Ba Be Lake

For a sightseeing tour of the northeast region, a huge amount of tourists flock to a fantastic place called Ba Be National Park in Ba Be District, Bac Kan Province. It has been well-known for a vast variety of flora and fauna, as well as interesting geology and landscapes to discover. 

Where is Ba Be lake?

Ba Be Lake or Ba Be National Park is located in Bac Kan Province. It is 240km from Hanoi and covers more than 23,000 hectares consists of rivers, waterfalls,  lakes, deep valleys, and caves. The lake and surroundings are home to many ethnic minority communities. Ba Be Lake is in fact, consists of three lakes linked by wide channels. Ba Be lake attracts tourists for boat tours as the surface is always calm. In the past, it takes 6-8 hours to overcome hundreds of rough roads from Hanoi. However, a newly constructed highway help to reduce the amount of time to 5 hours only.  

Ba Be Lake

Why is Ba Be lake?

The lake itself actually consists of three small lakes which are – Pe Lamra , Pe Lu and Pe Leng. The government established it as a national preserved forest and tourist center then Vietnam's eighth national park in 1992.  The lake is reported for an average depth of 20-25m and its deepest part is 35m, being impressive limestone with millions of crags and crevasses that are ideal for a large variety of marine life - there are over a hundred of species of freshwater fish in the lakes.

Ba Be Lake is located in the middle of the vast limestone mountain range of Ba Be National Park with large and small islands of limestone outcrop the water. There are also multiple caves to find, with magnificent rock formations that have developed for over millions of years, many of which can be explored if you kayak around. A good example is s picturesque entrance lies to the northeast of Ba Be Lake, in the hillside of the Lung Nham Range called Puong Cave, through which the Nang river flows under its magnificent limestone structures. The cave is 30 meters wide, and 300 meters deep with thousands of stalactite and stalagmite structures. Its picturesque entrance lies to the northeast of Ba Be Lake, in the hillside of the Lung Nham Range. 

Ba Be Lake Trekking: Ba Be is considered to be one of the best trekking areas in the country by both native Vietnamese and visitors trekking in Ba Be national park. The whole district is dominated by the Pia Booc mountain range rising to a height of 1527m.  It is the harmonious combination between the karst outcrops clad with the paddy fields, besides,  the rich variety of flora and fauna and the cultural diversity has made this a unique and rewarding location. 

Ba Be Lake and Ba Be National Park Discovery: This is a must-visit destination. Ba Be Lake surroundings are covered with evergreen growing along with mountain's scope, that's why the area is always green.

Puong Cave: The Cave is reported 300 meters long and 30 meters high. It is home to sparkling stalactite and thousands of bats. 

Hua Ma Cave: 6 kilometers away from Ba Be Lake is Hua Ma Cave. In order to get there, you have to claim up a stair of nearly 300 rock steps. Inside the cave, you would be overwhelmed by a mysterious and glistening stalactite.

Fairy Pond: only 100 steps away from Ba Be Lake, laying a pond named Fairy. It is believed to be the place for the fairies landing based on an old story about 7 fairies. They were taking a bath by the pond's edge after a long day working and saving people on earth, however, a hunter who fell in love with the youngest fairy found them. He decided to keep her by his side for the whole life, so he took her clothes, her magic wings. When the heaven gates opened the youngest fairy could never find her wing and she must stay, got married to the hunter. She taught the locals how to plant, weave, and livestock.

Pac Ngoi Village: This is considered as a cultural destination because it is the living area of Tay ethnic minority. The village is home to more than 400 ethnic people, most of who are doing agriculture such as raising domestic animals and growing rice.

Best Foods to Try: Some delicious and worth a try dishes are: grilled pork, Pac Ngoi grilled fish, grilled chicken, sticky rice, boiled bamboo shoots with meat, raw fish spring roll.

Ba Be Lake

How to Get to Ba Be Lake & Ba Be National Park?

From Hanoi, you catch a bus or drive a motorbike yourself to Bac Kan, continue to the center Town and hire a motor-taxi/drive straight to Ba Be Lake. The cost of the bus may cost around $5. Driving a motorbike gives you more freedom to visit Ba Ba Lake and the surrounding areas as well as capture the true image of local life. However, remember to check carefully the motor, paying attention to the speed and avoiding driving at night.