Northern Vietnam (2008) - Stopover at Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant on the way back from Mai Chau

On way back to Hanoi from Mai Chau, we decided on a sidetrip to see the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant.  It was then the largest hydropower plant in Vietnam, reportedly providing about 30 percent of Vietnam’s power output.  The plant was built in the 1970s and was financed by the then Soviet Union.  Construction of the dam over Song Da (or Da River) for the powerplant took 15 years.  

Another interesting sight at the dam is an enormous statue of Ho Chi Minh on a hill next to the giant complex.