Con Dao in spring

A foreign tourist lies on Dam Trau Beach in Con Dao - Photo: Mong Binh

The white and pink peach blossoms in Con Dao signal the beginning of spring and the market in town is vibrant with floral colors.

Spring is the windy season in Con Dao, the archipelago off the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Strong winds increase the swell. The ocean is full of white caps and the crashing waves send white water high up the island’s many cliff faces. There are also havens for visitors to swim in the turquoise, calm sea.

Dam Trau Beach is one of the protected beaches on Con Dao, where locals and foreign tourists opt for relaxing strolls, rests and camping. This yellow-sand beach earned its name from an island legend about two lovers. The girl in the doomed love affair, Mai Thi Trau, committed suicide from the cliffs because she couldn’t tie the knot with the man she loved, who was revealed by her father to be her half-brother.

The love story has a sad ending, but a trip to Dam Trau Beach will certainly end in happiness for nature lovers. The small sandy bay is perfect for sunbathing, long walks and exploring the black cliffs that stretch into the water.

The cliffs divide Dam Trau Beach into two parts. The furthest beach from the road can be reached best at low tide. The tree-lined beach has a fresh water stream shadowed by a giant tropical almond tree whose leaves have turned red.

Red-leaved almond trees also line the esplanade and many of the streets in the sleepy little town on Con Dao. Most of them were planted over 100 years ago. 

The best time to tour Con Dao is summertime when the sea and the weather are calm, but a visit to the archipelago in the windy season promises a lot of excitement.

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Basking in the unspoilt wild of tranquil Quan Son Lake

Quan Son Lake, with its many small islands surrounded by forests
and hundreds of limestone peaks, retains its wild and tranquil beauty as
an idyllic out-of-the-way picnic spot in My Duc District, 50km from
central Hanoi.

The lake is considered a small Ha Long Bay on land.

Passing the East Bridge, visitors reach a wharf where, for only
VND60,000 (3 USD), they can be taken around the 850ha lake area by an
enthusiastic boatwomen.

The interesting tour gives
tourists a chance to behold the captivating scenery and enjoy the fresh
air. The site is also the home of many varieties of birds, including the
white egret.

During the trip, tourists will also see
unique white flowers floating on the surface of the lake. It's a strange
plant native to the lake, with leaves as round as the moon and blossoms
shaped like starfish.

In Quan Son, there are many
wonderful destinations, including Trau Trang (White Buffalo) Mountain,
Su Tu (Lion) Island, Doc Lap Island, Voi Phuc (Kneeling Elephant) Hill
and Hoa Qua Son (Flowers and Fruits Hill), each with its own natural
attractions.

The area is also famous for Linh Son and Ngoc
Long caves, which are not large but are dramatic, with stalactites and
stalagmites in various shapes of eagles, dragons, phoenix, unicorns and
tortoises. Tourists who arrive in the rainy season in June and July may
not have a chance to visit the caves, because the water level rises.

But in this season, waterfalls run down into the lake from the high
mountains, creating white spumes that add to the splendid scenery.

After the boat tour, a rest on the islands is suggested, where
stilt-houses serve as places to stop for a picnic. Visitors can bring
meals from home or ask the ferrywomen to buy food for a delectable
midday feast. Local specialities include chicken and goat raised on the
island, as well as fish, crab and snails from the lake.

Standing on the shore of Quan Son Lake, visitors marvel at the
magnificent and peaceful environment, with imposing cliffs overlooking
the green water and flocks of white egrets leisurely stretching their
wings.

From October to March, Voi (Elephant) Valley – the
bird watching point in Quan Son – is especially appealing, with a great
number of species flocking to build nests and shelters.

There are also some pagodas in Quan Son, such as Cao and Ham Yen.
However, Linh Son Pagoda, built during the Mac dynasty in the 16th
century, is located at the foot of the mountain near Linh Son Cave
and reflects on the surface of the lake.

About 20 rowboats and several motor boats are available at the lake to serve tourists, Huyen said./.

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