Admire the oldest hydroelectric plant in Vietnam, where young people compete to check-in in Da Lat

In 2004, Ankroet Hydroelectric Plant (Lang Biang Ward, Lam Dong) was recognized by the Vietnam Record Book Center as the first hydroelectric plant in Vietnam.

Ankroet Hydropower Plant, the first hydropower plant built in Vietnam.

Ankroet Hydroelectric Plant started construction in October 1942 and was inaugurated in 1945, officially generating electricity in 1946, mainly relying on human power and rudimentary support tools, including 2 generators, with an initial design capacity of only 600 kW.

Ankroet Hydropower Plant is about 12km from the center of Da Lat, covered by pine forests and located below Dan Kia Lake and Suoi Vang Lake.

After being put into operation, Ankroet Hydroelectric Plant generated electricity to serve the electricity needs of Da Lat when the French wanted to build this place into the capital of Indochina. In 1960, to serve the construction of Da Nhim Hydroelectric Plant in Don Duong District (old), the Japanese increased the capacity of Ankroet Hydroelectric Plant to 3,100 kW.

The building is designed simply but very impressively with elegant French architecture with walls of many vertical columns and many windows to get natural light and wind.

In 2004, Ankroet Hydropower Plant continued to be upgraded by Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) to 4,400 kW, thereby increasing the average electricity output by nearly 22 million kWh/year, taking on the task of supplying electricity to Da Lat and connecting to the national grid. In 2004, Ankroet Hydropower Plant was recognized by the Vietnam Book of Records Center as the first hydropower plant in Vietnam. To date, although it is 80 years old, the project is still sturdy and durable over time.

Water is led from the top of the high mountain to the factory through long pipes winding through the pine forest.

What makes Ankroet hydropower special is that the entire power plant and the two dams are built of locally quarried bluestone.

For a long time, this place has become a check-in spot for young people. Every day, dozens or even hundreds of visitors come here to visit and take souvenir photos.

The quiet, cool, and gentle space is what attracts tourists to come here to experience and learn.

Decades-old machines that were once used at the Ankroet hydroelectric plant are located in the hydroelectric plant grounds covered with traces of time.

Many artifacts from 1956 in the operation of hydropower are displayed for visitors to admire. These are considered historical evidence of hydropower.

Young people are very excited when they come here to visit. Vo Thanh Long (from Ho Chi Minh City) said: "Ankroet Hydropower Plant has its own appeal because of the historical value that the project brings. It cannot be found anywhere else. I am very happy and enjoy coming here to walk around and see everything."

The natural scenery on the way to the hydroelectric plant is very beautiful.

From the main road, visitors will go about 2.5 km around the green pine hills to enter the factory. This is a very beautiful and romantic route.

About 3km from the hydroelectric plant is the dam that supplies water for the hydroelectric plant to operate. This project is also a popular destination.

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the oldest hydroelectric plant in Vietnam (October 17, 1945 - October 17, 2015), Ankroet Hydroelectric Plant has officially replaced and put into operation the plant control system using new technology, converting the plant control system from semi-automatic to modern automatic technology. This new technology will help reduce labor and improve safety for equipment operators at the plant.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/ngam-thuy-dien-co-nhat-viet-nam-noi-gioi-tre-dua-nhau-check-in-o-da-lat-388330.html