Some 40km from Hue city, Bach Ma National Park is an alluring eco-tourist destination for visitors because it boasts spectacular natural landscapes and brings diverse experiences to visitors. This is the only strip of the primeval forest in Vietnam that connects the country from the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) to the shared borderline of Vietnam and Laos.
A ticket to Bach Ma national park costs 60,000 VND/ an adult and 20,000 VND/ a child. Apart from walking, the best way to reach the top of Bach Ma mountain is driving a car. Therefore, visitors are advised to rent a car at a cost of 900,000 VND/a day. To save money visitors should go in group or book tours in advance in Hue and Da Nang, or go early to the park gateway to join a delegation.
The places tourists should visit on their journey to explore Bach Ma National Park are Vong Hai Dai, Five Lakes, Do Quyen falls, old French villas, and "Hobbit" village.
The car will take tourists on a winding 20km road around the mountain to reach Vong Hai Dai, the first tourist attraction, which is also the highest place in Bach Ma National Park. From this viewpoint, which was built by the French, visitors can see a panorama of Lang Co Bay, Truoi Lake, and Bach Ma mountain in the clouds. This is an easy tour for visitors of all ages.
From Vong Hai Dai, tourists will be driven nearly 5km to Five Lakes, a group of five lakes located in different altitudes connected by small waterfalls. The lakes are not deep and have cool blue water. After a 30 minute walk this is a favorite place for lunch time and bathing in the stream.
The next destination is Do Quyen falls, just 2-3km from Five Lakes. From the peak of the falls, which is at a height of 300m, even on sunny days tourists can sit on cliffs and see a panoramic view of the mountain in the clouds.
Following the signpost, tourists can step down nearly 700 steps to the foot of the falls to see with their own eyes the grandeur of the falls.
During the journey to explore the national park, there are many sections of the forest path crossing springs. With strong ropes and ladders tourists can find it easy to go across these sections.
If tourists have time, they can visit abandoned villas which used to be a resort for French officers and the upper-class of Hue city on the top of Bach Ma mountain.
After visiting the national park, tourists are suggested to visit the “Hobbit” village at the foot of Bach Ma mountain to take a rest and check-in photos. The village was constructed with the design inspired by the living space of the Hobbit in the film “Lord of the Rings.” A ticket to the village charges 100,000 VND an adult and 60,000 VND a child [with a height of 0.9-1.3m]. It is free for children under 0.9m.
Tourists should visit Truoi lake at the foot of the mountain, rent a boat to enjoy the cozy atmosphere in the midst of the natural landscape, and then visit Truc Lam Bach Ma Zen Monastery. Here, they can see the mountains from above and receive instructions on meditation practice [if booked in advance].
The name Bach Ma comes from various anecdotes related to clouds covering the mountain all year round. In the past, while looking up, people often saw white mist rising up in the form of a horse-shaped block. Another legend says a general rides a white horse up to the mountain and then disappears mysteriously.
December to April is a good time to explore the mountain and forest. During this time, the weather is sunny and convenient for travel. This April, tourists can register for a marathon race and participate in the Hue Festival 2020 while exploring Bach Ma National Park.
Source: VnExpress
Translated by Mai Huong