Quang Tri seeks investment for Brai- Ta Puong tourism project

The Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee has approved the subdivision planning project for the Brai-Ta Puong eco-tourism area in Huong Hoa district, covering 170 hectares. This approval serves as a basis for the province to attract businesses to invest in and develop the tourism potential of this area, enhancing its role within the interconnected tourism network in the western part of the province and neighboring regions.

Nguyen Duc Tan, Director of the Center for Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion, stated that the approval of the Brai-Ta Puong eco-tourism zone planning aims to attract investment to develop the area into a provincial-scale destination. The project combines eco-tourism, community tourism, and adventure tourism to create a cultural tourism space with unique and appealing offerings. This development is expected to promote sustainable socio-economic growth, protect the environment, improve residents' quality of life, and enhance regional connectivity. Additionally, it aims to preserve, promote, and develop the area’s natural, ecological, and cultural values.

Tourists at Ta Puong Waterfall. Photo: Tu Linh

The Brai-Ta Puong eco-tourism area includes Brai Cave in A Xoc village, Huong Lap commune, and Ta Puong Waterfall in Trang Ta Puong village, Huong Viet commune. The boundaries are the northern bank of the Se Pang Hieng River and A Xoc stream to the north, the Ho Chi Minh Highway (western branch) and forest land in Subdivision 626 to the west, and forest land in Subdivisions 639A, 639B, and 640 to the east and south.

The project is divided into four zones: (i) Brai Cave tourism area (46.5 hectares) includes forest tourism spaces, forest conservation education, farm tourism, residential areas, parking lots, and technical infrastructure; (ii) Community tourism area (39.5 hectares) features forest tourism spaces, forest conservation education, educational and cultural land, residential areas with homestay services; (iii) Farm tourism area (24 hectares) includes service areas, resettlement zones, and farm tourism; (iv) Ta Puong Waterfall tourism area (60 hectares) comprises service areas, educational land, forest camping sites, resorts, residential areas, community spaces, parking lots with rest stops, and technical infrastructure.

The plan emphasizes preserving the natural ecological landscape in special-use and protection forests, allowing only essential constructions like walking paths and rest stops using eco-friendly materials. Architectural design must harmonize with the natural environment, preserving the area’s terrain and landscape while minimizing ecological impact.

Tourism service and entertainment areas are located outside natural forest land. Architectural planning ensures a balance between tourism development and community spaces, with structures reflecting local architectural styles and integrating with gardens and natural landscapes.

Another view of Ta Puong Waterfall. Photo: H.N

The planned area, entirely east of the Ho Chi Minh Highway (western branch), benefits from convenient transportation, using the highway as the main axis with secondary paths leading to key sites via trails, concrete, and dirt roads. The road network is designed with a width of 7m-13m to facilitate future expansion.

According to Nguyen Duc Tan, Brai Cave and Ta Puong Waterfall are among Quang Tri’s most renowned natural attractions, featuring diverse ecosystems. The unique ecological landscape of these sites promises to attract both domestic and international tour operators.

Inviting businesses to invest in the Brai-Ta Puong eco-tourism area aligns with the development of a key tourism route from Dong Ha to Khe Sanh and Huong Lap. This route, highlighted in the Provincial People’s Council’s Resolution No. 35/2017/NQ-HDND on the master plan for Quang Tri’s tourism development through 2025, with a vision to 2030, is crucial for the province’s tourism strategy.

Additionally, the Brai-Ta Puong area is part of a national inter-regional tourism route along the Ho Chi Minh Highway from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, offering significant potential to become a prominent tourism destination with proper investment.

Recently, Ta Puong Waterfall in Quang Tri has become a beloved destination for domestic tourists, thanks to its picturesque, pristine, and refreshing natural scenery. The waterfall flows gently year-round, cascading over rocks into a turquoise pool set within a primeval forest, creating a scene as vivid and lively as a traditional ink painting.

Located in Huong Viet commune, Huong Hoa district, about 60 km from Dong Ha city, Ta Puong Waterfall may be distant from the city center, but the journey there is mesmerizing, with lush greenery and majestic mountains captivating visitors. The rustic stilt houses of the Pa Co and Van Kieu ethnic communities further enchant tourists, along with ancient trees, some hundreds of years old and so large that several people are needed to encircle them.

To reach the waterfall, travelers follow National Highway 9 (part of the East-West Economic Corridor) to Khe Sanh town, then turn onto the Ho Chi Minh Trail for another 50km to Huong Viet commune. From there, it’s about another 5km to Trang Ta Puong junction, where locals can provide directions to the waterfall.

The scenic area consists of three main zones: Ta Puong Waterfall 1, Waterfall 2, and the natural cave. To reach these areas, visitors must traverse vast pristine forests, where the scenery retains its untouched beauty, with lush green foliage and the characteristic humidity of tropical forests. The rustle of the wind is accompanied by a chorus of birdsongs, while in the distance, the thundering sound of cascading waterfalls can be heard. Together, they create a majestic and poetic natural landscape.

Ta Puong Waterfall 1 is a natural cascade plunging 20 meters down onto the rocky slopes of the mountain, sliding over precarious cliffs. Consequently, the trail to the first waterfall is also attractive to adventure enthusiasts or nature-loving tourists.

The area at the foot of the waterfall features many large rock formations with diverse shapes, providing ideal spots for resting and organizing outdoor picnics. Although the water body at Ta Puong 1 is not very wide, it contains numerous small ponds of varying sizes. The rocks, ranging from rugged to flat surfaces, are interspersed among the water bodies, flanking both sides of the waterfall. Visitors can sit atop the large rock formations to admire the entire scene as the waterfall cascades from above, creating a picturesque sight with its frothy white spray. In the refreshing coolness of the small ponds, visitors can indulge in swimming or immerse themselves to cool off.

About a 20-minute walk from Waterfall 1 is Waterfall 2, a popular spot for swimming among many tourists. The water body here spans approximately 5,000 square meters, with a maximum depth of about 10 meters. Besides swimming, visitors can also enjoy various activities such as boating, kayaking, or simply appreciating the scenery around the lake.

From Ta Puong village, visitors have to climb over mountain passes and trek through streams for about 20 minutes through the forest trail to reach Ta Puong cave. The cave is about 10 meters high and extends about 200 meters deep into the mountain, with its interior being quite dark and damp. The cave is divided into two parts: the stream and the sandy beach. The cave impresses visitors with its system of stalactites and stalagmites, resembling a radiant ceiling lamp.

Additionally, apart from Ta Puong Cave and the waterfalls, this area also boasts many other beautiful and pristine destinations awaiting exploration, such as Sa Mu Pass, Brai Cave, Lao Bao Prison, and Ta Con Airport, among others. Currently, Quang Tri province, along with Oxalis Company, has developed investment plans for the Ta Puong tourist area, offering various enticing activities including sightseeing, waterfall bathing, high-altitude trekking, dining, and accommodation.

Tu Linh - Ngoc Mai