01 Day - BACK TO NATURE IN TAM DAO HILL STATION

07:30 AM A trip to the picturesque hill station of Tam Dao in Vietnam will be a perfect escape. Tam Dao was built by the French in 1902 at an altitude of 2,850 feet on a large plateau that stretches 90 kilometres northwest of Hanoi. The word Tam Dao means three mountains because of the Thien Thi, Thach Ban and Phu Nghia which dominate the landscape. Take a stroll and see rare plants and trees that cover the mountain slopes. Its dense foliage is home to many species of animals, birds and butterflies. Tam Dao is usually damp and chilly throughout the year but the cool climate is what makes it an ideal getaway for holidaymakers. Take a dip in the emerald waters of the Suoi Bac (Silvery Stream) that meanders its way past the foot of Thien Thi. As you explore further, you’ll come across a waterfall cascading in three levels to form a pool and numerous pagodas. The quiet environs of Tam Dao and scenic landscapes make it a perfect holiday destination.

Tam Dao Hill Station
La Cascade d’Argent’ (Silver Waterfall) to the French, and Thac Bac to the Vietnamese. Tam Dao Hill Station was a popular place of escape from the heat of the Red River Delta. Hanoi residents sometimes call Tam Dao ‘the Dalat of the north’. This has more to do with its high elevation and cool climate than any resemblance to Dalat. If you’re living in Hanoi and would like to find a summer weekend retreat, it’s worth heading up for the cool weather and a change of pace

Tam Dao National Park was designated in 1996 and covers much of the area. Tam Dao means ‘Three Islands’, and the three summits of Tam Dao Mountain, all about 1400m in height, are sometimes visible to the northeast of the hill station, floating like islands in the mist. The relative dampness and altitude makes the area particularly rich in rainforest and associated animals. There are at least 64 mammal species, including langurs, and 239 bird species in the park, but you’ll need a good local guide and be prepared to do some hiking to find them.

Remember that it is cool up in Tam Dao and that this part of Vietnam has a distinct winter. Don’t be caught unprepared. Hikes vary from half an hour return to the waterfall, to eight hours into primary rainforest. A guide is essential for the longer treks and can be hired from us. The best time to visit is between late April and mid-October, when the mist sometimes lifts and the weather can be fine. As with other popular sites in Vietnam, weekends can be packed with Vietnamese tour groups, so try to make your visit during the week if possible.

The new Tam Dao Golf and Resort is causing quite a stir in the capital. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the ‘Three Islands’.