Bao Yen district is the gateway in the East of Lao Cai province, is about 75km far from Lao Cai, and 263 km from Hanoi. It has natural area of 827.91 km2. the average height of this district is from 300 m to 400m in comparison with sea ware surface. The highest point is 1.120m on Con Voi mountains (belong to Long Khanh commune), the lowest point is 50m, average slope of whole district is from 30 to 350. the Southeast borders with Luc Vien district – Yen Bai. The East borders with Quang Binh district – Ha Giang province; the Southwest borders with Van Yen district – Yen Bai; the North borders with Bao Thang district and Bac Ha – Lao Cai, The Northwest borders with Van Ban district – Lao Cai.
Population of Bao Yen district is 79.29 thousand people. Average population density is 96 people/km2, resident in 17 communes and 1 town. Whole district has 15 enthic minorities living with each other. In which there are mainly Kinh, Tay, Mong and Dao enthic minorities (the crowdest is Kinh accounting for 32.56%, Tay 31.93% of total district population)
Besides supplying water for irrigation and Thac Ba hydroelectric plant, Chay river consolidates rich land at the river sides which offers good conditions to develop farm economy quickly with many valued fruits such as: litchi, longan, banana, apple, organe, etc. Many Bao Yen farms are developed according to VACR model and can affirm its capacity. Bao Yen’s natural conditions are suitable for livestock feeding development such as buffalo, cow and forestry, exploiting, manufacturing forestry products, agricultural products such as tea, pineapple and trees for taking essential oil with high economic value
Being found in 1965, but since old history, Bao Yen was considered as rich traditional in building and fighting to protect the nation. That tradition is associated with attractions such as Nghi Lang ancient citadel, Bao Ha temple, Pho Rang fortress which became cultural and historical vestigages, famous tourism attraction known by whole nation. Nghi Lang ancient citadel is known as Bau house of Bau lord (Vu Van Uyen, Vu Van Mat and his offsprings) which was built in about 16th – 17th century. Nghi Lang ancient citadel had ever associated with traditional defense from ancient generations to against Mac enemy. Currently, relic area of Nghi Lan citadel was discovered with many valued subjects.
Bao Ha temple – cultural and historical relics is graded as one famous belief cultural and touring attraction of whole country. Bao Ha temple worships Hoang Bay patriotic god – one famous general in Le dynasty (18th century) who gained victory in defensing, protecting country, mining and protecting border, had ever been rewarded by Kings of Nguyen dynasty for letters “Tran An Hien Liet”, was ordained as “ national protector” and gratefully recorded by local people for his feats of arms.
Locating in the center of Bao Yen District, on high hill top at the confuence of Ngoi Rang and Chay rivers, Pho Rang fortress relics was recorded in the history for glorious victory of Phu Thong battalaion (battalalion 11) in which our regular army broke one important chain link in defence line in Nghia Lo – Bao Ha – Pho Rang – Nghia Do – Yen Binh of French colonialists who threatened our Viet Bac base area. Pho Rang victory always educates indomitable tradition to later generations. Bao yen is not only famous land thorugh Pho Rang defence of Tran Dang in the last time, but also cultural cradle of residents living here in long time, it concentrates cultural characters of Bao Yen’s which should be protected, maintained as well as passed from generations to generations.
These are special festivals of Tay enthic minority, Dinh ceremony of Tay Lang Gia people, festival of workshipping mountain God, raising black pig, singing love songs, in Com festival and august full moon festival, young girls and boys race with each other by grinding green rice and singing love songs, grind green rice with music melody “Keng Loong”, dance and weave, festival of workshipping moon, appointment festival of Dao Tuyen people. This is one ancient village of Tay Nghia Do people with cultural domestic activities. It is cultural treasure of Dao people which is very special and plentiful with hundred ancient books stored back that affirms for the plentiful and developed cultural foundation of Dao people.