes over as the sun reaches its zenith, but as the afternoon moves on, the cool breeze creates an autumnal feel. Finally, when the sun goes down, the chill of winter envelops the park.
Deputy director Hung says tourists have the chance to discover the vast array of natural beauty and wonders combined with some extraordinary experiences.
"Trekking, exploring caves and staying with ethnic families are among the many things to do," he says.
He says people often visit Du hamlet which is inhabited by the Dao people who live in houses built in the traditional architectural style.
The Dao always welcome guests to their homes that are heated by open fires.
"In the park, there are valuable and rare plants and animals. Scientists, researchers and students could visit the park to study them," says Dao Van Quang, 20, a third-year student from the Ha Noi Forestry University.
"We can collect relevant information in our fields while exploring the park at the same time," he says, adding that his class of 55 students have all stayed in the hamlet.
He says that new species of plants were recently discovered in northern Hoa Binh Province and Ta Cu nature reserve in southern Binh Thuan Province.
The unique cultural aspects of the Muong and Dao people, the two main ethnic groups in the area, never cease to amaze visitors. Seven kilometres from Du hamlet is Coi hamlet, the oldest village of the Dao Tien ethnic people and also the furthest from the park, where nearly 30,000 people live culturally traditional.
Many are surprised by the open door custom of the Dao that allows girls who are of an age to marry to open their doors at midnight and wait for their lovers.
One of their many festivals is known as Tet Nhay (Dancing Performance Holiday), that falls on the first or second of January according to the lunar calendar. It's considered a coming of age ceremony for 15 year old boys and goes on for three days and two nights with continuous dancing. The hamlet is also home to rare spur cocks, a species of chicken that is referred to in ancient legends. The tale says that the Hung King asked two deities to prepare nine ivory elephants, nine spur cocks and nine maned horses as wedding gifts for his daughter.
Ban Xuan Lam, chairman of Xuan Son Commune People's Committee says local residents had been unaware of the value of their chickens that had previously been left to roam free and fend for themselves. The precious bird now has the protection of authorities who are trying to prevent it from becoming extinct.
The park is favourably positioned with easy access to the Hung King Temple, Tam Dao mountain and Ba Vi mountain. It's an interesting destination for tourists to discover the wild beauty of primitive forests, mountains and caverns, and a diverse array of flora and fauna.
However, the deputy director says the only tourist service available is the homestay provided by chairman Lam. The management board plans to establish an eco-tourism and environmental education centre to promote tourism in the park.
It also plans to build a nature museum. Local people will be asked to participate in tourism activities by offering homestay services from which they can benefit.
"People who benefit from the services would actively protect the forests," Hung says.
Sharing the ambition, Bui Thi Toan, director of Phu Tho Tourist Service Centre, says they run tours to the park from the Hung King Temple and a six-kilometre road is going to be built from the temple to shorten travel times.
Hung adds that the province is trying to prevent negative impacts to the forest. Park authorities are raising public awareness and improving forest based incomes for locals while maintaining sustainable forests and ensuring environmental protection and management.
Followings are some photos of Xuan Son National Park
