Hoa Binh Lake
A reservoir behind the dam that once carried Vietnam's largest power station, with Muong and Dao villages on its shores.
Updated 30 August 2026
The Hoa Binh dam on the Da river was built between 1979 and 1994 with Soviet assistance and was for years the largest hydroelectric station in South East Asia; the reservoir behind it runs about two hundred kilometres up the valley and holds a great many islands, which are the tops of the drowned hills. Tens of thousands of people were relocated when it filled. The shores and islands hold Muong, Dao and Thai villages, several with homestays, and boats run from Thung Nai and other landings among the islands and to the Thac Bo shrine, a cave temple on the water.
The landscape
- A reservoir about two hundred kilometres long - behind the Da river dam.
- Islands that are drowned hilltops - scattered up the valley.
- Muong, Dao and Thai villages - on the shores, with homestays.
- Thac Bo shrine - a cave temple reached by boat.
When to go
September to November and March to May. Two days.
Before you go
Water levels change with the dam's operation and can leave wide mudbanks. Boat hire is negotiated informally. The relocation of tens of thousands of people is part of the lake's history. Homestays are simple.
Nearby
Mai Chau is west; Hanoi is east.
What to pack for Hoa Binh Lake
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Broken-in walking shoes or boots - Grip and ankle support matter more than looks; never hike in brand-new boots. Find on Amazon
- Head torch + spare batteries - Hands-free light is essential; caves are truly dark. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- Layers + a waterproof shell - Mountain weather turns fast; a packable rain jacket saves the day. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
