About Thung Nai
Thung Nai is a scenic valley and tourist area on Hoa Binh Lake (Da River Reservoir) in Cao Phong District, Phu Tho Province, about 110 km northwest of Hanoi. Created after the Hoa Binh Hydropower Dam flooded the Da River valley in the 1980s, it features limestone karsts, forested islands and floating villages. Often called 'Ha Long Bay on land', it is notable for boat cruises, Muong ethnic villages and the sacred Thac Bo Temple.
Visitors guide
Visitors arrive at Thung Nai Port and take a boat cruise on the clear waters of Hoa Binh Lake among limestone islets and forested hills. The area includes floating fish farms, Muong stilt-house villages, small islands that can be explored, and the Thac Bo Temple complex on the lakeside. Homestays and lakeside restaurants serve local cuisine. The landscape is tranquil, with opportunities for photography, cultural interaction and temple visits.
Key highlights
- 01
Boat cruise on Hoa Binh Lake among limestone karsts and islands
- 02
Thac Bo Temple - sacred temple on the Da River dedicated to Mother Goddess worship
- 03
Muong ethnic stilt-house villages and cultural experiences
- 04
Floating villages and fish farms on the reservoir
- 05
Scenic viewpoints for sunrise and sunset over the lake
History of Thung Nai
Thung Nai was originally a valley inhabited by the Muong ethnic group along the Da River. In the 1980s, construction of the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant (1979-1994), then the largest in Southeast Asia, dammed the Da River and flooded the valley to form Hoa Binh Lake, creating the present island landscape. Thac Bo Temple in the area has long been a place of worship associated with the river and local legends.
Culture & Context
The area is a center of Muong ethnic culture, with traditional stilt houses, brocade weaving, gong music and cuisine. Thac Bo Temple is an important site for Mother Goddess worship (Dao Mau), attracting pilgrims who pray for peace and good fortune, especially during spring festivals.
Route
| By air |
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