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Thung Khe pass is one of the most spectacular passes in
northwest Vietnam.
Located between Tan Lac and Mai Chau in
Hoa Binh province, on Highway 6, Thung
Khe Pass or White Rock Pass has clear sky on the morning, blue sky and baking
sun at noon, calm sun in the afternoon and fog at night.
Many people passed through Thung Khe Pass but they did not remember its name.
This pass is not majestic like
O Quy Ho in Lao Cai province, not steep as
Ma Pi Leng in Ha Giang province but it contains numerous dangers to any drivers.
From Phu Cuong commune in Tan Lac district, the pass starts to go up together
with the changes of Hoa Binh’s scenes. The pass slope is from 7 to 10o, running
through low ranges of mountains. Thung Khe does not have bluffs nor bends, but
it is dangerous by trucks running in the opposite direction and the thick fog
every afternoon that obstructs drivers’ vision. Be careful when crossing the
Thung Khe Pass because of the winter weather are always in a state of fog, easy
to cause disorientation. Avoid crossing mountain passes at night.
From afar, one can see the pass peak with a white cliff, where have several
tents selling boiled corns and com lam (rice in bamboo cylinders) for
passers-by. The pass slope goes down towards
Mai Chau and ends at Tong Dau
junction. Before going down, you can admire beautiful Mai Chau at the foot of
the pass.
In Thung Khe, you can enjoy four seasons a day: the spring on the morning, the
summer at noon, the autumn in the afternoon and the winter at night. Passing
Thung Khe in winter days, you will be chilled to the bone and feel the wet and
opaque fog even during the day.
Anyone who goes through Thung Khe Pass stops at the peak to sit close together
near the fire in tents to dry their hands and taste boiled corns and corn juice
before getting down the pass. Thung Khe is simple but very attractive. |
