French Tunnel – a lush green coordinate in Bac Kan

In the midst of the wild mountains of the Chợ Đồn region, there is a destination that is gradually attracting the attention of many tourists due to its lush, ancient, and very distinctive beauty: the French Tunnel. Not noisy, not heavily exploited for tourism, this place impresses with its moss-covered path, lush greenery, cool atmosphere, and the feeling of stepping into a natural tunnel in the vast wilderness.

Recently, images and videos of the French Tunnel have been widely shared on social media, leading many to associate it with the famous “green tunnels” in Europe. However, behind that poetic beauty lies an old relic connected to the history of mining and transporting ore from many years ago. The French Tunnel is located in Bản Loàn, Yên Thịnh commune, Chợ Đồn district, Bắc Kạn province, now belonging to Thái Nguyên province; this is an old tunnel that was built to transport ore.

1. Where is the French Tunnel?

The French Tunnel is located in the Bản Loàn area, Yên Thịnh commune, Chợ Đồn, Bắc Kạn province, now part of Thái Nguyên province. This is a relatively new destination on the tourist map, not yet known to many tourists, and previously mainly frequented by local residents.

The surrounding space of the tunnel still retains the wild beauty of the mountains and forests. The vegetation is dense, moss covers many sections, and the plant life clinging to the tunnel walls creates a cool and fairy-tale atmosphere. This natural beauty has quickly made this place a favorite check-in spot for many, especially young people who love adventure, exploration, and landscape photography.

2. How to get to the French Tunnel

According to a post by Dân trí, if traveling from the center of the old Chợ Đồn district to Yên Thịnh commune, tourists can follow the provincial road towards Tuyên Quang. When seeing the sign for Bản Loàn village, turn in about 700–800m to reach the tunnel area. Going deeper will lead to an area with a flowing stream, creating a very peaceful and cool scene.

If starting from the old Bắc Kạn city, the distance to this area is about 70–80km. However, since this is a mountainous road, travel time may be longer than the actual distance, especially on rainy days, when the road is slippery or foggy.

Tourists can travel by motorbike or personal car. For those who enjoy adventure, a motorbike is a quite interesting choice as it allows for stopping to enjoy the scenery, take photos, and better appreciate the beauty of the mountainous road. However, it is necessary to check the vehicle thoroughly before going, especially the brakes, tires, and lights.

3. Characteristics of the French Tunnel

The most prominent feature of the French Tunnel is its lush greenery, moss, and coolness. Unlike tourist spots that have been systematically planned, this place still retains a natural, somewhat old-fashioned, and mysterious appearance. The patches of green moss, the plants clinging to the path, the moisture from the tunnel walls, and the sound of the nearby stream create a very unique atmosphere.

According to the article, there are several sections in the tunnel where water seeps from the walls, resembling light rain. As you go deeper, tourists can experience a tunnel on one side and a refreshing stream on the other, making the atmosphere particularly pleasant in the summer.

This combination of old relics, greenery, moss, and the stream has led many to liken the French Tunnel to a “green tunnel” in the mountains. Although it is not very large or famous, this place still leaves an impression with its unusual, peaceful, and photogenic feel.

4. Why is the French Tunnel trending on social media?

The French Tunnel gained attention after many videos capturing tourists walking through the lush green tunnel were shared on social media. The vibrant green and refreshing beauty of this place surprised many, as they did not expect to find a location resembling the famous tree tunnels of Europe in the mountainous region of Thái Nguyên – Bắc Kạn.

Some people even associate this place with the “love tunnel” in Ukraine – a famous site created by a row of green trees covering the railway line. Although the French Tunnel is not a natural tree tunnel in the European style, its moss, vegetation, and mountainous backdrop still give it a very poetic, unique beauty that easily attracts viewers through images and videos.

Interestingly, this place is still relatively unknown. Therefore, for those who enjoy seeking out new coordinates that are not too crowded, the French Tunnel is a worthwhile check-in spot in the journey to explore the Chợ Đồn region, Ba Bể, or the Northeast routes.

5. Experiences when visiting the French Tunnel
5.1. Check-in at the mossy green tunnel

The first experience when visiting the French Tunnel is undoubtedly taking photos. The scene of the green-covered tunnel, light filtering through the trees, damp rock walls, and the old road surface creates a very beautiful backdrop. Tourists can take landscape photos, portraits, or short videos in an exploration and green tourism style.

5.2. Enjoy the cool atmosphere in summer

Thanks to its location in the mountains and the water seeping from the walls and the nearby stream, the area around the tunnel is very cool. In summer, this is an interesting stop to escape the heat, rest, and enjoy the fresh feeling of nature.

5.3. Explore the old historical relics

The French Tunnel was built to serve the transportation of ore, so this place not only has scenic value but also evokes a period of resource exploitation history in the region. Although it is no longer operational as before, the tunnel still retains a solemn, old-fashioned, and somewhat mysterious appearance.

5.4. Combine stream and village scenery

Going a bit deeper, tourists can encounter an area with a flowing stream. The refreshing stream amidst the mountains adds to the peaceful scenery. This is also a suitable spot to rest, listen to the sound of flowing water, and feel the slow beauty of the highland region.

5.5. Combine the travel itinerary with Ba Bể – Chợ Đồn

If you are planning an itinerary to explore Ba Bể or tourist spots in northern Thái Nguyên, you can combine a visit to the French Tunnel in a trekking route. After visiting Ba Bể Lake, Pác Ngòi Village, Puông Cave, Đầu Đẳng Waterfall, or hunting clouds at Đồn Đèn, tourists can extend their journey to the Chợ Đồn – Yên Thịnh area to explore this destination.

6. The best time to visit the French Tunnel

The French Tunnel can be visited at many times of the year, but it is usually most beautiful on dry, sunny days. At that time, the path is safer, the lighting is better, and the surrounding vegetation looks more vibrant in photos.

Summer is quite an ideal time because the atmosphere in the tunnel is cool, with streams and greenery. However, during the rainy season, this area has high humidity, making it slippery, so careful consideration is needed if the weather is unfavorable. The Chairman of the Yên Thịnh Commune People's Committee also noted that the terrain here has high humidity, and the rainy season can be slippery, so tourists need to be particularly cautious when moving.

If you want to take beautiful photos, you should go in the morning or early afternoon when the light is sufficient but not too harsh. Avoid going too late as the mountainous area can get dark quickly, and the roads may be empty and harder to navigate.

7. Notes when visiting the French Tunnel

Since the French Tunnel is not yet a well-developed tourist destination, visitors should prepare thoroughly before going. The surrounding area currently has limited dining, accommodation, and tourist facilities, so you should bring drinking water, snacks, a light jacket, non-slip shoes, and some essential personal items.

When entering the tunnel or the area near the stream, be careful of the damp ground, slippery moss, and rocks that may slide. Do not run, play, or go too close to the edge of the stream. If visiting on a rainy day or after rain, consider carefully as the high humidity may make the path more difficult to traverse.

Visitors should also maintain general hygiene, not litter, not break branches, not write on the tunnel walls, and not disturb the natural landscape. Since this is still a path connecting villages, local residents occasionally pass through, so you should move neatly and not park in a way that obstructs traffic.