Tam Dao National Park is one of northern Vietnam's major forests. The park runs for more than 80 kilometers across three provinces: Vinh Phuc, Tuyen Quang, and Thai Nguyen. It has a total area of almost 37,000 hectares, mostly natural primeval woods that surround Tam Dao Mountain.
According to Thuong, a 28-year-old Hanoian who works as a local tour guide, guests can enjoy the park any time of year. But many say Tam Dao is best to visit in the summer because of the pleasant climate.
Visitors to the park can appreciate the vast system of flora and animals while they camp, fish, and kayak. At spots like Xa Huong Lake, Dit Summit, and K75 waterfall, travelers can cool off in the freshwater.
There is no admission cost for the park, but travelers must register with local authorities at entrance gates and all visitors are expected to commit and closely adhere to forest conservation standards.
Tam Dao National Park's most famous camping spot is Xa Huong Lake. The hike to the lake is quite simple and suitable for youngsters aged 4 and older. From Xa Huong Dam, visitors take a 6-kilometer-long walk through the jungle to reach the lake.
The Tam Dao mountain range boasts a distinct variation of ecology. Plants such as camellia, yellow camellia, rhododendron, asarum petelotii, forest orchids, and creatures such as the five-bar swordtail, black squirrel, sunbird, and macaca arctoides are found along roads and pathways through the forest.
To reach Xa Huong Lake, visitors pass a variety of landscapes. You will begin with an easy trek through the pine forest along a pass that utilizes several "monkey bridges," a type of traditional wood or bamboo footbridge in Vietnam. The terrain becomes tougher after you pass the fern fields, as there are a couple of climbs up steep passes, and some wading through slippery streams.
It takes roughly two hours to get to Xa Huong Lake on average. Xa Huong is a man-made freshwater lake built in 1984 in the Con Trau mountain valley. Scenic minor creeks pour into it from all sides of Tam Dao National Park.
The lake is surrounded by natural forests. A green lawn at the lake's edge is great for camping and other outdoor activities. Because there is no electricity, internet, or phone coverage here, this spot is ideal for those looking for a calm location to rest.
Visitors can experience lakeside fishing, sightseeing on kayak trips, and swimming in the cool streams. Food can be cooked on the spot.
The Xa Huong Lake hike may be completed in a single day. For a full experience, Thuong recommends spending two days camping at Xa Huong Lake, during which guests can enjoy a BBQ party, build a bonfire, and enjoy both the sunset and dawn on the lake.
Tam Dao National Park also offers various tougher trekking routes to explore. Dit Summit, at 1,594 meters, is the highest mountain on the Tam Dao range and it is also the most challenging hike, with a remarkably steep sloped terrain. The trek to the summit of Dit Summit is around 12 kilometers long and takes 6 to 8 hours to finish.
Visitors may engage in a variety of outdoor activities at the summit of Dit. The trek to Dit Summit may be completed in a single day. It is advised that you bring your tents to camp overnight if you want to watch the sunset on the side of Tuyen Quang Province and the watch the sunrise chase clouds away in the early morning.
K75 Waterfall is a relatively unknown natural waterfall. The trekking distance to the waterfall is about 6 kilometers long and takes about 3 to 4 hours to finish. Just like Mount Dit, visitors can participate in numerous outdoor activities.
To have a better journey, Thuong recommends that guests avoid rainy and stormy days and hire a porter with expertise and knowledge of the area. You should carry small luggage, medical equipment, and proper attire, such as long-sleeved shirts and shoes with strong abrasion resistance. If you intend to camp overnight, bring flashlights, bug repellent, food, and drink. It is recommended that you pitch your tent on a high vantage point. And, before you leave the park, remember to bring back all of your waste.
