Boat service for tourists on the Nho Que River, a popular destination in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam, has been suspended since Saturday as a result of an unresolved disagreement concerning the temporary management plan for tourist transportation services on the river.

Tu San Agricultural and Tourism Service Cooperative, the only tourist boat service provider on the Nho Que River, located in Meo Vac District, said that its passenger transportation contract with Nho Que 1 Hydropower JSC expired on September 15.

As per the announcement made on the same day, both the parties and the People’s Committee of Meo Vac District had not found a suitable resolution for extending the contract. 

Consequently, the cooperative made the decision to temporarily suspend the operation of tourist boats on the Nho Que River.

A 30-minute boat ride on the river, whose tickets cost VND100,000 (US$4.12) per person, takes tourists to Tu San Canyon, through the same route to the Nho Que 1 Hydropower Plant, and return to the boat dock.

Reputed to be Southeast Asia’s deepest canyon, Tu San Canyon boasts awe-inspiring features, including cliffs towering up to 800 meters, a length of 1.7 kilometers, and an astonishing depth of nearly one kilometer.

This canyon is the result of a wondrous process that unfolded millions of years ago, back when this area was submerged beneath the vast ocean. 

Through geological transformations, as the earth’s crust shifted and waters receded, erosion gradually shaped this distinctive and enduring geological marvel.

The canyon, along with the Nho Que River and Ma Pi Leng Mountain Pass, constitutes a trifecta of stunning natural landscapes in Meo Vac District, Ha Giang, making it an unmissable destination for tourists visiting the northern mountainous province.

The temporary halt in tourist boat services on the Nho Que River implies that travelers visiting Ha Giang during this period will miss the chance to encounter the renowned canyon.

However, there are alternative experiences available for visitors to select from, Giap Van Hai, a longtime professional tour designer and tour guide in Ha Giang, told the news site VnExpress.

Hai suggests that tourists consider embarking on a trek along the White Cliffs trail, which provides a gorgeous panoramic view of the Nho Que River and Tu San Canyon. 

The trek covers a distance of five kilometers and typically takes between 2.5 and 3.5 hours, depending on the physical condition and preferences of the visitors.

In addition, travelers can visit the section dubbed a ‘mini Tu San’ on the same Nho Que River for activities like stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, or traditional boating. 

This area, known as Khau Vai Canyon, is situated in the northern part of Meo Vac District, along the border between Ha Giang and Cao Bang Provinces. 

Similar to the famous Tu San Canyon, Khau Vai Canyon, located at the base of Ma Pi Leng Mountain Pass, boasts striking cliffs on both sides and a picturesque turquoise river.

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