Photo: Collected

Last Update: Friday April 14, 2026

When people think of Phu Yen, iconic spots like Ganh Da Dia and its stunning coastline often come to mind. But right in the center of Tuy Hoa lies a hidden gem that offers a completely different experience—Ho Son Regulating Lake, a modern “oasis” blending urban function with serene beauty.

A Green Landmark in the City

Constructed in 2019, Ho Son Regulating Lake spans over 20 hectares in Ward 5, Tuy Hoa. While it plays a vital role in water regulation, flood prevention, and environmental improvement, the lake has quickly become much more than an infrastructure project.

Today, it serves as a “green lung” for the city—a refreshing open space where locals and visitors can escape the urban rush, breathe in fresh air, and reconnect with nature.

Peaceful, Romantic Scenery

The lake’s wide, calm surface mirrors the sky and the nearby Chop Chai Mountain, creating a poetic landscape that feels almost cinematic. Curved walking paths wind gently around the lake, reminiscent of scenes from Korean dramas—perfect for jogging, leisurely walks, or simply sitting and watching the sunset.

• Early morning (7:00 – 8:30 AM): Soft sunlight, cool air, and a peaceful atmosphere—ideal for exercise and photography.
• Late afternoon (3:30 – 4:30 PM): Golden sunlight transforms the lake into a romantic, glowing retreat.

A Perfect Check-in Spot

One of the highlights of Ho Son Lake is the elegant bridge stretching across the water, along with its gracefully designed lakeside paths. From above, the lake resembles drifting clouds—making it a dreamy backdrop for photos.

Whether you’re wearing a flowing maxi dress, soft pastel tones, or sporty outfits, this location offers endless inspiration for eye-catching shots.

Easy to Reach

Conveniently located along Tran Phu Street, Ho Son Regulating Lake is just about 2 km from Tuy Hoa’s city center. You can easily get there by motorbike, car, or eco-friendly electric taxi services, making it an effortless addition to your itinerary.

Nearby Attractions to Explore

Your visit to Ho Son Lake can easily be combined with other nearby destinations:

• Phu Yen Museum (1 km): Dive into the history and culture of the “yellow flowers on green grass” land.
• Vincom Plaza Tuy Hoa (1.5 km): A modern hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
• Tuy Hoa Market (1 km): A great place to sample authentic local specialties at affordable prices.

Travel Tips

• Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for the best lighting and weather.
• Choose light, comfortable outfits—bright colors stand out beautifully against the natural backdrop.
• Help preserve the environment by keeping the area clean and avoiding littering.

Getting to Tuy Hoa

The nearest airport is Tuy Hoa Airport (TBB), offering convenient connections:

• From Ho Chi Minh City (SGN): ~1 hour 10–20 minutes
• From Hanoi (HAN): ~1 hour 45–2 hours

Flights are frequent, with competitive fares depending on the season, making Tuy Hoa an accessible destination for both short getaways and longer trips.

Photo: Collected

Last Updated: Monday April 13, 2026

Starting January 30, 2026, Singapore will implement a stricter immigration control policy known as the “No-Boarding Directive.” This new regulation is introduced by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and will significantly impact how travelers prepare for their trip.

What Is the No-Boarding Directive?

The No-Boarding Directive allows ICA to prevent passengers from boarding their flight at the departure airportif they are deemed not eligible to enter Singapore.

This means:

• You may be stopped before leaving your home country
• Airlines are required to deny boarding if instructed by ICA
• You won’t even reach Singapore if your documents are incomplete or invalid

Key Requirement: SG Arrival Card

All travelers must complete the SG Arrival Card online within 3 days before arrival.

This is a mandatory electronic declaration that includes:

• Personal information
• Travel details
• Health and immigration information

ICA uses this data along with airline passenger lists to screen travelers in advance.

Why You Might Be Denied Boarding

ICA may issue a No-Boarding Directive if they identify issues such as:

• Missing SG Arrival Card submission
• Incorrect or unsuitable visa type
• Incomplete or inconsistent travel information
• Failure to meet entry requirements

Once flagged:

• ICA notifies the airline
• The airline must refuse boarding at the departure airport (e.g., Vietnam)

What Happens If You’re Affected?

If you receive a No-Boarding Directive:

• You cannot board your flight
• You must contact ICA directly through official channels
• Request a review or clarification of your status
• Only after resolving the issue should you consider rebooking your flight

Strict Penalties for Airlines

This policy also places strong responsibility on airlines.

If airline staff (including pilots) allow a restricted passenger to board, they may face:

• A fine of up to USD 8,000
• Up to 6 months imprisonment
• Or both penalties combined

For travelers, this means preparation is more important than ever. A small oversight—like forgetting to submit your SG Arrival Card—could stop your trip before it even begins.

Photo: Ha Giang Tre

Long known as an off-the-beaten-path getaway for tourists, Ha Giang is among the must-visit stops to experience Vietnam’s northern mountainous region distinctions and its indigenous minor ethnic lifestyle.

Let this article show you around Sao Ha Village, or “Inferno” Village in Ha Giang destination, which has become a recent Internet sensation by featuring in a Vietnamese Netflix horror series “Hellbound Village”.

Tucked away in Van Chai Commune, Dong Van District, the name of the village Sao Ha means “high valley” in the Hmong language. At an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level in the karst plateau terrain, the village is where most Hmong people inhabit and their mystique has gripped more and more nature enthusiasts to cross the craggy roads, through the small mountain passes, with no phone signals and cellular hotspots but shrouded in fog, firmly heading to witness the natural and cultural richness first-hand.

Coming to Sao Ha Village, visitors will fall in love with the pristine beauty mixed with the peaceful life of its residents, transporting them to a realm of otherworldly experience with primeval ancient forest, strange architecture, sturdy stone fences, and yin and yang roof tiles. Even when arriving at locals’ houses, foreigners seem to turn back time with the disconnection of such basic amenities as electricity, water, and a Wifi network. During wintertime in these tip areas, what is better than warming ourselves by steaming hot au tau porridge (Aconitum fortunei porridge) and corn wine in the white highland market, creating satisfaction with the most fulfilling trip! 

  The unique architecture with yin and yang roof tiles in Sao Ha Village (Source: Ha Giang Tre)

The ever-increasing popularity of this destination, especially among young demographics, is mostly attributed to its appearance as a backdrop in the period horror series “Hellbound Village”. With the main character was haunted by incessant nightmares, the show is about he and other descendants of a notorious bandit clan trace the dark history and its relation to a series of merciless killings in their village. After the film premiered, its production has garnered much domestic and international acclaim, securing the highest spot in top 10 most popular TV shows on Netflix in Vietnam. 

Sao Ha Village stands as a testament to the abundance of Vietnamese folk cultural materials, a perfect canvas for adventure lovers to delve into! So what are you waiting for? Grab a backpack and travel to Sao Ha Village in Ha Giang now!

Photo: baodantoc.vn

Foreigners probably have heard about the Kinh people and learned Kinh Vietnamese through media or even first-hand in their trip to this Southeast Asian country. Is that all? In fact, Vietnam is home to 54 minority ethnic groups, and each group is proud to maintain its own distinct legacy, language, and way of living within one territory, which makes Vietnamese culture more diverse and welcoming to international visitors. Let’s find out more about some large ethnic groups in Vietnam in this article! 

1. The Tay

Residing primarily in Northern Vietnam such as Lang Son, Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, and Bac Kan, the Tay is the second largest minority group with more than 1,7 million of the total population. They are also known to be among the first people to set foot in ancient Vietnam from inland East Asia about 500 BC.

From decades ago until now, the Tay still inhabit far-flung areas of the North that get extremely cold during wintertime and full of wild animals danger, forcing them to build and stay in stilt houses - one of the symbols of minority ethnic groups in Vietnam.

In addition, due to some shared cultural elements and the proximity to the Kinh, Tay ethnic people were heavily influenced by the mass Vietnamese culture, from language (picking up words) to costumes (black trousers and a shirt, and the distinctive feature is that the shirt is buttoned under the right armpit, adorned with rings of unique blue material both there and at the lower sleeves). Therefore, travelers may find it hard to tell the difference between the Tay and modern Viet Kinh.

2. The Thai

Thai or Tai people are also one of the densest ethnic groups in Northern and North Central Vietnam, which accounts for 1,89% of Vietnamese. If you have a chance to travel to Son La or Lai Chau province, you can meet this beautiful Thai ethnicity from several popular Tai groups such as Black Thai and White Thai.

Tai-Kadai languages are the main language of Thai people, even though their ancestors originated from Yunnan (mainland China). The customary attire of the Thai people typically includes a colored button blouse (commonly of green, blue, pink, or purple) featuring a unique line in the middle and along the front. The bottom is a long skirt, accompanied by an intricately embroidered and notably distinctive stripe scarf.

To immerse in the authentic Thai minority culture, tourists can stay at their symbolic stilt houses and eat such specialties as sticky rice, bamboo-tube rice, rượu cần (stem liquor), and grilled meat with local herbs. During Tet Holidays, the Thai in each village also celebrate and organize festivals for visitors featuring unique Xoe dances, singing poems, and rich love exchanges. 

3. The Muong

Muong people are the fourth largest minority in Vietnam, with about 1,45 million Muong population locate in the Northern provinces of Vietnam (Hoa Binh, Phu Tho, Son La), and North Central Region such as Thanh Hoa.

As for their origin, the oldest generation is said to share a connection with ancient Vietnamese people, so their subculture is quite similar to the Kinh. Muong people use the Viet-Muong language group (Southern Asian language family), and their staple has been replaced by rice, which used to be dominated by glutinous sticky rice in the past. However, the Muong still distinguish themselves from other ethnic groups by some main features. For example, the traditional costume of women consists of a headband (a rectangular piece of white fabric) a blouse (typically in white) featuring a short body with a V-shaped neck, and an ankle-length skirt comprising two main components: the skirt body and the intricately woven skirt waist - infused with the cultural elements of the Dong Son civilization.

4. The Khmer

The Khmer are found mainly in the Mekong Delta, formerly owned by the Khmer Empire, explaining why this is the largest concentration of Khmer people outside of Cambodia. Soc Trang and Tra Vinh are two provinces with the widely spread Khmer population (27.43% and 24.11% of all Khmer in Vietnam respectively). Remember to travel to these parts of Vietnam if you love to explore the Khmer Krom culture.

The Khmer culture expresses itself through numerous distinctive cultural legacies such as traditional ancient music and dance. The vibrant dances and songs of the Khmer community encapsulate unique cultural and spiritual values. Widely appreciated art performances like the Apsara dance and Robam Khotho dance showcase the Khmer people's artistic talent and finesse. Furthermore, traditional festivals like Chol Chnam Thmay and Dolta serve as occasions for the Khmer community to gather, offer prayers, and pay homage to their ancestors.