Located 90 kilometres from Hanoi, Tam Dao tourist area in Tam Dao Town, Vinh Phuc Province, is an ideal getaway for tourists to escape the crazy, scorching heat. In summer, people rush to Tam Dao which is considered the Dalat of the North with its fresh cool air, mist and romantic scenery.
One weekend, we decided to go to Tam Dao when Hanoi was filled with rain. As I had not come to Tam Dao during the cooler weather I was very excited. I imagined Tam Dao at that time very quiet and deserted. I even thought I’d write a play about a love story set in Tam Dao among the romantic, misty surroundings.
We reached Tam Dao with the sunset upon us. Tam Dao appeared vaguely in the vaporous mist and golden light reflecting over the wet road. It was not too cold, so we all felt the fresh air flowing into our ribs as we walked fast to look for a guest house.
At night, it got colder and Tam Dao was blanked in tranquility and fog. The silence was sometimes broken by singing from karaoke rooms. Tam Dao perhaps has three specialties that tourists should not miss - eating chayote buds, gambling for fun and singing karaoke.
There is some architecture worthy of a look such as an old stone church, Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple or Tam Dao TV Tower. In the dark, the old church stands imposingly. In front of the church, some vendors sell grilled corn and eggs, bringing some warmth to the night.
In the early morning, it was like spring in Tam Dao with golden beams and warm weather. Like Sapa, the higher tourists trek, the more beautiful Tam Dao is.
Nestled right at the foot of Thien Thi Mountain after its 200 stone steps, Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple is apparently a sacred place luring many pilgrims daily, especially during festivals to pray for love and bearing children.
Bac Waterfall is another must in Tam Dao. Flowing down from the mountain peak, the fall looks like a silver carpet studded with green moss.