Cruising the Đà River on a 2-day-1-night tour to Thung Nai Hòa Bình

Nestled amidst the reservoir of Hòa Bình Hydroelectric Plant, Thung Nai is a cool place with turquoise waters and irresistible pristine beauty. That's why the 2-day-1-night Thung Nai Hòa Bình tour is becoming a beloved trend among travelers. Explore the enchanting Thung Nai with Mytour through the article below. 

1. Overview of Thung Nai

When people mention the Đà River, they often envision a powerful, tumultuous waterway. However, few know that the Đà River area also boasts an incredibly poetic destination that can captivate anyone's heart, such as Thung Nai. 

Located amidst the Đà River, in Cao Phong district of Hòa Bình province, Thung Nai was once known as Mường Thàng, the homeland of the Muong ethnic people. The name Thung Nai is said to originate from the abundance of deer living in this valley. 

Thung Nai, a picturesque gem amidst the Đà River.

In the past, Thung Nai resembled many other places in the northern mountainous region, with numerous lush hills and mountains. However, since the construction of the Hòa Bình hydroelectric dam on the Đà River, a large volume of water from the upper reaches has flooded the area, submerging many hills and mountains.

Partly due to its limestone mountain terrain, the water here exhibits a stunning emerald green hue. Moreover, visitors to Thung Nai can witness numerous islands scattered throughout the reservoir of the Hòa Bình hydroelectric plant. 

Thanks to its picturesque beauty, with rocky mountains emerging amidst the azure waters, Thung Nai offers travelers relaxation, tranquility, and abundant inspiration from nature. Hence, tourists often opt for a 2-day 1-night Thung Nai Hòa Bình tour to experience travel beneath the lake's surface.

2. Getting to Thung Nai

2.1 From Hanoi to Thung Nai

Although Hòa Bình province isn't neighboring Hanoi, it's not far either. From Hanoi, travelers only need approximately 2 - 3 hours, covering a distance of 120km to reach Hòa Bình province. Due to the relatively short distance, visitors to Hòa Bình can choose to travel by private vehicles such as cars or motorbikes.

Starting from Hanoi, travelers can take Thang Long Highway to reach Hoa Lac. From here, continue along Hoa Lac - Hoa Binh route to reach Hoa Binh City. The next 20km stretch along Tay Tien Road from the city center of Hoa Binh leads to Thung Nai port.

2.2 From Thung Nai to the islands

As Thung Nai tourist destination is located within Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Reservoir, visitors need to travel from the mainland to the islands. However, with the recent development of Thung Nai tourism, there are also many boats available for tourists.

Travelers often visit Thung Nai to boat on the water surface to avoid the heat. 

Moreover, there are also boat rental services or passenger cruises available on the lake surface. However, travelers should inquire about boat rental prices in Thung Nai before coming here to make the trip easier.

3. Accommodation in Thung Nai

3.1 Windmill Guesthouse Thung Nai

Windmill Guesthouse is a renowned accommodation option in Thung Nai. This guesthouse stands out partly due to its design resembling a windmill, and partly because it was built by military personnel who had previously served at the Military Technical Academy.

Staying here, travelers can relax in the peaceful atmosphere and enjoy the warmth of the services provided, ideal for families, groups of friends, or couples on vacation.

Windmill Guesthouse is located right by the banks of Thung Nai Lake, allowing guests to admire the panoramic view of the turquoise Thung Nai Lake area. Moreover, Windmill Guesthouse also offers boat rental services, making it easy for guests to explore the lake.

Windmill Guesthouse leaves a lasting impression in Thung Nai Hòa Bình. 

Travelers on a 2-day 1-night Thung Nai Hòa Bình tour should choose Windmill Guesthouse for their trip to fully enjoy the beauty of the gem of the Đà River.

3.2 Coconut Island Guesthouse

Coconut Island has only been developed for tourism in recent years. With a total area of up to 10 hectares, Coconut Island provides accommodation services and other basic recreational activities such as campfire areas, fishing, etc.

Additionally, Coconut Island is adorned with nearly 200 coconut trees providing shade and other fruit trees. The greenery adds a unique touch to Coconut Island.

Coconut Island currently has 4 large stilt houses and 8 small stilt houses for accommodating tourists. Each house is spacious and built in the architectural style of the Muong and Thai ethnic groups, with a considerable capacity. Coconut Island Guesthouse also owns boats to serve tourists traveling to the island.

3.3 Homestay in Giang Mo Village

In addition to Thung Nai Resorts in neighboring areas, tourists can try homestay accommodation in Giang Mo Village for a unique experience. Visitors can enjoy resort services in the stilt houses of the Muong ethnic people as well as the cuisine and cultural lifestyle of the local ethnic people in the village.

Especially, the room rates in Giang Mo Village are extremely affordable, around 20,000 VND/night.

4. What to Do When Traveling to Thung Nai Hoa Binh for 2 Days 1 Night

4.1 Boating on the Lake

When visiting Thung Nai Hoa Binh, tourists must experience boating on the Da River. In addition to the captivating azure water for nature lovers, visitors can also admire the majestic mountains surrounding the area.

Tourists mostly paddle boats to enjoy the scenery and the refreshing atmosphere beneath the lake. 

Thanks to the many surrounding mountains and the cool climate throughout the year, the river water here remains cool at various times of the year. Therefore, tourists often choose Thung Nai day tours as a destination to escape the heat in summer. Traveling to Thung Nai Hoa Binh for 2 days 1 night is a reasonable duration, just enough for tourists to experience all the fun activities here. 

Rowing a boat in Thung Nai is usually very easy due to the calm waters. Even tourists without rowing experience can manage to row. 

Besides rowing boats, tourists often camp at Thung Nai Hoa Binh to chat with each other while enjoying the picturesque scenery here. 

4.2 Trach Stream in Thung Nai

Trach Stream in Thung Nai is known as a famous bathing spot that cannot be missed when traveling to Thung Nai. Trach Stream is about a 20-minute boat ride from Thung Nai pier and then a 1-kilometer walk to reach the stream.

Tranquil Trach Stream in Thung Nai Hoa Binh.

Tourists visiting Thung Nai and bathing in Trach Stream are always impressed by a completely natural bathing pool. The water here is crystal clear, azure, and surprisingly clean. It's no surprise that many tourists choose Trach Stream as a cooling spot in the summer. 

4.3 Bờ Waterfall Cave

Stepping into Bờ Waterfall Cave, the stalactite space inside the cave will give tourists a sense of sanctity and grandeur.

Bờ Waterfall Cave is located at Ngọc Pier, on the northern slope of the Chùa Mountain range by the shore of Hoa Binh hydroelectric reservoir. Bờ Waterfall Cave is associated with the shrine of the Supreme Lady, with thousands of sacred spirits, and is also a place of refuge for many traders seeking shelter from heavy rain and strong winds when navigating the upstream and downstream of the Đà River. 

Bờ Waterfall Cave with its stunning stalactites.

To reach the cave entrance, tourists have to climb about 100 steps if there is no high water. Conversely, if visiting the cave during the flood season, after descending from the boat, tourists must transfer to a floating platform before entering the cave. Upon entering the cave, looking out from the cave entrance, tourists will admire the picturesque scenery of the Đà River amidst the limestone mountains. 

Bờ Waterfall Cave has a total of 3 areas for tourists to explore: the cave chamber with beautiful stalactite formations, the reception area for tourists, and the Buddhist worship area about 50 meters higher. 

4.4 Ngòi Hoa Village

Visiting Thung Nai Hòa Bình for 2 days and 1 night, Ngòi Hoa Village is a must-visit destination for tourists. It is renowned as the most beautiful ancient village of the Muong people in Hoa Binh.

Over many years, Ngòi Hoa Village has retained its simple, poetic beauty. When visiting Ngòi Hoa Village, tourists will experience the simple life of the local people. Being an oasis situated in the middle of the Đà River, transportation here mainly consists of boats.

At Ngòi Hoa Village, tourists can take picturesque photos to capture memorable moments, creating poetic and enjoyable memories.

4.5 Water Park in Ngòi Village

The water park is located in Ngòi Village, Ngòi Hoa Commune, Tân Lạc District, Hòa Bình Province. All the games at the floating water park are made with fun floats.

The floating water park attracts many tourists in Ngòi Village.

The floating water park promises to be a thrilling entertainment destination for tourists with a collection of 34 float-based games and adrenaline-pumping water sports such as jet skiing, floating pool complex, canoe fishing, boat racing,...

4.6 Mường Giang Mỗ Village

Mường Giang Mỗ Village is located in Bình Thanh Commune, Cao Phong District, about 10km from Hòa Bình City. This is the village of Mường ethnic families living at the foot of Mount Mỗ.

Mường Village is peaceful with simple stilt houses.

If tourists desire relaxation and to experience the peaceful life of the ethnic people, Mường Giang Mỗ Village is undoubtedly a wonderful destination as the entire village is home to only about a hundred households. Due to its small population and location at the foot of the mountain, Mường Giang Mỗ Village always attracts tourists who love the cultural lifestyle of ethnic people in the highlands.

4.7 Floating Market

For travelers on a 2-day 1-night trip to Thung Nai Hòa Bình, you can experience the floating market on the river on Sunday mornings. The market usually gathers early in the morning to exchange goods caught by locals the day before.

Travelers visiting the floating market will find a wide variety of fresh produce. However, since the market starts early, it also disperses early, so tourists should pay attention to the time to avoid arriving late.

5. A Must-Try Culinary Experience When Traveling to Thung Nai Hòa Bình

5.1 Free-Range Chicken

Surely everyone has heard of the famous dish of free-range chicken. It can be said that this is where it all started. All the chickens in Thung Nai are allowed to roam freely, they run a lot. That's why the chicken meat here is usually very firm, chewy, and robust compared to industrial chickens.

Free-range chicken is a specialty of Thung Nai Hòa Bình.

Travelers here are often enamored with the grilled free-range chicken dish. Not only that, but the chicken meat, when grilled, is also very flavorful.

5.2 Mường Pork

If travelers are tired of the fatty pork from other regions, Mường pork will bring a completely different culinary experience. The Mường pigs here are indigenous breeds, mostly allowed to roam freely and forage. Therefore, Mường pigs do not grow as large as regular pigs.

Grilled Mường pork will enchant travelers with its unique delicious flavor.

Travelers on Thung Nai tours should try grilled Mường pork to experience its sweetness and tenderness without feeling greasy.

5.3 Grilled Đà River Fish

In the Đà River basin, famous for its variety of fish such as black carp, catfish, and snakehead fish,..., there's nothing better than enjoying freshly caught fish from the Đà River, grilled to perfection. Grilled fish from the Đà River is often sold at various tourist spots.

6. Things to Note When Traveling to Thung Nai Hòa Bình for 2 Days 1 Night

• Since the area remains cool throughout the year, weather changes may make it colder than usual. Travelers should bring a jacket in case of cold weather and the typical mountain chill.

• Apart from boating on the Đà River, some travelers also enjoy swimming in the Thung Nai area. If you plan to swim here, remember to bring swimwear.

• It's advisable to bring blankets, insect repellent spray, and mosquito repellent cream as there are many mosquitoes in the mountains at night.

• Travelers should prepare cash when traveling to Thung Nai Hòa Bình because it's difficult to find ATMs or places that accept card or electronic wallet payments in mountainous areas.

• In case you can't find places selling food or the available options don't suit your taste, it's advisable to bring your own food.

Few know that within the heart of the Đà River, amidst the turquoise waters of the Hòa Bình hydroelectric reservoir, lies a tranquil oasis. A 2-day-1-night journey to Thung Nai Hòa Bình promises to be a perfect getaway for travelers seeking to escape the heat and unwind. For more detailed information about tours to Thung Nai, you can contact the Mytour hotline Mytour.