The A Luoi District communities and the government are ensuring that tourism activities do not damage traditional culture or the rich forests that they depend on. We support community based tourism and ecotourism initiatives that are sustainable, appropriate to the area and provide benefits to the local people.
A Luoi is approximately 65 km Southeast of Dakrong Bridge and 70 km to the west of Hue. This area offers a unique cultural, historical and biological experience for the adventurous tourists. This is believed to be one of the last forests home to find a viable population of the Saola. The Saola, also known as the Asian Unicorn is one of the rarest species in the world.
The area is blessed with beautiful landscapes, rich wildlife and nature including a number of waterfalls and cascades. Many ethnic minority groups live in the mountains with their colourful and varied cultures. These groups include people from the Pa Ko, Van Kieu, CaTu and Ta Oi tribes.
Itinerary
A Luoi was the site of many battles during the American war. Two pilot areas are being supported, namely A Bia Nor, also known as Hamburger Hill and the A Roang commune.
The US Army Special Forces Bases in A Luoi and Ashau were overrun and abandoned in 1966. Among the better known military sites in the vicinity of A Luoi are landing zones Cunningham, Ershine and Razor, as well as Hill 1175 (west of the valley) and Hill 521 (in Laos). Further south in the Ashau valley is Hamburger Hill (A Bia Mountain). In May 1969, American forces on a search- and destroy mission near Laos border fought in one of the fiercest engagements of the war, suffering many terrible casualties on both sides.
In less than a week of fighting, 241 American soldiers died at Hamburger Hill. When the American forces withdrew from the area, the Hill was secured by the Viet Cong Army and the whole area became important as a means of transporting supplies from the north to the south for the Viet Cong troops.
Today, these beautiful areas are returning to the magnificent scenery that it used to be. The trips to these mountainous areas show you the interesting lands of history, cultures and legend!
The areas of A Roang and A Bia welcome tourists. Some of the activities and services that can be enjoyed include:
Experience village life and unique cultures
- Local, Vietnamese and vegetarian food.
- Cultural shows of music and dance.
- Learning about local handicraft production, like Det Zeng textile weaving.
Historical sites
- Visiting American war sites, like Hamburger Hill, A Shau airbase and Hong Bac Tunnels.
- Travel along the famous Ho Chi Minh trail.
Stunning landscapes and nature
- Spectacular views from the Ho Chi Minh (HCM) highway overlooking the Green Corridor forests.
- An area of international conservation importance as home to gibbons and Saola.
- Trekking with local guides to the forests and Hamburger Hill.
- Learn about non-timber forest products and how these are important for local communities.
- With luck see a flying squirrel, or hear endangered gibbons and rare pheasants, see the amazing plants and wildlife.
- Relax or have a picnic near one of the cooling waterfalls (but please don’t spoil for others and follow the Codes of Conduct).
