Heartbroken with Sao Va waterfall

(Baonghean) -Sao Va Waterfall (Que Phong District) is considered a natural wonder bestowed upon the Western region of Nghe An, planned to be developed into an eco-tourism destination of the province. However, coming here at this time, there is so much sadness...

My friend - in Hanoi - had heard about Sao Va waterfall through books and newspapers, so when he and his family went on vacation to Cua Lo beach, he expressed his wish to visit Sao Va waterfall once. Although the road was far away, seeing that my friend was so enthusiastic, I accepted. And it was sad when we arrived here, because with what was visible, Sao Va waterfall and the rest of the eco-tourism area were no longer like in books and newspapers.

To get to Sao Va waterfall, from Phu Phuong intersection (Tien Phong commune), we followed the strategic road of Western Nghe An (about 4km), then followed the sign to turn onto the concrete road to get to the waterfall area. The concrete road is about 300m long, with only a few houses and full of bushes. When we reached the parking lot next to the waterfall, the space was very quiet. There was only one private tourism business left here but there was absolutely no one.

On a high ground next to the waterfall, hidden in the dense bushes, there is a 4-room house (said to be the business location of Que Phong District Trading Company) that has been abandoned. The grass fields next to the waterfall are littered with all kinds of garbage such as fruit peels, canned goods, plastic bags... And the saddest thing is that the water of Sao Va waterfall is a thick yellow color because of mud. The rocks around the waterfall are also covered with mud. Before the scenery here, my friend said: I have read in books and newspapers that on both sides of Sao Va waterfall are green forests, the waterfall gently slopes and curves, wearing away each precarious rock slab. The clear blue water of Sao Va waterfall flows along the two rocky banks under the shimmering sunlight, looking so gentle. Why is it like this now...

The water of Sao Va waterfall is golden yellow.

To answer your question, we went to ask the people in the surrounding area. According to them, for several years now, every dry season, the water at Sao Va waterfall has dried up, but this season, there is a lot of water but it is dirty and muddy. And because it is no longer very attractive, the tourism services around the waterfall have almost gradually withered away... Why is the water at Sao Va waterfall dirty and muddy? The people sadly said that the upstream areas are suffering from mineral exploitation, the streams that bring water all carry mud and dirt, so how can the water at the waterfall be clean...

Leaving Que Phong, carrying your thoughts, I wondered, Sao Va waterfall has been planned as an eco-tourism destination, and with special-use forests, Hua Na Hydropower Reservoir, Thong Thu Border Gate... Que Phong district has enough strengths to develop tourism, why not hold on to, protect and promote it effectively? And, has the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism known about this situation?

Article and photos: Nhat Tuan