Hi there! I have been writing about many historic and cultural places in Hue where I live. Some friends on Hive asked me if there are places for excursion. I would love to show you one place near Hue City which are suitable for outdoor activities as well as relaxation with your family - Thanh Tan Hot Springs.
Thanh Tan Hot Springs are located in Phong Dien District, about 30 km from Hue Center. Therefore it does not take long to travel there by motorbike, car or shuttle bus. I will tell you the experience that I have had with my close friends and another comeback with my little family. Both gave me the great time with joy and satisfaction.
We were at the gate of hot springs
For the time with friends, we headed North from Hue City to Phong Dien District by motorbikes. We turned left after crossing An Lo Bridge and kept going West until we saw the sign of direction from Thanh Tan Hot Springs. It took us about 45 minutes to get there. On the way, we passed by paddy fields, corn fields with mountainous landscapes behind. Therefore, the trip seemed to be shorter than it was.
On the way to locker room
The complex is so green and well maintained. It is quite large so we had private space for our conversation and activities.
Because we were all young, we bought entrance tickets with zipline and highwire games. It costed us about $20 each for all those fun activities. With the tickets, we could enjoy the games, water games and of course hot springs. Yay!
Ready for challenges of zipline and highwires
We got ready with helmets, gloves and shoes. They were provided free in case we did not bring our suitable shoes for climbing. We were so excited for all the games, especially the zipline.
Therefore, we decided to go for the zipline before challenge us with the highwire.
Going uphill to zipline platform
We had to climb up a hillside of Ma Yen mountain which gives us about 50 meter altitude difference for our ride. When we arrived, an instructor will tell us safety protocols and tips for us to do the zipline. The zipline is 560 meter long and it hit the record of longest zipline in Vietnam in 2014.
Ready for safety protocols for zipline
Ready to go
Taking off
Here we go! We shouted with joy and excitement! The speed was so good and we could slow down by stretching our body or speed up by leg up. That was so amazing. It was fun and not scary at all.
After landing safely on a sandy spit, we moved to the highwire. The highwire is also pretty large with 3 different routes which are more than 570 meter. We chose the 2 heaviest one because we believe that we were young enough to do that. Hahaha! We were wrong!
Practice for the highwire
Firstly, an instructor would train us some easy parts which helped us get used to how to balance. Moreover, the instruction how to hook up the safebelt for every challenge on highwire was gone though by the man. We were ready for another fun!
On the first route of the highwire
There are many types of challenges on the highwire such as walking on wooden pieces, climbing through rope nets, walking on wire and so on. The height is enough for us to feel the adventure. At the end of each route is a short zipline to land on a dump of sand.
We were so tired on the second highwire so we did it very slowly. Because we could not pass over so who were strongest should be in front so we did not need to wait for others. We were wrong to choose this because we were so exhausted! And we were exhausted laughing in joy together.
The second route are more difficult
As a result, we got so hungry after all of these activities. We could eat a horse then. We ordered chicken and other food in an out space restaurant and food was so good. I thought that the starving made our taste much better. We not only ate the food, we ate the atmosphere and fantastic activities we had had.
Yay! We did overcome all challenges
After lunch, we had a walk around before swim and taking a rest in hot springs. There is a small space for deer in this complex. We can also see the cool springs nearby. The hot springs here are natural and the hottest opened part can reach 65 Celsius. I saw some people put eggs to boil for fun.
Deer space
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Cool water swimming pool
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We could choose to swim in a cold swimming pool and water slides, or stay in warm flowing springs. The more down stream, the cooler water. Therefore, we could choose the temperature which were nicest to us. Because we put our cameras in lockers so we did not take any photo for this excursion. I got some from Thanh Tan Hot Springs page.
Flowing hot springs for relaxation
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The hottest open part of the hot springs
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Thanh Tan Hot Springs are not only for young who want the outdoor activities, but also for family. I took my big family with my grandmother here as well. She got free entrance fee for locals who are over 80 years old. They even discount for over 60yo locals as well. The time I was back with my wife and my daughter were so leisurely different. We booked a room and stayed overnight. I got an room at rate $150 a night but they offered me an free upgrade to $250 a night. I was so happy with that.
Bamboo path
The area for rooms are so beautiful with restaurants, Onsen baths, bungalows and of course hot springs. The atmosphere are so peaceful and green so I could sweep all busy life out of my mind to enjoy a full day with my beloved.
Sunset at pavilion
My daughter enjoyed the warm water so much. It is so good for kids and family who want to spend time in a relaxation. This destination is large enough for walk and enjoy the nature. Fresh air and breeze treated me well in this beautiful place.
There are two big restaurants in this complex. I had lunch in Hoa Sua restaurant where they served authentic Vietnamese food. And we had dinner in Madame Chau restaurant where they served fusion food. Both were good and well served. Price of Madame Chau is a bit higher than in Hoa Sua restaurant.
Balcony view from our room
My little baby enjoying warm water
Thanh Tan Hot Springs always bring me good memories and experience. Those priceless experience with friends, with family and important people of my life. Whenever I look back those photos, the images of youth and priceless moments with family appeare in my mind. For sure, I would love to go there again as I have done for relive the days of excursion.
Thank you all for reading! Love to get comments from you all!
