The western part of Quang Tri province is known as an area that still has many potential tourist destinations, still preserving the wild beauty that few people know. One of them is Ta Puong cave, Ta Puong waterfall system in Huong Viet commune, Huong Hoa district. To reach Ta Puong cave and waterfall, visitors have to go about 60km from Dong Ha city along Highway 9 to Khe Sanh town (Huong Hoa district), from here turn to Ho Chi Minh road about 50km to reach the center of Huong commune. Vietnam. This is also the route through many famous tourist attractions such as: Ta Con airport, Chenh Venh waterfall, Sa Mu pass… with majestic mountain scenery chosen by many backpackers to experience. From the Ho Chi Minh trail, to go to Ta Puong cave and waterfall, visitors will go through Ta Puong Cultural Village with the peaceful stilt houses of the Pa Co and Van Kieu people. The road from Ta Puong Cultural Village to Ta Puong Cave has to go through the forest, wade streams, climb steep slopes… … it takes about 20 minutes to walk to the entrance of Ta Puong cave. Ta Puong cave has a wide door, a high ceiling of about 10m wide and deep into the mountain about 200m. The heart of the cave is divided into two parts, one side is a stream of clear water, the other side is sandy beach. The stream bed in Ta Puong cave has a width of 4-5m, the depth is uneven, there are places to wade through, there are places where you have to swim along the stream to get deep inside. To move inside the dark cave, you must bring a flashlight. The volume of stalactites in Ta Puong cave is not much, but nature favors creating many unique and unique shapes. A stalactite like a ceiling lamp is shining when illuminated under the flashlight. In addition to fish in the stream bed, Ta Puong cave recorded other animals such as bats living. People here said that, apart from indigenous people, Ta Puong cave has never been visited by outsiders until now. Therefore, the cave still retains its natural wildness. People become small before the natural beauty in the heart of Ta Puong cave. From the mouth of Ta Puong cave, follow the stream to the downstream for about 10 minutes, you will reach Ta Puong 1 waterfall. The waterfall has a height of 30-35m, has a large water flow, maintained all year round. The majestic Ta Puong 1 waterfall pours water all year round like a white silk strip through the lush green forest canopy with bold and wild charm of the western region of Quang Tri. Under Ta Puong 1 waterfall, there are many large and flat rocks for visitors to rest and enjoy the majestic scenery, while breathing in the fresh, cool natural air. About a 20-minute walk from Ta Puong 1 waterfall to the downstream is Ta Puong 2 waterfall. Here visitors can immerse themselves in the cool water in a lake of about 5,000 square meters, with clear water. With a short distance from each other, Ta Puong cave and Thac Puong waterfall 1,2 are new and attractive destinations for tourists who love to explore and immerse themselves in nature. Currently, Quang Tri province is also studying tourism development in these destinations.

During a trip to discover the village of Bru Van Kieu people in Quang Binh, blogger Vinh Bear took time to visit Cha Loi cave. Before the trip, the tour unit will give visitors helmets with lights, army shoes for trekking and gloves for climbing… The structure of Cha Loi cave is divided into 3 floors. The 2nd floor is the entrance to the cave, after that, visitors will move down to the 1st floor and finish by climbing up to the exit on the 3rd floor. “As soon as I got to the cave entrance, I saw the cool breeze inside blowing out. Turning on the flashlight to shine inside, I started the journey to discover Cha Loi”, Vinh Bear shared. The first impression is the stalactites in the cave. This blogger admitted to having “A eyes, O mouth” when looking at the natural masterpieces of Cha Loi cave. It is known that each year, stalactites are only about 0.03 mm long. Therefore, visitors absolutely do not touch or touch them during the exploration of the cave. Leaving the 2nd floor, you will go down to the 1st floor to continue the journey of discovery. The stalactites on this floor are equally majestic as the ones above. However, it is more special because there are stalactites like human heads. A stalactite block shaped like a bust of General Vo Nguyen Giap. In addition, Cha Loi cave is also known as “Ong Giap cave”. A better view of the famous stalactite in the cave. In the journey to explore the cave, you also need to be prepared to wade in the water. Some sections of water are just knee-high. However, there is a stretch of water up to the chest. Impressive pictures when checking-in in the cave is what you can expect with this exploration. The journey to explore Cha Loi cave takes about 4 hours. According to Vinh Bear, this is a relatively suitable journey for all subjects. “In my group there is a 60-year-old girl and two 6-year-old children, but walking is not difficult,” he said. After the adventure in the cave, the group moved to Ban Coi. There is a love valley area suitable for night camping. There are only 3 Bru Van Kieu households living in this area. After setting up the tent, you can immerse yourself in the cool stream to wash away dirt in the process of exploring Cha Loi cave. “The feeling is nothing. Alone, free to struggle”, Vinh Bear shared. The dishes will be prepared by Bru Van Kieu people. This time, the group enjoyed roast pork, walking chicken and fresh river fish. “One of the things I like most here is that people talk to each other more. This area has no phone signal, so messages and social media notifications can’t distract us,” he said.

Khe Sung and Coi Da villages are located on National Highway 9B, where the Bru-Van Kieu people live. The people here have a rich cultural treasure and are blessed with a charming landscape full of lakes, streams and magnificent cave systems. Among them are Cha Loi cave (Dai General cave), Van Cong cave, Van cave, Kieu cave, Nuoc Lanh slot… In addition, this place also has grasslands like on the vast green steppe that the locals call it. “Valley of Love”. Coming to Ngan Thuy, tourists will visit Cha Loi cave. Inside the cave, there is a system of “stalagmites” and stalactites that are still intact, such as stalactites, white tubular stalactites, elephant symbols, chandeliers, wells and underground rivers. It is likened to a magnificent palace. The beauty inside Cha Loi cave. Inside, there are 7 stalactite columns erected to the ceiling of the cave, carved by the Creator in all shapes and shimmering. At the end of the cave is a stage created by the armed forces during the anti-American years to organize meetings and public and cultural speeches. Talking about Nuoc Chien slot in Coi Da village, many tourists inside and outside the province already know about the wild beauty here. Coming here, visitors will experience when bathing in the cool, blue spring water, flowing through the rocky crevices and enjoying the peaceful space and beautiful scenery among the green forests in the vast mountains. .. Coming to the Bru-Van Kieu people in Khe Sung and Coi Da villages, visitors will enjoy the captivating folk songs and enjoy the local cuisine with many delicious and unique dishes. Every year, in the 10th lunar month, visitors can also attend the famous new rice celebration of the Bru-Van Kieu people. Change through travel At the end of 2018, Netin Tourism and Information Co., Ltd opened a tour to explore nature and learn about the culture of Bru-Van Kieu people in Quang Ninh and Le Thuy districts. Mr. Tran Xuan Cuong, Director of the Company said: “On the first day, I took a group of experts to survey to open the tour, the villagers looked at me with strange and probing eyes. When listening to me explain how to organize discovery tourism, with absolute respect for the natural landscape, people understand and actively cooperate.” Currently, the tour is attractive with experiences, such as: exploring caves, bathing in streams, sleeping in tents in the forest, camping in the valley of love, learning about life and enjoying local products. In order to develop tourism in a sustainable way, the company has supported people with 40 million VND, combined with other resources to build 7 models of fruit trees. Ms. Ho Thi Luu in Coi Da village raises chickens to provide tourists. Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Secretary of the Party Committee of Ngan Thuy Commune said: “Since the tourist route came here, the potential of the locality has begun to be awakened. They also have income from selling agricultural products and souvenirs. The festivals of the people have more conditions for development”. On average, each year, Coi Da and Khe Sung villages welcome about 1,000 tourists, directly creating jobs for 12 local households. The products they produce, such as: sticky rice with charcoal, wicker products, chickens, and pigs are all consumed. In order to serve and develop the economy and tourism, in recent years, Bru-Van Kieu people in Ngan Thuy commune have also been supported to grow glutinous rice, build model gardens, develop livestock and many other industries. Other benefits… Ms. Ho Thi Luu’s family, in Coi Da village, Ngan Thuy commune, grows 3.5 sao of wet rice for two crops, each year getting nearly a ton of rice. In addition, she also raises cows and hundreds of poultry to serve tourists. In the sample garden, she planted over 100 pepper trees and many fruit trees. Besides, she also trades and opens food and beverage services to serve tourists. Some weeks, her family welcomes from 2 to 3 groups of tourists up to dozens of people. With the diversified economic development, each year, Ms. Luu’s family has an income of nearly 100 million VND. “Since doing tourism, I have learned how to cook, raised ant chickens, and grown glutinous rice to serve guests. As a result, family life is also increasingly improved. I no longer have to go to the forest to cut wood,” said Ho Vui, a resident of Coi Da village. Mr. Vui’s house is near Nuoc Chien slot, where many tourists visit. Taking advantage of this, his family opened a food service, selling groceries, so the income was stable. Mr. Ho Van Thin, from Khe Sung village shared: “Every time a tourist comes, I am called by Nettin Tourism and Information Co., Ltd. to carry goods and support campers. At my house, I also work as an “office” for guests to send things, cook and rest … “. Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Secretary of Ngan Thuy Commune Party Committee, added that the local tourism potential is great, so the commune creates favorable conditions for units wishing to invest and exploit. The commune will also support people with cooking training, home improvement, environmental sanitation, restoration of folk songs, musical instruments and traditional knitting. In economic terms, the commune will mobilize people to develop afforestation, animal husbandry, planting more trees and fruit trees; building model gardens, investing in more facilities to make tourism in a sustainable way…

The majestic cave contains a primeval forest inside. Photo: Dang Thuy Duong.

The journey to discover the full length of Tiger Cave, Over Cave and Pygmy Cave is currently not conquered by many tourists. These caves are considered masterpieces of nature, with wild and magnificent landscapes.

Below is a 3 day 2 night schedule of readers Tran Tuan.

Journeys:

Mountain climbing: 20 km

Cave discovery: 5.5 km

Swimming pool: 300 m (optional)

Minimum age to participate: 12 years old

Cost:

Tour price does not include air tickets: 7.7 million VND (with 20% discount)

Homestay 2 nights: 700,000 VND

2-way airport shuttle: 1.2 million VND

Schedule:

I flew at 18:00 from Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), about 20 o’clock then landed at Dong Hoi airport (Quang Binh), boarded a transfer to the homestay to rest to prepare for the journey the next day.

The first day

At 7:00 am, the group gathered for breakfast, then listened to the tour guide introduce briefly about the schedule and some safety regulations during the trip.

8:00 am, the group starts to move to the starting point. 9am start to go through the forest, the first move is quite easy, the group will stop for lunch and rest in the middle of the forest for about 1 hour.

Members will receive an overview of the trip before commencing.

After lunch break, you will continue moving, at 15:00 the group will approach Pygmy cave, the campsite will be right at the mouth of the cave.

After more than half a day walking through the forest, the members were quite tired, so after arranging the furniture and dividing the tents for each person, the group went to the pool to bathe. Dinner at 5:00 pm, the group exchange and chat until 9pm, ending the first day.

The scene appeared majestic, overwhelming.

Monday

After breakfast, the porters (porters) will assist people wearing climbing protective equipment to proceed deep inside Pygmy cave. Yesterday to the cave entrance was overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery. This is the time when the whole group is quite tired.

Inside the cave, after climbing for about 10 m, it will cross the dinosaur’s spine, continue to follow the seat belts along the cliffs to the back door.

The members entered the Pygmy cave later.

After leaving Pygmy cave, you will continue to move the forest path for about 30 minutes to reach the mouth of Over cave. Preparing the safety equipment, the members of the delegation began to move through the cave, about 3.2 km long and about 1.5 hours of traveling.

The inside of the cave has absolutely no light. Flashlight is both a tool to observe the road as well as to watch giant stalactites with different shapes.

Continue the journey to explore Hang Over. Photo: Dang Thuy Duong.

This unique stalactite system was formed hundreds of millions of years ago. The highlight in the cave is a huge 125 m deep hole called “Massive Attack” containing dry limestone wells and cave pearls of varying sizes and shapes.

Beautiful moving gems.

Leaving Over cave, the group will rest for lunch. Then continue across the forest to reach the mouth of the Tiger cave.

The group will leave the luggage on the bank and start swimming through the underground river in the cave (about 150 m), the water in the river is clear and cool. At the end of the underground river is a beautiful view, the stone steps covered with green grass, the stalactite platform above has water pouring down like a shower.

Then the group moved to another way inside the Tiger cave, swimming about 500 meters through the Kong Collapse sinkhole. This section, the baggage will be loaded onto the buoy. At 4:00, the group arrives at Kong Collapse, which is the camping ground for the second night. The landscape at Kong Collapse, according to Tuan, is the most beautiful in the whole trip.

The third day

On the morning of the third day, the group will swing on the cliffs of Kong Collapse to take pictures. After breakfast, you will swim about 300 meters to reach the exit (this move you can choose to take a float boat, because going through a long physical journey sometimes not feeling well).

At the exit, after changing clothes and bringing their luggage, the group will go to the forest to return to the gathering point.

14:00 will arrive at the gathering point, and take the shuttle bus back to the tour office at 15:00, ending the journey.

I stayed at the homestay for one night and took a morning flight from Dong Hoi to Tan Son Nhat at 10:00 am the next morning.

The whole group ended the journey impressively.

Some note:

• Should use backpacks with support belts at the hips and chest to reduce pressure on the shoulders

• Must use trekking shoes, wearing regular sneakers will cause more difficulties, and if the shoes have drainage ditches and dry as quickly as possible.

Clothing should be cool and light

• Should bring a small towel to wet wipe the body, effervescent tablets, energy bars, patches, muscle pain relievers, flashlight, knee protector thick or covered with metal pad, gloves with good grip, dry shampoo

• No need to carry too many backup chargers because in the condition of loss of signal, the phone can be maintained for quite a long time

• This trip does not require too much fitness, but if you have training for the trip, it’s still better.