Explore Bach Ma National Park, an Unexpected Hue Destination
If you visit the dreamy Hue land and want to find interesting nature trips and immerse yourself in nature, do not miss Bach Ma National Park - a hidden gem in the Central region that attracts tourists with its magnificent natural landscape and diverse experiences. This is Vietnam's only primary forest corridor connecting the country from the East Sea to the Vietnam-Laos border.
1. An Overview of Bach Ma National Park
Bach Ma National Park is located in Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province, 40 kilometers from Hue and 65 kilometers from Da Nang, in a mountainous area on the border between the North and South of the country. Bach Ma National Park is located in the Annamite Mountains, which contain numerous mountain ranges with peaks over 1,000 meters that run horizontally from west to east.
Bach Ma National Forest covers nearly 37,500 hectares and is located at an average elevation of 1.45m above sea level. This is a large primary forest that is home to 2373 plant species and 1715 animal species, including many rare species listed in the Red Book of Vietnam and the World Red Book of Endangered Species.
The name Bạch Mã is derived from several anecdotes concerning the mountain's perpetual cloud cover. People in this area used to look up and see the white mist rising to form a horse-shaped mass. According to another legend, a general rode a white horse up the mountain and then mysteriously vanished.
Bach Ma National Park's weather is divided into two distinct seasons: dry season and rainy season. The dry season, which lasts from 12 to 4 months each year, is the best time to visit because the climate of the national park is quite cool, it is dry, it rains less, it is easy to move around, and it is convenient to participate in outdoor activities such as trekking, swimming, and camping... The climate is also cool during the rainy season, but there are frequent showers, which can impede your movement.
2. How to Get to and Explore Bach Ma National Park
The national park is accessible by motorbike or taxi rental from Hue's city center and Da Nang. The following route takes less than two hours by motorcycle and approximately 50 minutes by taxi:
- Motorbike: Begin in the center of Hue, run straight to National Highway 1A in the direction of Da Nang, go to the Phu Loc district, and when you see a sign indicating the way to Bach Ma Hue National Park, continue to follow the instructions to arrive, and purchase a ticket to Bach Ma National Park.
Taxi: Many tourists prefer to travel by taxi, which takes about 50 minutes from Hue to Bach Ma Hue National Park and is both convenient and safe.
The path to the summit of Bạch Mã is winding and winding.
Motorbikes are not permitted inside the park, so if you ride one, you must park your car outside. The distance from the Bach Ma National Park gate to the peak area is approximately 19 kilometers; you can visit the garden in one of two ways:
- Walking: You can learn more about the biodiversity at Bach Ma National Park by walking a long distance, but it will be exhausting.
- Car rental: There is a car rental service at Bach Ma National Park, or you can buy a tour for a group for 900,000 VND / round trip to fully explore Bach Ma National Park. To save money, travel in groups or book a tour in advance in Hue or Da Nang, or arrive early at the national park gate to apply for a group.
3. Must-see attractions within Bach Ma National Park
As soon as you enter the forest, you can sense the freshness and peace. As you climb higher, the temperature drops, so bring a jacket with you. The average temperature in the park is around 25°C, but at an elevation of 1,200m, it drops to 19°C.
Bach Ma National Park also contains more than 55 species of valuable animals and more than 500 species of plants, including many rare species of trees such as rosemary, rosemary, Bach Ma nuggets, and so on, bringing the beauty that fascinates nature lovers. Many strangely shaped animals, such as saola, blue pheasant, and star pheasant, can be found along the small paths leading into the deep forest.
4.Go to Vọng Hải Đài (marine observatory)
The car will take visitors on a 20-kilometer journey around the mountain to reach the first attraction, Vong Hai Dai. Vong Hai Dai is the highest point in Bach Ma National Park, located on the majestic Bach Ma peak at an elevation of about 1,430m above sea level.
It was constructed by the French. The majestic mountain scenery of Bach Ma National Forest, Lang Co Bay, poetic Fly Lake, and the majestic Truc Lam Zen Monastery can all be seen from Vong Hai Dai. This is a sightseeing route that is appropriate for visitors of all ages.
5.Discover Ngũ Hồ Bạch Mã
To get to Ngũ Hồ Bạch Mã, walk down about 2 kilometers from Vong Hai Dai to Do Quyen villa, then follow the road sign for about 3 kilometers (or drive this route 5 kilometers) to Ngũ Hồ to explore 5 small lakes that form a large stream with enchanting beauty.
The water in Ngũ Hồ Bạch Mã is clear, and each lake has its own unique terrain, creating a beautiful scene reminiscent of a watercolor painting. Tourists who visit are also pleased to say that Ngũ Hồ Bạch Mã is a heavenly wonder hidden in the midst of mountains and forests and that they are extremely magical. Many visitors come here for lunch and a swim after walking about 30 minutes down the forest road into the lake.
6.Đỗ Quyên Waterfall
Do Quyen Waterfall is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Bach Ma Hue National Park. According to the route, the next stop is Do Quyen waterfall, which is about 2-3 kilometers from the Ngũ Hồ.
Visitors often sit on the rocky ledges where the water flows down into the waterfall from the top of the waterfall, which has an altitude of up to 300 m, and enjoys the panoramic view of the mountains looming in the clouds, even on sunny days. The waterfall is named Rhododendron because its two sides have the flooded appearance of azaleas. Azaleas bloom white in a region every three months. This is also the time of year when the weather in Hue is pleasant.
You can admire the waterfall's grandeur by following the sign down nearly 700 steps to the waterfall's base.
7. Old French villas
If you have time, you can see the architecture of some abandoned villas on the top of Bach Ma, which were once a resort for French officers and the Hue elite.
8.Dwarves Village
After visiting all of the national park's elevated locations, the "dwarf village" at the foot of Bach Ma Mountain is a recommended spot for visitors to rest and take check-in photos. This is a picnic area inspired by the hobbit dwarf in the popular film "The Lord of the Rings." Admission to the resort costs 100,000 VND for adults and 60,000 VND for children aged 0.9 to 1.3 m. Children under the height of 0.9 m are entitled to free admission.
9. Truồi Lake
You should also visit Truồi Lake at the mountain's base, rent a cool boat in the middle of the natural landscape, and then visit Truc Lam Bach Ma Monastery. Visitors can view the mountains from above while being guided to practice meditation (if booked in advance).
10.Visit Truc Lam Bach Ma Monastery
The monastery is located in the middle of T fly lake, on Linh Son mountain. From here, you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery of T fly lake or explore the monastery's architecture, which includes the road nest, main hall, tăng đường, trai đường, and so on.
Source: Wanderlust