Song Da Reservoir
Close to Hoabinh is the site of a large dam on the Da River (Song Da), creating Song Da Reservoir, the largest in Vietnam. The flooding of the Da Rivet has displaced a large number of farmers for about 200 km upstream. The dam is part of major hydro-electric scheme which generates power for the north. In 1994, a 500k V power line was extended from this area to the south, freeing Saigon from the seasonal power shortages that often blacked out the city for up to three days at a time.
Though the dam is just 5 km from Hoabinh, it’s best to visit the reservoir by taking a spur road that cuts off from Highway 6 at Dong Bang Junction (60 km from Hoabinh).