Song Da reservoir

Stretching west from Hoa Binh is Song Da Reservoir (Ho Song Da), one of Vietnam's largest. The flooding of the Da River has displaced a large number of farmers for about 200km upstream, and is part of a major hydroelectric scheme generating power for northern Vietnam. In 1994 a 500kV power line was extended to the south, temporarily freeing Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) from seasonal power shortages. Easiest access to the reservoir is by taking a spur road that cuts off from Hwy 6 at Dong Bang function (60km west of Hoa Binh and just outside Mai Chau). From the junction it's about a 5km drive to Bai San Pier. There's no obvious jetty here - hang around and someone will come out from a house and ask where you want to go. You'll need a Vietnamese speaker to help make arrangements. One of the trips you can take is to the Ba Khan Islands. The islands are the tops of submerged mountains. The return trip to the islands takes three hours. Another possible boat trip is to Than Nhan village, home to members of the Dzao tribe. The boat leaves you at a pier from where it's a steep 4km uphill walk to the village. If you'd like to stay in the village, take the boat one way and get a return boat to Bai San Pier the next day.

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