Minh Hoa is a border mountainous district located in the west of Quang Binh province, Vietnam. This is a land rich in historical and cultural traditions when it was once the base of the resistance war against the French and Americans of Quang Binh’s army and people. Currently, Minh Hoa is home to many ethnic minorities, with rustic but very unique customs and specialties: poi rice, thau lang, male snails,…
Minh Hoa is located about 110 km from Dong Hoi city. This place has a diverse terrain, with majestic mountains, poetic rivers and streams, vast primeval forests, and a rich system of historical and cultural relics. Thanks to that, discovering Minh Hoa promises to be attractive tourist activities for domestic and foreign tourists. Let’s take a look at the top 10 famous landmarks in Minh Hoa!
Tu Lan Cave
Tu Lan cave system is located in an area of primeval forest and limestone mountains of more than 650 hectares, located in Tan Hoa commune, Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province. This forest is linked from eight different valleys and mountain ranges through a network of underground rivers and cave systems. This cave system was discovered in 1992 by cave experts from the Anglo-Vietnamese Cave Exploration Group. Tu Lan cave system includes more than 25 caves of different sizes, with typical caves: Hung Ton Cave, Ken Cave, Kim Cave, Tu Lan Cave, Rat Cave, Tien Cave, Orang Cave, Ruc Cave, Secret Cave, Bat Cave and To Mo Cave.
Among them, Tu Lan Cave is the largest cave in the system. The cave has a floor up to 35m wide, stalactites at a height of 30m look like natural chandeliers and massive stalactite columns, making Tu Lan Cave look like a magnificent and impressive fortress.
In the Tu Lan system, caves are divided into two types, which are water caves (with streams flowing inside) and dry caves. Water caves are often accompanied by dry cave branches, where unique stalactites gather, often located next to underground streams and waterfalls in the cave. Dry caves are often located at higher positions, formed first and then pushed up by fluctuations in the earth’s crust. Therefore, dry caves often have many unique and beautiful stalactite shapes, unaffected by water flow during rainy seasons.
Tu Lan Cave in Quang Binh has been used for scenes of many movies. In 2017, the movie Kong: Skull Island is an action, adventure, science fiction movie directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, set on a mysterious island in the Pacific Ocean, inhabited by gorillas. Giant Kong. Some of the film’s filming was done at Tu Lan cave, including the scene where Kong fights military planes.
Besides, in 2018, the movie “The Immortal Man” directed by Victor Vu was filmed at Tu Lan cave, including the scene of the immortal man swimming in the cave. Most recently, “The Legend of Quan Tien” (directed by Dinh Tuan Vu) was filmed in April 2019 and is set in many locations in Quang Binh. The film tells the story of three young girls who volunteered during the resistance war against America. Some scenes of the film were taken at Tu Lan cave, including the scene of three young girls volunteering to take shelter in the cave.
Previously, very few people knew about the Tu Lan Cave System area. However, since 2011, when adventure tours began to be organized by Oxalis in Tu Lan and officially launched in 2014, the cave has attracted the attention of domestic and foreign tourists. Many tourists have come to conquer the cave system and explore activities at Tu Lan cave in Minh Hoa. Tourist activities include cave exploration and jungle trekking in small groups or overnight camping in the jungle.
Oxalis Adventure’s license to exploit Tu Lan cave has contributed to promoting tourism development in Quang Binh, while helping to preserve and promote the value of this cave system. Specifically, tourism activities have directly created regular jobs for more than 120 Tan Hoa people with an average income of 5-7 million VND/month.
Tu Lan Lodge
Tu Lan Lodge is located in Yen Tho village, Tan Hoa commune, Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province, about 70km northwest of Phong Nha. The resort is built nestled on the side of a high mountain, surrounded by majestic landscapes of mountains and forests and the romantic Rao Nan river. This is a great destination for tourists who love to explore wild nature and experience Minh Hoa culture.
When entering the Tu Lan Lodge campus, visitors will immediately enjoy beautiful landscapes of vast grasslands and soaring limestone mountains. Built by Oxalis Adventure, Tu Lan Lodge officially opened on November 15, 2022 and is one of the most unique accommodation locations in Quang Binh. Especially, after participating in Oxalis Adventure’s cave exploration tours such as “Tu Lan Exploration”, “Tu Lan Discovery”, and “Hang Tien Exploration” – journeys through ravines and strange caves. From the distance, visitors will come to Tu Lan Lodge to rest, immerse themselves in a peaceful, friendly space and have dinner with local people in Tan Hoa village. This is truly a place that brings memorable moments of natural enjoyment and encounters in the land of Quang Binh.
Tu Lan Lodge offers visitors two unique types of accommodation: Mountain Bungalow and Rural Homestay. Each room type has its own characteristics, creating a different and unique stay experience in the fresh countryside of Tan Hoa.
Tu Lan Lodge Restaurant is not only an attractive culinary destination but is also highly appreciated for the beauty of the scenery it brings. With a prime location, this restaurant is considered one of the restaurants with the most beautiful views in Quang Binh, where Minh Hoa nature and architecture blend together to create a poetic and majestic image.
Besides, Tu Lan Lodge also offers unique and colorful activities. Here, you can participate in interesting activities such as scenic cycling through Tan Hoa grasslands, having dinner at a local house to explore local cuisine, and riding an ATV to explore the Lim forest. nature. These are unique experiences in Minh Hoa that you cannot miss.
More than just a place to stay, Tu Lan Lodge also creates important employment opportunities for the local community by creating many working positions in the fields of tourism, culinary services, and tour guides. calendar and hotel management. These jobs both reduce unemployment and create a stable source of income for people. By creating conditions for people to participate in the tourism industry, Tu Lan Lodge has promoted local economic development, giving the community the opportunity to develop and improve the quality of life.
Mo Minh Hoa Waterfall
Mo Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall and a scenic spot located in Hoa Hop commune, Minh Hoa, Quang Binh. From Dong Hoi city center, follow Ho Chi Minh Highway East branch about 108km to reach Hoa Hop commune, Minh Hoa district. From here, you continue to follow the small trail leading deeper into the forest for about 200 meters and you will reach Thac Mo.
The tour price is 50,000 VND/person. However, if you are a resident of Hoa Hop commune or come here on the September 2nd holiday, you will receive a 40% discount on tour tickets. In addition, if you come to Thac Mo during the full moon festival in March of Minh Hoa, you will also enjoy a discount on sightseeing tickets.
Mo Minh Hoa Waterfall is located in the buffer zone of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, so the weather here is quite pleasant all year round. However, the ideal time for visitors to come here to picnic and have fun is in spring and summer. In spring, the natural landscape blooms with thousands of wild flowers creating a quiet and colorful space at the park, bringing a unique Minh Hoa experience to visitors.
The waterfall is located in the middle of a lush, majestic primeval forest, creating a poetic and lyrical natural scene. Mo Waterfall has a total height of about 30m, divided into many small floors, pouring down with white foam, creating a natural picture of the beauty of Minh Hoa. At the foot of the waterfall is a large, clear lake, an ideal place for visitors to cool off and relax. Around the waterfall are large rocks covered with green moss.
At Thac Mo, visitors can participate in many different activities. One of the most popular and favorite activities is bathing in the stream. With clear and cool spring water, this is the ideal place to cool off and relax. Located in the middle of primeval forest, this area has a rich and diverse flora and fauna. Visitors can participate in nature discovery activities such as scenic walks to clearly see the diversity and charm of the natural landscape or the brilliant colors of forest flowers. In addition to the above two activities, at Thac Mo there is also an overnight camping service, creating conditions for groups of friends to gather around the campfire, grill meat, sing together and relax in the fresh and cool space of the mountains and forests. After having fun, admiring the scenery and taking a cool bath at Thac Mo, we can enjoy typical dishes that are found nowhere else in the mountainous region such as mixed rice, green vegetables, stone snails,…
Heaven’s Gate Cha Lo
Cha Lo Heaven Gate, a famous Minh Hoa tourist destination, is a masterpiece of nature. Formed from two natural rocks joined together to form a large arch, about 20m high and about 10m wide, this place is called “the boundary between heaven and earth”. Looking from below, you will feel the power and miraculous creation of nature. Around Cha Lo Heaven Gate, majestic mountains and vast forests create a wild and majestic natural landscape. The terrain around the Heaven Gate is quite rugged with majestic mountains and a dense system of trees in the forest. This difficult path has witnessed many raids and preserved many victories and miracles that the Vietnamese militia has created.
To get to Cha Lo Heaven Gate from Dong Hoi city, Quang Binh, you need to follow the Ho Chi Minh trail to reach Khe Ve intersection, then turn onto road 12A. Continue going a little further, you will reach the Km marker number 34.5, Road 12A, which is the location of Cha Lo Heaven Gate. Total distance is about 150 km. Please note that road 12A is quite difficult to travel with many winding sections, difficult terrain, and steep slopes, so you need to pay attention to safety while traveling.
Cha Lo Heaven Gate is not only a famous landscape but also carries a special historical significance. During the resistance war against the US, this location became an important vital point on strategic route 12. Here, many fierce battles took place between our army and people and the US army. When you visit Heaven’s Gate – Father Lo Quang Binh, you will see symbols and messages of teammates engraved right on the stone, with the slogan “The heart still beats, the road is not clogged”. Going a little further, you will see on the left a cave that was once used for a “living memorial” ceremony for the soldiers of the 12th engineer battalion before going to the battlefield.
The folk story about the formation of Heaven’s Gate is also very special. Local people told each other about a couple named Y Leng and Thong Ma who were lovers. One time, the girl was captured by a dark force and locked in a cave in the deep forest. To save his lover, he had to pick up rocks one by one to fill the cave entrance and confront scary monsters. The fierce fighting caused two stones to fall and create the archway called Cha Lo Heaven Gate in Quang Binh as we see today.
When you come here, if you have the opportunity, take the time to learn about life and feel the sincerity and culture of the Chut, Sach, Khua, and May ethnic groups through visiting the Pheo market and participating in the festival. full moon day of March, or attend the new rice celebration. Don’t forget to try unique Minh Hoa specialties like fried silkworms, a crispy delicacy of the local people. Don’t forget to check in with the large stone arch, year-round clouds, and explore the magical natural beauty of this area.
Ruc Mon Cave
Ruc Mon Cave is located in Trung Hoa commune and Hoa Son commune, Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province. The cave is about 30km from the district center and is located in the primeval forest area of the Truong Son range, with rugged terrain, many limestone mountains and rivers and streams. Since 2017, Ruc Mon eco-tourism area of Quang Binh has been put into operation. To explore Ruc Mon cave, visitors need to walk through a path about 16km long. On the way, visitors will admire the wild and majestic natural scenery of Quang Binh’s mountains and forests and pass through many fields of indigenous people. In particular, you will pass by Yen Phu studio. This place is known as the setting for the blockbuster Kong: Skull Island directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts.
Ruc Mon Cave has a length of up to 2,863m and the dome is more than 50m high. Ruc Mon Cave has both dry caves and water caves. The dry cave is created with stalactites of various shapes and shimmering fancies. Under the dim light system, stalactites from small to large gradually appear. Many people who have been here have the common opinion that Ruc Mon cave is exactly a stalactite museum with diversity in both shape and abundance in quantity and size.
The water cave is a place with clear, cool underground rivers and streams. The main river of the water cave is about 100m long, flowing from upstream to downstream. Along the river, visitors can admire the stalactites growing on the cave walls, creating an extremely poetic scene.
Visitors can visit both the dry cave and the water cave in the same tour to explore Ruc Mon cave. During the tour, visitors will be provided with information about the history, geology and outstanding features of Ruc Mon cave by the tour guide. Visitors will also experience the feeling of caving with the necessary equipment and immerse themselves in the wild and majestic space of this place.
Yen Phu Lake
Yen Phu Lake is a natural freshwater lake located in Trung Hoa commune, Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province, about 100km from Dong Hoi city center. The lake is surrounded by majestic limestone mountains, creating a wild and poetic natural landscape. Yen Phu Lake was formed in the 60s of the twentieth century, when local people blocked the Rooc stream flowing from the limestone mountains to serve agricultural production. The lake is clear blue all year round and is home to many species of flora and fauna, including many rare species.
In 2016, Yen Phu Lake was chosen as the setting for the movie “Kong: Skull Island” directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts. In the movie, Yen Phu Lake is described as a pristine, uninhabited island, inhabited by King Kong. Therefore, this place was chosen by the film crew as the “battlefield” scene between the monkey king and giant monsters, bringing a dramatic feeling with thrilling action scenes. The beautiful scenes of Yen Phu Lake in the movie have made many people fascinated and want to come here to see it with their own eyes.
(Photo: collected)
Yen Phu Lake has an area of about 7 hectares, with clear blue water all year round. The undulating limestone beach on the lake surface creates a magical, shimmering beauty. Yen Phu Lake is a beautiful sunset viewing spot. Visitors can go to the lake in the afternoon to watch the last rays of the sun shine on the lake surface, creating an extremely romantic scene.
In addition, it is not difficult to see herds of buffaloes, cows, and goats grazing on the banks of the lake. Wild birds also often come here to feed and live.
Yen Phu Lake is also an ideal place for camping. Visitors can set up tents on the lake shore and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. However, because Yen Phu Lake is a Minh Hoa tourist destination that still retains its wildness and does not have tourist services, visitors need to pay attention to safety issues when camping here. If you have time, you can visit Yen Phu village, about 1km from Yen Phu lake. The people of Yen Phu village mainly live on agriculture, growing rice, corn, peanuts, etc. This area is also known as the “growing stone” village because of the appearance of hundreds of rocks with diverse shapes. emerging” from the ground, alternating between the natural landscape and the rustic houses of the people.
Da Deo Pass
Da Deo Pass is a pass located on the Ho Chi Minh Highway, about 100km west of Dong Hoi city center. This place is also considered the boundary of three communes Thuong Hoa, Xuan Trach and Thuong Trach, Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province. The pass is 17km long, with an average altitude of 500m above sea level.
Da Deo Pass is located in the Truong Son North mountain region, with rugged, rolling terrain. On both sides of the pass are towering limestone mountains, towering between heaven and earth. At the foot of the pass are lush green primeval forests, with rich flora and fauna. Da Deo Pass is formed from limestone mountains eroded over time. At the foot of the pass is Cha Noi valley.
Da Deo Pass has historical significance. During the resistance war against the US, the pass was a key point for fierce bombardment by the US military with aircraft and artillery from ships. The pass has suffered many bombs and bullets, but still stands firmly amidst the Truong Son mountains and forests.
Currently, Da Deo Pass is one of 37 relics of the group “Historic Monuments of Truong Son Road – Ho Chi Minh Trail” recognized by the Government and is an important historical site in Minh Hoa. On the top of the pass, there is a stone carved stone pass relic stele with the words “Da Deo Pass, the focus of fierce raiding by the US air force from 1965 – 1972” to remember the fierce war period. Da Deo Pass Monument Stele is a symbol of the resilient and indomitable will of our army and people in the resistance war against America to save the country.
Today, Da Deo Pass is an attractive Minh Hoa tourist destination. Visitors can come here to admire the majestic natural scenery, learn about Minh Hoa history and experience the feeling of conquering dangerous curves. To conquer the pass, visitors can ride a motorbike or car. However, the pass is quite dangerous, so visitors need to pay attention to safety when traveling.
Buddha Waterfall – Fairy Well
But Waterfall – Fairy Well is an eco-tourism area located in Yen Hoa commune, Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province. This tourist area is known for its pristine landscapes and cultural, historical, and spiritual values. But Waterfall – Fairy Well is located about 15km north of Minh Hoa district center. This tourist area is located on a limestone mountain, about 200m above sea level. From the center of Minh Hoa district, visitors can travel to Thac But – Gieng Tien tourist area by motorbike or car in the direction of National Highway 12A. After passing Tran bridge, visitors will turn left along the road to Yen Hoa commune. From here, you go about 5km more to reach the tourist area.
Hue Minh tourists
The most ideal time to visit Thac But – Fairy Well is during the dry season, from November to April of the following year. At this time, the weather is dry and there is little rain, so visitors can easily move and visit attractions in the tourist area. In particular, the March Full Moon Festival at Thac But – Tien Well is the largest local traditional cultural event of the year in Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh. Taking place on the 15th day of the third lunar month, this festival originates from a legend about two farming brothers who accidentally discovered a well at Ong Ngoi, next to which were 12 stones resembling the image of Mr. Buddha. The two cousins, after picking tangerines and eating their fill, sat down to rest. When they left the mountain, they carried with them a stone with the Buddha’s image. When they arrived at Cui waterfall, they put this stone down and bathed under the waterfall. After bathing, the older brother came to lift the stone, but strangely, he could not lift it.
Out of anger, the older brother used a machete to cut off the rock’s lip. The strange thing is that after this incident, everyone in their clan was born with defective lips. Since the stone appeared at Cui Waterfall, Yen Duc village began to experience many unpredictable events: epidemics, birds and wild animals threatened crops, livestock and poultry were attacked by wild animals, etc. In this difficult situation, the villagers decided to set up an altar to pray, and during that time, someone claiming to be Buddha, living at Cui waterfall, wanted people to build an altar to worship him.
The villagers listened and took this advice. Since the construction of the Buddha altar, risks and disasters gradually disappeared. This story spread widely, attracting attention and respect from many people, and gradually, people called Cui Waterfall “Buddha Waterfall,” after the name we know today. Every year, on the full moon day of the third lunar month, people still come here to offer incense and worship Buddha, pray for favorable weather, fortune, health, and to participate in the full moon festival.
The festival organizes many diverse activities, from spirituality, sports and entertainment, attracting a large number of visitors from both inside and outside the province to experience the unique culture of Minh Hoa. The most important activity is the incense offering ceremony at the Buddha temple, with the participation of delegations representing local authorities, local people and tourists. Besides, the festival also has a bustling fair, where visitors explore and shop for local products and enjoy Minh Hoa culinary specialties.
It can be said that the March Full Moon event at Thac But – Tien Well imbues local cultural identity, attracts tourists and helps promote Minh Hoa tourism potential.
Kim Bang Communal House – Len Quyt tree cave
Historical revolutionary relic of Kim Bang village communal house and Len Quyt tree cave in Kim Bang village, Minh Hoa commune, Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province. The relic is located south of Quy Dat (in Minh Hoa district) about 8 km from the district capital. Kim Bang village communal house was built in 1924, as a place to worship the village Thanh Hoang and his predecessors who made contributions to the people and the country. The communal house is made of wood, has a thatched roof, and has a dirt floor, including the Early communal house and the Later communal house.
Located about 500m from Kim Bang communal house is Len Quyt Tree Cave – a natural and quite small cave, with an average height of about 3m, width of 15.5m, depth of the cave 22m, cave entrance 10m wide. The cave was formed by the erosion of rainwater and wind.
On May 19, 1949, the Second Quang Binh Provincial Party Congress was held at Kim Bang communal house and Len Quyt tree cave. The Congress decided to launch the “Quang Binh Resurrection” movement to fight against French colonial rule. This movement took place enthusiastically and widely, contributing to victory and opening an important turning point in the resistance war against the French colonialists in Quang Binh province.
During the years of resistance against the US, Kim Bang village communal house and Len Quyt tree cave continued to be the place for many important activities of the army and people of Quang Binh. This is the meeting and command place of Party, government and military agencies of the province and district; is a place to hide food, weapons, and ammunition. This Minh Hoa historical relic has been ranked at the provincial level according to Decision No. 1088/QD-UBTTDL dated July 9, 1999 of the People’s Committee of Quang Binh province.
According to the book “Quang Binh – Scenic Monuments”, a French archaeologist named M. Cola-ni once went to Cay Tang cave to excavate and research. Excavation results discovered a number of key artifacts such as:
- Carving out the bones and horns of deer and seashells;
- Roughly hewn stone tools have no edge sharpening marks;
- Two stone tools with two grinding marks;
- The sandstone stones have gouge marks;
- Other pebbles have flower branches and leaves carved into them;
- Lumps of hematite iron ore;
- Pieces of iron in a pile of shells;
- Iron tools.
These artifacts were found at different cultural levels, from the oldest to the newest. This shows that people have been attached to this land for a long time, going through many different historical periods.
Mu Gia Pass
Rounding the border of Laos, Mu Gia Pass is a scenic spot and a historical place.
Mu Gia Pass is one of the most dangerous passes in Vietnam, located on Highway 12A in Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province to Cha Lo border gate on the Vietnam-Laos border. The pass is located in 3 communes of Hoa Thanh, Trong Hoa and Dan Hoa, Minh Hoa district, about 480 meters high, about 20 km long from Khe Ve junction (Hoa Thanh commune) to near Cha Lo border gate (Dan Hoa commune). The pass is located between the two mountain ranges of Truong Son East and Truong Son Tay, with steep, craggy cliffs on both sides. To cross the pass, the driver must go through sharp curves and steep, winding roads.
More than 100 years ago, the pass was the headquarters of the Can Vuong movement against the French led by King Ham Nghi and loyalist Ton That Thuyet. During the resistance war against the US, Mu Gia Pass was a “fire pass” with road 12A, an important road in the Ho Chi Minh route passing through with slopes of 500 degrees. This is a road that never stops making bomb explosions. The “V” shaped crab on the pass still has traces and remnants of leaf bombs and magnetic bombs. The pass is a vital road connecting North Vietnam with the southern battlefield, where food, weapons, and ammunition are transported to revolutionary forces. Mu Gia Pass is also the place where many fierce battles took place between our army and people and the US army.
Not only is it a historical witness of the struggle of the Vietnamese people, Mu Gia Pass is also the place where the footprints of Vietnamese volunteers who came to Laos and the Itxara front against the French were recorded. Mu Gia Pass also once welcomed Vietnamese soldiers on international duty. Strategic road 12A passes through Cha Lo, Heaven’s Gate, and Mu Gia Pass to reach the battlefields of Southern Laos and the Central Highlands down to Cambodia. It is also evidence of the help of the brotherly country of Laos in the cause of liberating the South and reunifying the Fatherland.
From the top of the pass, visitors can admire the scenery of Truong Son mountains and forests. Rolling mountain ranges, vast green forests, winding rivers, create an extremely poetic natural picture. However, Mu Gia Pass has dangerous terrain, so visitors need to pay attention to safety when taking photos, checking in and sightseeing. Do not go too close to steep cliffs and deep abysses.
Minh Hoa is blessed by mother nature with many majestic and pristine landscapes along with a rich history and culture. Outstanding tourist destinations in Minh Hoa have been attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists to explore. Among Minh Hoa tourist destinations, we have discovered the secrets of Tu Lan Cave System, enjoyed the majesty of Da Deo Pass and admired the diverse beauty of Yen Phu Lake,… With these With this unique activity.
Minh Hoa is not only a land of stunning landscapes, but also a destination of history and culture. Tourists from all over have the opportunity to enjoy unforgettable images and experiences in this land, where nature and people are intertwined, creating a meaningful travel journey.