Journey to the sacred place
From Thung Nai wharf (Phu Tho province), boats slowly split the waves to take tourists down to Hoa Binh lake. In the early days of May, many families and groups of friends still come to Chua Thac Bo temple every day to offer incense and pray for peace.
Unlike many spiritual tourist destinations, the journey to Chua Thac Bo Temple begins in the vast space of rivers and waters.
Hoa Binh Lake appears blue and clear, calm, surrounded by continuous limestone mountain ranges. Sitting on boats, many tourists take the opportunity to take photos, recording the poetic scenery of the Da River lake area.
Ms. Pham Thu Trang (a tourist from Hanoi) shared: "I like the feeling of going to temples by boat in the middle of the lake. The space here is very peaceful, both sightseeing and feeling lighter.
Accompanying his family on the pilgrimage, Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa (Hai Phong) said that this is the second time he has returned to Chua Thac Bo Temple.
Last year, going once, I saw beautiful scenery and a very peaceful atmosphere, so this year the whole family continues to return to pray for health and peace," Mr. Hoa said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Le Minh Anh (a tourist from Hung Yen) shared that what impressed her the most was the vast lake scene in the middle of the Northwest mountains.
Sitting on the boat looking at the blue water, I feel like I am separated from the usual hurried pace of life," Ms. Minh Anh said.
After nearly an hour of moving, the stone steps leading to Chua Thac Bo Temple gradually appeared on the mountainside. The temple is leaning against a cliff, facing the vast lake.
According to folk legend, the temple of Ba Chua Thac Bo is a place to worship 2 women respected by the people, Ms. Dinh Thi Van - a Muong ethnic person and 1 Dao ethnic woman in the Vay Nua region. During King Le Loi's uprising against invaders, the 2 women helped soldiers transport food and guide them across the Da River waterfalls and rapids to the Muong Le region (Son La) to suppress the Deo Cat Han rebellion.
After her death, people recounted that the two women often appeared to help boat riders safely overcome dangerous waterfalls. King Le Loi then posthumously awarded her merits and built a temple to commemorate her, from then on, Chua Thac Bo Temple became one of the important spiritual sites of the Northwest region.
The magical beauty in the heart of Thac Bo cave
After offering incense at Chua Thac Bo Temple, many tourists continue to visit Thac Bo cave, located not far from the boat wharf. The space inside the cave is cool, quiet, and stands out with a stalactite system formed over millions of years.
Under the lights, stalactite blocks appear with many unique shapes. Some blocks look like elephants standing, and some blocks look like Buddha statues meditating. Local people also call some stalactites "golden tree", "silver tree", symbols of fortune and luck.
Mr. Tran Minh Duc (a tourist from Ha Tinh) said: "Initially, I only thought of going to the temple to worship, but when I entered the cave, I found the scenery here very impressive. The space is both magical and peaceful.
Not only carrying spiritual values, Thac Bo cave is also a highlight in the journey to explore Hoa Binh Lake.
For many tourists, the trip is not simply a journey of offering incense and praying for peace, but also an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and regain a feeling of relaxation amidst the busy pace of life.
