Where the Red River Ends

Nestled beside the Ba Lat estuary (Giao Thủy, Nam Định) – where the Red River flows into the South China Sea, Xuân Thủy National Park mesmerizes travelers from near and far.

Life of fishermen in the brackish mangrove forest intertwines with the vibrant scenery of the Northern countryside, leaving a lasting impression on our journey.

Wandering along the Red River from Lào Cai to Yên Bái, Phú Thọ..., admiring the majestic beauty of the river as it meanders through the mountainous region and its graceful charm as it flows through the vast alluvial plain, we eagerly await the opportunity to explore the land where this river ignites into the East Sea. And once we managed to arrange the time, we decided to set off.

After traversing nearly 150 km of embankments along the river from Hanoi, we finally reached Xuân Thủy National Park.

On the road running through Xuân Thủy National Park, we often come across small streams, river branches, and tiny islets.

In this final stretch, the Red River in the summer resembles a multi-legged centipede, each leg representing the numerous branches and small channels, with a few boats anchored silently.

Standing on the observation tower amidst the national park, we finally grasp the vastness of this riverine region, this marshland. The red hue of the Red River is now mixed with the blue of the sea, creating a unique color palette.

Casting our gaze from the observation tower far into the vastness of the sky, that water body is none other than the Ba Lat estuary. And the beauty of the small green islets amidst the coastal marshlands delights travelers with a sense of openness and freedom.

After receiving insights from Mr. Trịnh Hậu – one of the few community tourism pioneers in the buffer zone of Xuân Thủy National Park – about this land, we embarked on a journey to explore Xuân Thủy National Park and its surroundings.

Passing through the communes of Giao An, Giao Xuân, Giao Hải, Giao Thiện..., we are greeted with the image of a Northern countryside with banyan trees, water wharfs, communal yards, herds of buffalo, and embankments... Intertwined with these familiar sights are coastal villages with fishing ports, sandbars, areas for clam and shrimp farming.

After nearly a day exploring the unique architectural structures, especially the ancient thatched houses here, as the evening light fades, we begin to make our way to Tiền Lang – Giao Hải fishing port.

At this moment, hundreds of fishing boats gradually dock. The livelihoods of the residents, deeply intertwined with agriculture and fishing, remain vibrant. Ms. Mai (from Giao An commune) mentioned that the majority of women here work alongside their husbands in shrimp and clam farming.

Evening homestays in Giao Xuân offer a different experience. We enjoyed rustic countryside dishes combined with delightful seafood.

During weekends or festivals, visitors here can enjoy cultural exchanges or watch village art teams perform traditional tunes such as folk songs, rowing songs, and theatrical performances.

- Xuân Thủy National Park offers a central guesthouse with rooms priced at 400,000 - 500,000 VND per night. Visitors can contact in advance.

- Budget homestay services in nearby communes are available for only 100,000 - 150,000 VND per night.

- Visitors can rent boats from coastal households for 500,000 - 700,000 VND per trip for 4 - 5 people to explore the national park.

- Don't miss out on the unique cuisine when visiting Xuân Thủy National Park, such as jellyfish salad, braised wild carp with tamarind, grilled horseshoe crab, and wrapped fermented pork...

Source: Tuoitre.vn

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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook