Cao Quang Village

Cao Quang, also known as Cao Mai, is a mountainous commune in the South of Tuyen Hoa district, Quang Binh province with a natural area of 11,904.07 hectares and a population of 974 households with 3,428 people living in 8 villages along both banks of the Nan River. In the past, the economy here was mainly agricultural, growing rice and other vegetables.

Many people earned their living with illegal jungle jobs such as hunting and logging. These led to a lot of them being imprisoned for 8 to 10 years. Moreover, Cao Quang also floods badly, just like Tan Hoa village because of its location close to the Rao Nan river. Those make their lives more difficult.

Since 2015, when the Hang Tien trekking routes were started by Oxalis, many local people have been recruited to serve as cooks, safety assistants, and porters. Since the people of Cao Quang began to work in tourism, their lives have also been improved with a better income.

History of Cao Quang

Cao Quang, before the 17th century, was inhabited by a part of Sach and Ruc ethnic groups. They lived in small villages in the wild Truong Son jungle, mainly in the southwest from the But pagoda upwards. There are many well known places: Da Chenh, Ba O, Chin Choi, Lanh Anh, Cha Cang, Cha Noi, Phu Nguyen, Cua Long, Hung Nhai... The Sach people were here for a long time, following the nomadic life of farming and hunting.

After the 17th century, Kinh people moved from the lowlands here to the area, and the Sach and Ruc groups moved deeper into the great Truong Son mountains.

The Cao Quang topography runs from West to East and is surrounded by limestone mountains and natural forests, in the West bordering Tan Hoa commune (Minh Hoa district). The geographical location is divided by the Nan River and many streams. Therefore, the population is unevenly distributed, living mainly on the river banks and northwards.

The Rao Nan River originates in the Vietnam - Laos border area, and is commonly known as a tributary of Gianh river, the final section flowing through Cao Quang commune is 17 km long with about 10 km having settlements.

The Rao Nan River is commonly known as a tributary of Gianh river, the final section flowing through Cao Quang commune.

Weather condition

Cao Quang belongs to the tropical monsoon region, with two distinct seasons: the hot and the rainy seasons without a clear division. Winter and summer are often longer than autumn and spring.

From November to February: The weather will sometimes be cold interspersed with sunny days.

From March to May: This is the most beautiful season with cool air, the new green growth and spring flowers everywhere.

From June to August: although these are warm summer months, the temperature at night is quite comfortable, from 25 to 30 degree Celsius due to being surrounded by mountains and rivers and occasional rain.

Hang Tien campsite.

Tourism activities

Hang Tien caves form the final section of the Tu Lan Cave System before the Rao Nan river joins the Gianh river and heads to the sea. Over 5 km in length, the 2 sections called Tien 1 and 2, were first surveyed by the British – Vietnamese cave Association team in 1994. They are dry caves, except in floods, when the underground river can appear in Tien 1.

The entrance of Hang Tien Cave 1 is very large with a height of nearly 70m and a width of 50 m and a huge cave dome further inside. In contrast, Hang Tien Cave 2 has a very small entrance, about 3m in height and 1.5m in width. Due to the difference in temperature inside and outside the cave, a cool breeze is created, and funneled through the small entrance. There is a primeval forest between Hang Tien Cave 1 and 2 in addition.

Hang Tien Cave was investigated by Oxalis Adventure in 2012. After many years of evaluation, on August 19, 2015, the Hang Tien Cave tours were officially launched. Tours to explore Hang Tien have a duration of 1 to 4 days. Guests will experience activities including jungle trekking, mountain climbing, river crossing, cave exploration, and jungle camping when joining these tours.

The entrance and unique swirling dome high in the roof of Hang Tien Cave 1.

The impact of Oxalis Adventure tours on Cao Quang Village

Since the Hang Tien Cave trekking tours opened, Oxalis has created jobs for dozens of local people as cooks, safety assistants, or porters. With an income of 6 to 8 million VND per person per month for about 15 working days, their lives have improved quite a lot.

Recruiting local people, who previously lived mainly on illegal logging and hunting, and training them for jobs in tourism is a good opportunity. Turning from jungle men, they more than anyone else, now understand that only by protecting the forest resources and taking care of the natural environment, can they earn a better living, and avoid natural disasters such as storms and floods.

Visiting Cao Quang today, you can see the improvement in their lives. Many porters have been able to build solid and spacious houses for their families. Oxalis also sponsors some qualified porters to study to be tour guides.

In the near future, Oxalis is determined to coordinate with the local authorities and the Quang Binh Provincial Department of Tourism to build Cao Quang into a community tourism village.

The Porter, safety assistants assist guests on the journey.

The Oxalis Experience.

You may like

Whether you prefer long treks, camping in a cave, sleeping under the stars in the jungle, swimming underground in river caves, explore the huge dry caves or just taking an exploratory day trip, Oxalis Adventure Tours can provide the right amount of adventure just for you.

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