Escape the City and ‘Heal’ by the Creek: A Serene Retreat or an Unbelievable Hoax?

26 October, 2024

The video garnered 1.1 million views and thousands of interactions and comments. Many netizens were curious to find out the address of this resort.

According to our sources, the video was captured by Ms. Thuy Nguyen, a tourist from Hanoi, in November 2023. It was only recently that Ms. Thuy remembered this experience and shared it on social media.

Ms. Thuy and her friends rented a room at a resort in Ba Khan, Mai Chau, about 125km from Hanoi. This resort is nestled on a mountainside, overlooking a green valley and Hoa Binh Lake. It boasts a natural stream flowing through it, offering a sense of tranquility and peace, which is particularly loved by tourists.

“I used to travel to Moc Chau, so I only passed by Mai Chau. However, when I saw the pictures of the resort in Ba Khan with its natural stream, beautiful scenery, and fresh air, I was very impressed. My friends and I decided to rent a room by the stream to rest for 3 days and 2 nights,” shared Ms. Thuy.

Surprisingly, when Ms. Thuy checked in, it was raining heavily, and the stream was flowing strongly. “I posted the video mostly for fun, as our group was quite surprised, but we weren’t scared or worried. The strong stream was actually quite fascinating. The room had a wooden terrace overlooking the stream, with a small, cozy set of table and chairs for guests to enjoy the view while relaxing or dining,” Ms. Thuy said.

According to the female tourist, the accommodation here is quite comfortable and fully equipped. The rooms are built in the style of stilt houses, giving a warm and cozy feeling. The resort staff are enthusiastic, and the restaurant serves delicious local dishes at reasonable prices.

“There are many trees around the room, and the interior is made of wood, so it can get a little damp when it rains,” added Ms. Thuy. The cost for one night for Ms. Thuy’s group was 1.3 million VND per room.

The image of this room by the stream has been shared by many tourists, attracting attention on social media. Photo: Du Lich Ba Khan/Phan Hang

Below Ms. Thuy’s video, some tourists commented that the stream at this resort is indeed very clean and peaceful, with a “true healing quality.” However, during the rainy season, the water volume increases, creating the scene captured in Ms. Thuy’s video.

“Before booking, please ask the staff for advice. The summer here is incredibly cool and pleasant, and you’ll feel a sense of peace,” shared a tourist.

From the resort, tourists can walk to visit highland villages, climb mountains, and trek through the virgin forest. They can also go kayaking, take a boat ride on Hoa Binh Lake, visit caves, and more.

Ba Khan is the former name of a mountainous commune in Mai Chau District, Hoa Binh Province, comprising three villages: Khan Thuong, Khan Ha, and Khan Ho.

In 2020, Ba Khan, along with Phuc San and Tan Mai communes, merged to form Son Thuy commune. However, many tourists still refer to this area as Ba Khan.

Son Thuy Commune is about 50km from Hoa Binh city center and 25km from Mai Chau district center.

Many people choose Ba Khan as a stopover because of its pristine beauty. It is nestled amid majestic mountains and the vast Hoa Binh lake, creating a picturesque landscape like a Chinese painting.

In winter, Ba Khan is often enveloped in thick fog, reminding visitors of the beautiful town of Sa Pa in Lao Cai.

In summer, the area is lush with green mountains, the lake, and vegetation. Tourists can visit Go Lao Waterfall, Hang Kia – Pa Co, Thung Khe Pass, and explore the villages of the Muong and Thai ethnic groups, among other attractions.

The cuisine in Ba Khan is quite diverse. Must-try dishes include grilled river fish, la lom leaf-wrapped beef, capped-neck pork, steamed chicken, grilled chicken, sticky rice, sour pork with fermented bamboo shoots, five-color sticky rice, chicken with bamboo shoots, and ruou can (a Vietnamese alcoholic drink made from rice).

For those who enjoy experiencing and exploring, homestays are an excellent option to immerse themselves in the life of the Muong people, discover their customs and traditions, and enjoy their delicious traditional cuisine.

Additionally, tourists can opt for resort-style accommodations. However, there are still few resorts in the area, and they tend to be fully booked on weekends, holidays, and during the Tet festival, so advance booking is recommended.