Thung Nai Lake

About this location

Thung Nai Lake - A turquoise gem in the heart of the Da River. Thung Nai Setting: The pristine reservoir of the Da River, undulating limestone islands, and Muong ethnic riverine villages perfect for artistic cinema. Located within the Hoa Binh Hydropower reservoir on the historic Da River, Thung Nai boasts a vast man-made aquatic landscape with dozens of limestone islands rising from the emerald water, earning it the title of the "Ha Long Bay on the mountain" of the Northwest region. Historically, Thung Nai was a dense valley inhabited by wild deer herds of the ancient Muong Thang land. When the Da River was dammed for hydropower in the 1980s, the rising water flooded the valleys, creating a magnificent complex of floating islands interspersed with primeval forests and Muong villages along the hillsides. From a cinematic perspective, Thung Nai offers multi-layered visual depth: calm water surfaces that shift to jade hues under the sunlight, vertical limestone cliffs, the shimmering stalactites of Thac Bo Cave, and a system of isolated islands (Windmill Island, Coconut Island). With its combination of vast water surfaces, isolated island terrain, and indigenous cultural elements, Thung Nai is perfectly suited for various film genres, including action and thriller productions, such as high-speed canoe chase sequences, isolated island hideouts, or intense stand-offs set against the vast wilderness. Information compiled by: PTIT. Photo credits: Traveloka, Maichayhideaway, mia.vn.

Location rules

• All filming activities on the water using canoes, floating rafts, or camera rig setups must comply with the Law on Inland Waterway Traffic, be equipped with life jackets, and have a dedicated diving and rescue team on standby.
• The use of drones requires a valid flight permit issued by the Operations Department – General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army.
• Maintain cleanliness and preserve the natural landscape; dispose of waste only in designated areas.

Infrastructure

Special notes

• Monitor lake water levels.
• Water transport requires careful preparation.
• Fog and lake surface winds.