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Nam Hoa
Renowned for its endless white sand beaches and peaceful, untouched islets amidst surrounding waves, Phu Quoc has long been a favorite travel destination. Many resorts and large entertainment complexes have been built on this island. Yet, once the curiosity and excitement brought by these modern constructions fade, the desire to return to pure and innocent nature, like children, remerges. We came to “Pearl Island” seeking to reconnect with pristine nature.
When we expressed this desire to a local friend, his eyes lit up: “How about a forest trek and a dip in a stream? You’ll see, Phu Quoc isn’t just about beaches, resorts, and amusement parks. The nature of “Pearl Island” has many more wonders to offer.”
And so, we ventured into the forest and waded into Da Ban Stream, the most famous stream in Phu Quoc.
Da Ban Stream is located in Cua Duong commune in Phu Quoc city, near the island’s centre. It originates from Da Bac Mountain, in the Ham Ninh Range – the longest and highest mountain range on the island – and flows down to Duong Dong Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Phu Quoc, which also serves as the city’s main source of freshwater. This stream differs from most others in that its cool waters flow down from the mountain and cascade over a series of large, flat rocks that resemble tabletops, gradually descending from high above. This might explain the name, which translates as “Stone Table” Stream.
Da Ban Stream is only about 10km from the city centre, so we had breakfast and coffee in town and waited for the sun to rise before setting off. Our car wound through small roads to the outskirts and stopped at the entrance to the Da Ban Eco Tourism Park, where we began our short trek. The few man-made structures at Da Ban Stream include a suspension bridge and some simple huts temporarily erected in the stream on large flat rocks next to the bridge. Here, visitors can stop and rest.
We crossed the old, rickety suspension bridge, its planks swaying with each step. Beyond the bridge, we entered a forest, with a canopy of cool green leaves hanging overhead. Gusts of wind occasionally parted the leaves, allowing sunlight to dance on the winding path strewn with tree roots. Walking in the sunlit forest was pleasant due to the higher oxygen levels in the air. I took deep breaths of the fresh, cool air, feeling invigorated as I strode forward, while the sound of the stream rushing over the rocks grew closer.
After some 20 minutes of weaving under the forest canopy, the trail led to the stream. A spacious vista opened before us, with a thin layer of silvery water spreading over the streambed, created by long, wide strips of very flat rocks. What made this stream unique from any other I had encountered was its flat bed, unlike others with defined banks. The streambed consisted of large, flat, reddish-brown rocks. Some sections were almost level and others gently sloping. In others, flat rocks lay parallel at varying heights, creating small rapids where frothy white water rushed over the rocks.
The “table” rocks were wide and flat but had a rough surface, making it safe to walk in the stream. Eager explorers immediately stepped into the cool mountain water. The forest canopy extended over the stream, forming two cool corridors for those who wished to soak their feet in the flowing water or find a spot to spread a mat and lay out a picnic to recharge after wading in the stream.
The verdant splendor of nature is truly miraculous. It rejuvenates our spirits and makes us feel youthful and brimming with enthusiasm. We leisurely savored the purity of nature, frolicking in the water as if we were children. That afternoon, the babbling stream of Da Ban rang with our crisp laughter, which blended with the rustling of forest leaves and the gentle murmur of flowing water.
