Ba Be National Park - Ba Be lake
Ba Be Lake and Ba Be National Park are located 250 km north of Hanoi and cover an area of 76 km2.
The national park houses several lakes, the largest of which is Ba Be Lake. In addition to water, the park is covered with forests, harboring around 38 plant species that are on the IUCN’s red list of endangered plants, as well as cliffs/limestone mountains, Puong Cave, and the Dau Dang waterfall.
Vietnam’s largest natural lake, Ba Be Lake, forms the core of Ba Be National Park. Here, limestone cliffs and tropical forests abound. Ba Be National Park also offers a variety of birds, picturesque valleys, towering rock formations, underground rivers, a gigantic cave, and local ethnic minorities. In other words, it has everything a nature lover and ecotourist could desire.
Ba Be National Park is a piece of extraordinary nature with farmland and rugged pieces of rock peeking out curiously from the filtered jungle vegetation, and Ba Be National Park is one of Vietnam’s richest areas of biological diversity. It boasts 1281 plant species, several of which are very rare and listed on the IUCN’s red list of endangered species.
The park is a cornucopia of wildlife, including 81 species of mammals, 17 amphibians, 322 bird species, 106 fish species, as well as 553 species of insects and spiders.
Ba Be lake
Ba Be Lake (meaning “Three Lakes” in the local Tay language) is the largest natural freshwater lake, stretching about 8 km in a north-south direction. Its average depth varies between 17 and 23 meters, with a maximum depth of 35 meters. The lake is situated at an altitude of approximately 150 meters above sea level, making it Vietnam’s highest located lake. The name “Three Lakes” refers to the three parts of the lake named Pe Leng, Pe Lu, and Pe Lam.
A boat trip on Ba Be Lake can be combined with a visit to Puong Cave, where 18 species of bats can be found. Visitors are guided through the cave via an underground river that passes through the mountain.
Ba Be is considered by both native Vietnamese and visitors to be the best trekking area in the country. The entire district is dominated by the Pia Book mountain range, which reaches a height of 1527 meters. A trekking tour here combines nature and rich vegetation, the carpets of rice fields on the slopes, and the abundant variety of flora and fauna.
Kayaking is perhaps the best way to explore Ba Be Lake. Paddling through islets, discovering hidden caves, and visiting fishing villages are some of the experiences kayaks can provide, reaching places that larger boats can’t. However, a trip with slightly larger boats accommodating 6-8 people is also an experience not to be overlooked.
Ba Be is also fantastic to explore by bicycle. Car rentals and motorbike taxis can also be arranged in Ba Be. Motorbike taxis can be a great way to explore the park, as the drivers usually know the best spots.
There are plenty of exciting accommodation options in and around Ba Be, especially homestays which are very popular.
Ba Be also offers a rich gastronomic experience, with a myriad of specialties to indulge in. There are too many to mention, but boiled chayote with sesame or “lon cap nach,” which is meat from pigs raised in the fields or forests, are favorites for many. Grilled meat and fish, a wide variety of vegetables, rice cooked in bamboo tubes, noodles, and eggs are just some of the other specialties of the area.
Ba Be is still not visited by as many tourists as the area justifies, meaning that you can truly experience life around the lake and the ethnic groups in their natural environment. The possibilities in Ba Be National Park are numerous, catering to various preferences.
Experience Ba Be National park
We can offer 2-5 day tours to Ba Be, where you get to see Ba Be Lake, explore a cave, and enjoy the stunning scenery, to a motorbike tour from Hanoi, or how about a challenging trekking adventure?
Ba Be is still untouched by mass tourism. If you want to experience Ba Be and its beautiful nature before it becomes crowded with tourists, now is your chance.
