Vietnam Culture & People

Bao Son eco-tourism area, titled "Bao Son Paradise", is currently one of the most attractive destinations for visitors, not only from Hanoi but also nationwide, during their weekends or holidays.

Bao Son Paradise, about 15km from downtown Hanoi, was funded by the Bao Son Group with an investment of 50 million USD. Although put into operations only recently, the site has become a repeat destination for many people in Hanoi.

Designed to become a high-quality tourist site consisting of several areas of entertainment, Bao Son Paradise is of both traditional and modern architecture. Passing the entrance gate, visitors seem to be lost into a tranquil world that is quite opposite to the crowded, bustling neighbourhood outside. An old quarter with the imprints of Hanoi's 36 ancient streets is re-produced on an area of over 5,000m². There are more than 20 houses standing next to each other roofed with tiles, which is similar with the Hanoi Old Quarter's architecture in the early 20^th century. A few houses in modern French-style architecture are also built. In the houses there are counters displaying various kinds of goods, such as fabrics, fine art articles, refreshments, etc… – a resemblance with daily life and trading activities of the Hanoians almost a century ago. On the pavements there are woman vendors wearing brown blouses, black skirts and kerchiefs selling green tea, candies and stuff wares. Now and then, a driver pulls a rickshaw with nickel-plated handles running back and forth to invite any passenger for a tour around the entire old quarter.

A short distance further is a complex of traditional craft villages. Visitors can see young rural women sitting beside the traditional wooden looms to weave fabrics; craftsmen chiselling stones to make statues or oriental parallel sentences; women weaving bamboo baskets, embroidering, making earthen pots ... All create a peaceful rural environment of the northern delta in the old times.

Visitors who love ornamental trees can visit the "royal garden" which has more than 500 species of orchids, various species of butterflies and huge statues of Arhat and Mitreya Buddha, each of more than 10m tall.

A modern entertainment area has an imposing stage for water musical performance, laser movie shows, and dolphin and seal performances, with a capacity of 7,000 seats. Not too far from this area is an aquarium, still under construction, deep into two man-made mountains. As expected, about 2,000 species of sea fish from other continents will be displayed, including sharks, skates, dolphins and seals, as well as many rare sea creatures and corals. In particular, there is a multi-functional entertainment quarter for people of different ages with impressive games and rides such as Ferris wheels, a horse ride, an outer space exploration, an electronic car race, thrill ride boating, a swinging train, a ghost house, etc. In addition, there is a 4D movie theatre having 48 rotating seats that makes the audience feel that they are in a fanciful world.

After touring around the area, visitors can relax by swimming in the cool pool, then going to the gastronomy quarter to enjoy delicious food including rice pancake shrimp cakes, steam sticky rice with chicken, eel porridge, rice noodle with fish, etc.

On moonlit nights, visitors will have a chance to contemplate Bao Son Paradise sparkled with colourful lanterns and bright fireworks.

Bao Son Paradise is a perfect choice for anyone yearning to relax after a long week of hard work. Come and enjoy it by yourself!

Story by Thanh Hoa

Photos by Tien Dung – Quang Ha - Copyright © Vietnam Pictorial