HÀ NỘI — Authorities in the central province of Thanh Hóa on March 15 launched a new tour linking the province and neighbouring Houaphanh Province in Laos.

Quan Sơn District in Thanh Hóa Province covers the Na Mèo Border Gate with Laos. The district also hosts various natural features like Bo Cúng Grotto (in Sơn Thủy Commune), Nang Non Grotto (Sơn Lư Commune), Nhài Village (Sơn Điện Commune), Pa Waterfalls (Tam Thanh Commune), hot stream in Khạn Village (Trung Thượng Commune), and the Ma Hao Waterfalls (Trung Hạ Commune).

The district also has various historical and cultural relics like the Tư Mã Hai Đào Temple (Sơn Thủy Commune) dedicated to a national hero from the 17th century, who made great contributions to the fight against Chinese invaders and Phả Lò Bridge (Trung Thượng Commune).

A series of activities will mark the launch ceremony, entertaining tourists in Quan Sơn District of Thanh Hóa Province and Viengxay District, Houaphanh Province in Laos, like a spring fair and Mường Xia Festival in Quan Sơn District. Locals from the two localities will perform an art show and attend a market at Na Mèo Border Gate.

The tour will take tourists to various handicraft villages in Quan Sơn District where they will be able to experience embroidery, rattan making, corn wine and producing traditional herbs.

Vieng Xay District in Houaphanh Province has nearly 500 spectacular caves, which were chosen as a revolutionary base for Laotian leaders between 1964 and 1972.

The natural caves run deep into the mountains, creating tunnels leading to ‘meeting rooms’ and ‘dining rooms’, where President Khamtay Siphandone and other revolutionary leaders lived and worked. The cave system was turned into a tourist destination for both domestic and foreign visitors in Laos. — VNS