A New Life by Pa Phông Bridge

ĐBP - Pa Phông Bridge, a suspension bridge nestled in the mountainous commune of Huổi Só in Tủa Chùa District, is much more than a mere crossing. Spanning two towering rock cliffs, it elegantly connects Huổi Só’s centre to the Huổi Lóng resettlement area, stretching over a jade-green cove on the serene reservoir of the Đà River hydropower dam. The scenic charm of this setting is captivating, with Pa Phông Bridge now emerging as a sought-after destination for travellers drawn to the untouched beauty of Việt Nam’s northwest region, where the land and people enchant with their timeless allure.

Pa Phông Bridge spans a jade-green lake, creating a picturesque landscape and serving as an ideal destination for travellers.

As a highland region with challenging terrain and difficult access, tourism in Pa Phông developed quite late. Typically, visitors would simply pass through, admiring the views from Pa Phông Bridge before moving on across the reservoir, as the area offered no lodging, exploration, or experiential services. However, in recent years, with the rise of social media and the dedicated attention of local government officials in Tủa Chùa District, Pa Phông has gradually transformed into a must-visit destination for those exploring the rugged beauty of Tủa Chùa.

Nguyễn Văn Mạnh, Director of the Tủa Chùa District Centre for Culture, Broadcasting, and Television, explains, “With its majestic natural scenery, we have intensified promotional efforts in recent years, turning Pa Phông into a compelling attraction for visitors.” The centre has collaborated with the Tủa Chùa Youth Union, the Women’s Union, and the Huổi Só Commune Youth Association to mobilise social resources for landscape improvement. These efforts include planting trees, constructing stone walls, and creating walking paths around the base of Pa Phông Bridge, offering a picturesque setting for visitor check-ins.

Locals, recognising Pa Phông’s tourism potential, have also invested in complementary services, such as dining and overnight stays, creating a more immersive experience for visitors and adding to the charm of this hidden highland treasure.

In the final months of the year, visitors from all over journey to discover the pristine, picturesque beauty of Pa Phông Bay.

Exploring the beauty of Pa Phông, we visited Pa Phông Homestay, located right at the base of the bridge. It is the pioneering household in developing tourism services in Huổi Só. Quàng Thị Hoa, the homestay owner, said:  "Most visitors come to Pa Phông Bridge at the end of the year, during the high-water season, particularly around Tết. Since 2021, recognising the potential for tourism here, our family has invested in accommodation services."

Today, the homestay’s offerings have gradually expanded, allowing guests to experience local culture, cuisine, relaxation, fishing, and exploration of the reservoir. Each month, Pa Phông Homestay welcomes 11 to 15 groups, with each group ranging from 4 to 25 people, not including solo visitors. Most guests are local residents and international tourists. Thanks to this steady stream of visitors, the family earns around VNĐ30 million per month during peak water season.

As of now, in addition to Hoa’s homestay, five other families in Huổi Só Commune have started offering dining, rest stops, and boat trips in the Pa Phông Bridge area, contributing to the growing local tourism scene.

Visitors enjoy feeding fish and catching cage-raised fish on the reservoir.

As one of the five households investing in and developing tourism services around Pa Phông Bridge, Lý A Họp from Hamlet 2, Huổi Só Commune, shared: "Although the road from Tủa Chùa District centre to Huổi Só is still under construction, making travel difficult, the number of visitors hasn't declined. Taking advantage of the area's natural beauty, our family has set up a rest stop offering meals and boat trips for exploring Pa Phông Bay." He anticipates that by early 2025, the family’s facility will officially open to serve tourists.

Local families have established rest spots near Pa Phông Bridge to welcome tourists.

At Pa Phông, visitors can relax, explore the reservoir, and immerse themselves in the traditional culture of the local ethnic groups. They can also visit the Pê Răng Ky cave, the Lạng Giang stream, and take in the beauty of sunset along the winding roads that follow the Đà River reservoir.

With an increasing number of amenities, from fishing activities to rest areas, Pa Phông is becoming a vibrant destination. Here, a boat operated by Pa Phông Homestay offers tourists a unique perspective on the reservoir’s natural charm.

The socio-economic life of residents near Pa Phông Bridge in the highland commune of Huổi Só is thriving, thanks to the region’s natural beauty, the scenic landscape, and the support of local authorities. Most importantly, there has been a shift in mindset among the local people, who are now seizing opportunities, ready to invest in and develop tourism, bringing income to their families and transforming the face of their homeland.

Trần Nhâm
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'New face of Pú Nhung

    New face of Pú Nhung

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Implementing the two-level local government model, the (new) Pú Nhung commune was merged from three (former) communes: Pú Nhung, Rạng Đông, and Ta Ma. Carrying out the Resolution of the 1st commune Party Congress for the 2025 - 2030 term, the Party Committee, government, and ethnic peoples in the commune are gradually turning guidelines and orientations into concrete actions, awakening potential and internal strength for green and sustainable development.
  • 'Điện Biên’s localities make efforts in recruitment

    Điện Biên’s localities make efforts in recruitment

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - The selection and calling of citizens for enlistment is an important political task, demonstrating the responsibility of each locality in building an all-people national defense. With the motto “recruit one, be sure of that one,” localities in the province have completed the 2026 preliminary screening phase in a strict, serious, and regulation-compliant manner.
  • 'Year-end growth pressure

    Year-end growth pressure

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - 2025 is the final year of implementing the 2021 - 2025 Socio-Economic Development Plan, and also a pivotal year opening a new development stage. In this context, along with the determination to comprehensively complete the targets of the 14th provincial Party Congress Resolution, Điện Biên is facing many challenges to ensure its GRDP growth rate reaches the target of over 10.5%.
  • 'Shaping Điện Biên Phủ ward to become a cleaner, greener urban area

    Shaping Điện Biên Phủ ward to become a cleaner, greener urban area

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Streets swept clean, sidewalks tidied, and rows of neatly trimmed ornamental trees are becoming familiar sights in Điện Biên Phủ  ward. From every neighborhood to each street, a strong sense of civic responsibility and awareness in maintaining the living environment is emerging, shaping the image of a youthful, friendly, and civilized cityscape in this historic land.
  • 'Cooperation boosted to develop sustainable raw material zones

    Cooperation boosted to develop sustainable raw material zones

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Developing the fruit tree cultivation area is one of the appropriate directions to improve economic efficiency and exploit the locality’s potential and strengths in agricultural production. However, the consumer market for these products still faces many difficulties, prices are unstable, and the “good harvest, low price” situation often occurs.
  • 'Officials’ competence honed at the grassroots level

    Officials’ competence honed at the grassroots level

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Determined to make the grassroots-level apparatus operate more orderly and effectively, Điện Biên province has implemented a policy of seconding officials from departments and sectors to the commune level. This is a solution to strengthen the workforce and also a profound step in building a contingent of officials trained through practical experience.
  • 'Resolving difficulties in medicinal plant development

    Resolving difficulties in medicinal plant development

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - With many potentials and advantages, in recent times, all levels and specialized sectors have focused on researching and developing medicinal plant species, especially precious medicinal herbs under the forest canopy. This is considered a key direction to generate income, create jobs, and improve the lives of the people, especially for communities living near forests.
  • 'Education reforms lift learning quality in Điện Biên

    Education reforms lift learning quality in Điện Biên

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - After five years of implementing the 2018 general education program, Điện Biên province has seen significant progress in teaching and learning. Curriculum and teaching methods have been updated; school facilities continue to improve; and both teacher and student quality are rising.
  • 'Aiming to serve citizens better

    Aiming to serve citizens better

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - After 4 months of implementation, the two-level local government model in Điện Biên province has basically become stable, operating smoothly and effectively. The administrative apparatus at all levels is gradually adapting to the new model, affirming the correctness of the policy to rearrange and streamline the organizational structure towards being effective, efficient, and better serving the people and businesses.
  • 'Making winter crop a main production season

    Making winter crop a main production season

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - In recent years, the winter crop has become a main production season in many localities, contributing to increasing income for residents and contributing to agricultural growth. From awareness to action, farmers and all levels of government are striving to expand the area, diversify crops, and promote the application of technical advances, aiming for a sustainable commodity-based agriculture that adapts to climate change.
  • 'Sowing seeds of love for the forest

    Sowing seeds of love for the forest

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - The weekend at the experience area in the Mường Phăng special-use forest was bustling with the laughter of children and families joining a “chestnut gathering” activity. This wasn’t just a chill picnic in nature; the activity also carried a profound educational meaning about protecting the forest and the ecological environment.