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The distant roads resemble delicate threads. The majestic waterfalls, with the figure of Dao Thanh Phan wearing vibrant hats...
Enchanting Binh Lieu Highlands
The highland district of Binh Lieu is located near the Vietnam-China border, northeast of the homeland. From the center of Binh Lieu town, ascending towards the summit of Mount Ma Thong Thuan, at an elevation of over 1,000m above sea level, the vast expanse of nature unfolds, captivating the eyes.
Exclusively for Vietnamese Visitors
At the beginning of the year, the mountains here are covered by a unique vegetation carpet, rarely seen even in the remote mountains of Ha Giang or Northwest Vietnam. This is Northeast Vietnam!
Embarking on the journey along the fortified border route, travelers will pass through numerous sacred border milestones of the Fatherland. The area around milestone 1300, affectionately named 'Happiness Hill' by locals, is a sight to behold.
Many young enthusiasts eagerly ascend 'Happiness Hill' for a panoramic view. Standing atop 'Happiness Hill' amidst the chilling northern cold, one can easily sense the cold giving way to the majestic scenery that touches the soul. A border region with contiguous mountains and rivers unfolds before your eyes.
As the morning mist gradually dissipates, the imposing peaks of Ma Thong Thuan and Mo Toong come into view. These are the two highest peaks on the Vietnam-China border route.
After conquering the border route with milestones 1300, 1302, 1305, 1306... travelers will set foot in the international border gate of Hoanh Mo, marked by milestone 1317.
Currently, due to national security reasons and border regulations, only Vietnamese tourists have the freedom to explore and discover this majestic border area.
Conquering the waterfall amidst the forest
After a night's rest in the heart of Hoanh Mo commune, just a short journey up to Dong Van highland commune, travelers will discover the majestic waterfalls.
After a 30-minute drive, we reached Khe Tien waterfall. Nestled in a pristine forest area in Khe Tien hamlet, Dong Van commune, despite the chilly early year, enthusiasts are eager to trek and conquer the three levels of the waterfall from the mountain base.
The waterfall originates from streams flowing down from the Quang Nam Chau mountain range (elevation 1,507m above sea level). At this altitude, mist shrouds the surroundings throughout all four seasons.
The cascading water forms large, crystal-clear pools in all four seasons. According to local legends, this place is linked to the enchanting tale of the seven-colored stone. Many visitors seek to find a seven-colored stone as a memento when they come to admire the waterfall.
In Dong Van commune, there's also the pristine Mooc River waterfall. This waterfall, over 10m high, descends onto a vast rock area spanning over 4,000m², adorned with large rocks creating a unique and impressive space.
However, the most impressive and grandiose is the Khe Van waterfall in Huc Dong commune. Water from the 1,000m high Khe Van - Thong Chau mountain descends, encountering large rocks that foam with white brilliance. Numerous rock formations create a cascade of three waterfall tiers.
A pristine white waterfall amidst the deep green mountains. Moss-covered rock walls adorn both sides of the cascade. Many proclaim this as the most beautiful and grand waterfall in Quang Ninh. Khe Van Waterfall, with its untouched forest reserve and rich vegetation, is a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts.
Sitting beside large rocks, sharing a meal, some newfound local friends revealed that Khe Van Waterfall is a meeting place for Sán Chỉ ethnic girls and boys. In lunar March, the Soóng Cọ singing festival takes place at the waterfall, where many couples find their destiny during these festive days.
To enhance the beauty of Khe Van Waterfall, white, and yellow orchids beautifully embellish the surroundings. As for the Sở flower, a festival dedicated to this species was organized in mid-December 2016, a flower found abundantly in the Bình Lieu region.
Explore Native Products at the Market
If visitors come to Bình Lieu on a Sunday, they must not miss the two famous markets that only convene on Sundays here. These are the central Bình Lieu market and the Đồng Văn market.
At these markets, besides encountering Dao Thanh Phán girls with unique hats, tourists can find a variety of local products and specialties. Wild plums, forest peaches, forest bananas, various cakes from the Tày, Dao, Hoa ethnic groups are particularly enticing.
Especially, interested travelers can explore a market specializing in traditional herbal medicine trusted by ethnic communities for treating various illnesses.
Unique Culture of Dao Thanh Phan
Roaming the roads in the mountainous district of Binh Lieu, visitors will encounter houses with earthen walls, stone-piled foundations, and uniquely crafted stone walls. These are traditional houses preserved by the Dao people. Unlike the terraced fields in Northwest and Ha Giang, the terraced fields in Binh Lieu are more gentle. The rice here ripens about a month later than in the Northwest.
The attire of the Dao Thanh Phan people, a branch of the Dao ethnic group in Binh Lieu, is notably distinctive, especially the women's headwear with a bamboo frame and vibrant fabric covering. Many adorn their hats with intricately embroidered fabrics.
Some women's hats can reach a height of 40-50cm. These hats are quite practical; when going to the fields, to shield against rain and sun, Dao Thanh Phan women often attach a small umbrella to their hats instead of carrying it by hand like others.
By Nguyen Huong/Tuoi Tre
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Reference: Travel Guide on Mytour
MytourFebruary 2, 2017
