Xuan Lien – Where Nature and Cultural Identity Converge

26/08/2026
(Baothanhhoa.vn) – With its diverse ecosystems, majestic natural landscapes, and rich cultural heritage of the local ethnic communities, Xuan Lien National Park is gradually establishing itself as an attractive destination in western Thanh Hoa.

Xuân Liên - miền hội tụ của thiên nhiên và bản sắc văn hóaVisitors exploring a heritage tree at Xuan Lien National Park.

Set amid vast mountain and forest landscapes, Xuan Lien is home not only to lush primeval forests, cascading waterfalls tumbling down from the mountainsides, and high peaks shrouded in clouds throughout the year, but also to the expansive waters of Cua Dat Lake, all blending harmoniously into a picturesque natural landscape.

For nature lovers and those seeking adventure and new experiences, Xuan Lien offers a wealth of fascinating trails, where every step brings visitors closer to the pristine beauty of the great forests.

One of Xuan Lien’s signature destinations is Pu Gio Peak. From this cloud-covered summit, visitors can take in panoramic views of the majestic Xuan Lien mountains and forests, feel the cool moisture of clouds drifting around them, gaze across endless stretches of primeval forest, and admire the picturesque expanse of Cua Dat Lake below. When rhododendrons burst into bloom, their pure white blossoms set against the deep green of the mountains and forests make the landscape even more enchanting. Along the journey to explore Pu Gio, visitors can also discover remnants of an anti-aircraft artillery battlefield where Vietnamese soldiers and local people fought during the resistance war against the United States, revealing the historical depth that lies beneath the area’s natural beauty.

Winding through the forests of Xuan Lien are not only rich and rare plant and animal species, but also beautiful waterfalls that retain the pristine character of the mountains. Hon Yen Waterfall originates from Pu Gio Peak, at an elevation of more than 1,600 meters above sea level. Flowing year-round, its waters are refreshingly cool in summer and relatively warm in winter. A distinctive feature of Hon Yen Waterfall is the numerous large and small rocks that obstruct its course. As the water cascades down from above and strikes the rocks, white spray rises into the air, creating a cool, fresh atmosphere that offers visitors a sense of relaxation and tranquility.

Alongside Hon Yen Waterfall, Thien Thuy Waterfall is another highlight of Xuan Lien National Park. Amid the lively sound of rushing water and the vastness of the forest, Thien Thuy seems to whisper the story of the spiritual beliefs of the local Thai people. In the past, the waterfall was known as Mu Waterfall because it originates from Pu Gio Peak, which is shrouded in clouds throughout the year. Local people believe that on misty days, anyone fortunate enough to witness the moment when the waterfall suddenly emerges from the mountainside will be blessed with good fortune.

Thien Thuy Waterfall consists of four cascades arranged one above another, flowing down from the peaks of the Pu Ta Leo range at elevations of more than 1,400 meters above sea level. The highest cascade is approximately 500 meters above the stream bed. Over the years, the flowing water has sculpted the sheer rock walls into numerous fascinating shapes, creating a vibrant and ever-changing natural landscape.

Xuan Lien is attractive not only for its natural resources but also for its rich historical and cultural traditions. In the land once known as “Que Ngoc Chau Thuong,” visitors can explore numerous historical and cultural sites while experiencing the rich spiritual life of the local ethnic communities. The area’s intangible cultural heritage is reflected in stilt-house architecture, traditional costumes, cuisine, folk songs, dances, festivals, and customs. Traditional stilt houses nestled among the greenery, local dishes infused with the flavors of the mountains, the sound of gongs, khua luong rhythms, bamboo dancing, and other cultural practices have all contributed to distinctive tourism experiences rich in local identity.

At the same time, tangible cultural heritage adds further depth to tourism in Xuan Lien. Historical and spiritual sites such as Cua Dat Temple; the historical, cultural, scenic and spiritual complex dedicated to Cam Ba Thuoc and Ba Chua Thuong Ngan in Van Xuan Commune; Trinh Temple dedicated to Co Ba; and the Thai people's Temple of Heaven on Pu Pen Hill are important spiritual destinations for local ethnic communities and visitors from near and far.

A particularly distinctive feature of Thai cultural life in the area is the Nang Han Festival in Van Xuan Commune, which has been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The festival is associated with the legend of the female hero Nang Han, who rallied young men in the village to rise up against enemies, defend the Muong, and restore peace to the people. Nang Han has become a symbol of patriotism, indomitable spirit, and the important role of women in Thai community life. Every year, on the fifth day of the first lunar month, residents of Van Xuan Commune hold the Nang Han Festival to commemorate her contributions and pray for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, peaceful villages, and prosperous lives.

With such abundant resources, Xuan Lien National Park has considerable potential to develop a range of distinctive tourism products. These include eco-tourism and nature exploration at waterfalls, Pu Gio Peak, primeval forests, and habitats of rare, endemic flora and fauna; sightseeing cruises on Cua Dat Lake and upstream along the Chu River; spiritual tourism associated with Ba Chua Thuong Ngan Temple, Cam Ba Thuoc Temple, Co Temple, and the Lung Nhai Oath Ceremony site; and community-based tourism in buffer-zone areas where Thai and Muong communities continue to preserve their traditional customs and way of life.

In the buffer zones of Xuan Lien National Park, several community-based tourism destinations have emerged and are attracting visitors from near and far, including Ma Village and Vin Village. Traditional stilt houses glimpsed among the greenery, the warm aroma of ruou can rice wine, and the friendly smiles of local residents create a distinctive sense of welcome. Here, visitors can do more than simply sightsee and relax—they can immerse themselves in the cultural life of the villages, share meals and accommodation with local communities, and experience their daily activities, gaining a deeper understanding of the land and people of western Thanh Hoa.

To capitalize on these strengths and opportunities, in recent years the Xuan Lien National Park Management Board has proactively sought to attract investment for the development of eco-tourism, resort, and recreational activities. The management board has completed a master plan for eco-tourism, resort, and recreational development in the special-use forest through 2030, which was approved by the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee under Decision No. 5126/QD-UBND dated November 30, 2020. Previously, in 2019, Xuan Lien was officially recognized as a provincial-level tourism area. This provides an important foundation for gradually developing distinctive tourism products.

Xuân Liên - miền hội tụ của thiên nhiên và bản sắc văn hóaThien Thuy Waterfall – Potential for Tourism Development

Mr. Pham Anh Tam, Director of Xuan Lien National Park, said that the park’s management board has stepped up efforts to promote and publicize its values and tourism potential while improving existing tourism routes. In late 2024, with the aim of creating a breakthrough in tourism development in mountainous areas, the Thanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a ceremony to launch 12 forest trekking routes, including four trekking routes located within Xuan Lien National Park.

In recent years, Xuan Lien National Park has also supported and promoted community-based tourism models in Ma Village and Vin Village, helping create livelihoods and improve the living standards of people in the park’s buffer zones. Statistics from the Xuan Lien National Park Management Board show that the park welcomes an average of more than 1,000 visitors each year for sightseeing and study tours. Several investors have also conducted surveys and explored the possibility of developing eco-tourism projects in the area.

At present, the Xuan Lien National Park Management Board continues to promote and attract investment in eco-tourism development in accordance with the approved plan. Its priorities include developing and promoting distinctive tourism products, linking tourism development with biodiversity conservation, forest environmental protection, and preservation of local cultural identity, while contributing to socio-economic development in the mountainous region.

Today, Xuan Lien is embarking on a new journey—a journey to awaken the values that have long remained “hidden” deep in the great forests. As its potential is unlocked, infrastructure is improved, and local communities become active participants in tourism development, Xuan Lien National Park will gain greater resources to emerge as an attractive destination for eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and experiential travel on Vietnam’s national tourism map, further enriching the cultural identity and vitality of western Thanh Hoa.

Article and photos: Thuy Duong

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