Discover Ba Be Lake: The mysterious gem of Bac Kan land

Ba Be is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in Vietnam, part of Ba Be National Park and is a famous eco-tourism destination loved by many people.

Where is Ba Be Lake?

Ba Be Lake is located 70 km northwest of Bac Kan city, in Nam Mau commune, Ba Be district. The lake is made up of three lakes, Pe Leng, Pe Lu and Pe Lam. Ba Be is located at an altitude of 145 m above sea level, more than 8 km long, about 3 km wide at its widest point, with a water surface area of about 500 ha, an average depth of 20 m, and 35 m at its deepest point, surrounded by limestone mountains and many underground streams and caves. Ba Be has many species of freshwater fish, including extremely rare species listed in the Vietnam Red Book such as whale carp, green dam fish, and catfish.

In 1995, Ba Be Lake was recognized by the World Freshwater Lake Conference in the US as one of 20 special freshwater lakes in need of protection. In 1996, the lake was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic. In 2011, Ba Be was recognized as a Ramsar site - a wetland reserve of international importance.

Ba Be Lake - Unique ecological paradise in Vietnam

Located in the heart of Ba Be National Park, Ba Be Lake is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the country, attracting tourists with its wild beauty and rich biodiversity.

With a prime location, Ba Be Lake is 70 km northwest of Bac Kan city, in Nam Mau commune, Ba Be district. Ba Be Lake is formed from three lakes Pe Leng, Pe Lu and Pe Lam, located at an altitude of 145 m above sea level. With a length of more than 8 km and a water surface area of about 500 hectares, the deepest lake reaches 35 m, surrounded by limestone mountains and many underground streams and caves.

Ba Be Lake is home to many rare freshwater fish species such as carp, blue bream, and catfish. This biodiversity has led to Ba Be Lake being recognized as one of 20 special freshwater lakes in need of protection at the World Freshwater Lakes Conference in the US in 1995. In 1996, the lake was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic and in 2011, it was recognized as a Ramsar site - a wetland reserve of international importance.

Transportation to Ba Be Lake

To get to Ba Be Lake, visitors can choose between two routes from Hanoi to Bac Kan. The first route is along the old National Highway 3, which can be traveled by motorbike and takes about 3 hours. The second route is along the Hanoi - Thai Nguyen Expressway, then onto National Highway 3, which takes about 2 hours but is only suitable for cars.

From Bac Kan city, visitors have two options to get to Ba Be Lake. The first way is to take provincial road 256, about 60 km, and the second way is to take provincial road 257 to Cho Don and then continue to Ba Be, about 70 km.

Buses from My Dinh bus station (Hanoi) also have routes to Bac Kan, suitable for tourists who want to visit Ba Be Lake. From the southern provinces, the best way to travel is to fly to Hanoi and continue following the instructions above.

When should I go to Ba Be Lake?

Ba Be Lake can be explored all year round with each season offering different experiences. The rainy season is from April to October, the dry season is from November to February of the following year, with cold weather and possible frost. However, the best weather to visit Ba Be Lake is from February to April, when the weather is cool with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. Especially on January 9 and 10, visitors can participate in many unique cultural festivals of the ethnic groups in the area.

Where to stay when visiting Ba Be Lake

Accommodation options near Ba Be Lake are typically locally run homestays, which may have balconies or lake views, and may even include communal rooms. Amenities are usually basic. If you want a more fully-equipped accommodation experience, you can choose accommodations 1 to 2 kilometers away from the lake, near the entrance to the national park.

Camping by the lake is a new experience that many tourists have recently loved. Some reference locations include: the alluvial land at the end of the Leng River in Pac Ngoi village, Hoi Xuan beach, Lac Nga garden, and Puong cave. Prices usually range from 1 to 2 million VND per person, depending on the full package or individual services that tourists choose.

What to do in Ba Be Lake

Visitors to Ba Be Lake can choose from a variety of exploration options, from renting canoes, kayaks, SUPs (stand-up paddleboards) to experiencing dugout canoes. There are usually two starting points: Ba Be Lake and the Nang River.

Motorboat Rental: Motorboats can be rented for 12 people (Vietnamese guests) or 10 people (foreign guests). Rental prices range from 300,000 VND to 1 million VND, depending on rental time (from 2 to 8 hours) and route.

Kayak and SUP: These are new services in the last 2-3 years. Rental price is about 1.2 to 1.5 million VND for a group of 3 boats for a day. Visitors will be provided with life jackets to ensure safety. Maximum number of people for 3 boats is 6 people.

In addition to renting services yourself, visitors can also join tours departing from Hanoi, combining SUP, kayaking and trekking through national forests, exploring the wonderful natural beauty of the North. Prices for package tours range from 2 to 3 million VND per person, usually lasting for two weekends.

Dugout canoe: This is the traditional means of transportation of the Tay ethnic group around the lake. The boat is made from a large tree, about 50 cm wide and 5 to 10 m long, using oars. Dugout can only carry 2-3 people.

What to eat in Ba Be Lake

Grilled Fish: Grilled fish is a culinary symbol of the local people in Ba Be Lake. Fresh fish caught by fishermen are cleaned, marinated with special spices and placed on hot coals to grill. The fish is usually best when hot, enjoyed with other local dishes.

Chinese sausage: Chinese sausage at Ba Be Lake is made from local pork. What makes it special is that it is marinated with rock ginger, a spicy and aromatic ginger that only grows on limestone mountains, giving it a unique flavor. After processing, the sausage is smoked or hung to dry to preserve and enhance the flavor. This is a favorite dish of many people, especially when combined with local wine.

Smoked Meat: Similar to the smoked buffalo meat of the Northwest ethnic people, the Tay ethnic people also consider smoked meat as a method to preserve meat and use it throughout the year. Smoked pork not only lasts longer but also has a richer flavor. Nowadays, smoked meat is still a popular choice for parties, welcoming distinguished guests or on holidays.

Ba Be Lake is not only a famous tourist destination with its wild natural beauty but also a place with a strong cultural identity of the ethnic people in the mountainous region. From beautiful roads to rich cuisine, visitors will experience special things at this place. Ba Be Lake will definitely be an unforgettable experience in the journey to discover the beauty of Vietnam.

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