There is a distinct sense of peace here, as if the pace of life has deliberately slowed down to let nature speak for itself. Locals explain that since the Sơn La Hydropower plant officially closed its dam to store water in May 2010, the face of this land has changed forever. The once-rushing Đà River has expanded into a vast reservoir covering dozens of hectares, where limestone islands emerge from the water like a “Hạ Long Bay on the mountain.”

From high vantage points, the reservoir looks like a soft green silk ribbon draped over vertical limestone mountains. During autumn, the water remains crystal clear, reflecting the mountains and clouds with a surreal clarity. The shoreline is often dotted with wild forest flowers, adding a layer of enchantment to the landscape.

Exploring the Sơn La Hydropower reservoir by boat offers a unique perspective on this intersection of water and stone. The boat glides slowly across the calm surface, leaving small ripples that quickly vanish. On either side, limestone outcrops jut out, occasionally forming small bays where the water reaches deep into the cliff faces, creating towering walls of rock. Near the Pa Phông bridge area, the river curves gracefully through the wilderness. Hoàng Tuấn Anh, a tourist from Hồ Chí Minh City, noted that while he has traveled to many places, few offer a scene that is simultaneously as poetic and majestic as this, particularly where the river bites into the cliffs to create secluded bays.

The banks of the reservoir are also home to the traditional stilt houses of the Thai and Dao ethnic groups. These homes are nestled against the mountain slopes with their backs to the forest and faces toward the water. Life here remains deeply tied to both the mountains and the reservoir, simple yet warm. The emergence of this large body of water has opened new livelihoods for the local people, ranging from aquaculture to tourism services.

Many families have recognized the special potential of the landscape and invested in boats to carry sightseers. Vừ A Só, a resident of Huổi Só village, invested over VND 1 billion to build a boat that serves both as a tourist vessel and a means of transporting goods. He observed that many visitors initially only intend to take a short loop, but once they see the beauty of the area, they often request to travel further to explore the neighboring communes in the adjacent province.

In village 2, Tẩn A Dành, another boat operator, shared his pride in hearing visitors praise the beauty of his homeland. For him and many others in Tủa Thàng commune, engaging in tourism is not just a source of income but a way to introduce the charm of this land to a wider audience. This grassroots enthusiasm is the heartbeat of the local tourism industry, grounded in authentic hospitality.

Phạm Quang Long, chairman of the Tủa Thàng commune people’s committee, explained that beyond the “Hạ Long Bay on the mountain,” the commune possesses other natural gifts such as the ancient ban flower forest in Tà Si Láng village and the Pê Răng Ky cave. To exploit these strengths, the commune has prioritized the dissemination and popularization of these destinations. Authorities are actively connecting with investors and travel agencies to survey and establish new tour routes.

The commune has also focused on infrastructure such as transport, electricity, clean water, and lodging to attract visitors. Since 2021, the commune has welcomed approximately 2,250 tourists. While the revenue from services is not yet massive, it affirms the unique value of Tủa Thàng. Looking forward, the administration is focusing on a master plan for reservoir eco-tourism that emphasizes the preservation of ethnic cultural identities.

Tủa Thàng is committed to creating a favorable environment to attract investment, especially non-budget resources, into eco-tourism and community cultural tourism. Future projects will link tourism development with the goal of preserving the landscape and ethnic identity. Specifically, the commune aims to develop Huổi Lóng village into a community cultural-tourism village and establish formal tours through the Sơn La Hydropower reservoir. Additionally, there are calls for investment to turn the Huổi Trẳng boat wharf into a primary hub for visitors.

As evening mist settles over the water and the limestone peaks cast long shadows onto the deep blue reservoir, Tủa Thàng commune slowly fades into the twilight. It is a land where nature is generous and people are sincere, leaving a lasting impression on those who visit.