Ba Be, nestled in Ba Be Nationwide Park, is one among Vietnam’s largest pure freshwater lakes, recognized for its standing as a distinguished ecotourism vacation spot.
The lake is 70 kilometers northwest of Bac Kan Metropolis of the eponymous province, inside the Nam Mau Commune of Ba Be District, and is about 230 kilometers from Hanoi. It takes its identify (actually “Three Lakes”) from the sequence of interconnected lakes that comprise it – Pe Leng, Pe Lu and Pe Lam. Ba Be sits at an elevation of 145 meters above sea stage. The lake stretches over 8 kilometers in size and spans as much as 3 kilometers at its widest level.
With a water floor space encompassing roughly 500 hectares, a median depth of 20 meters, and its deepest level plunging to 35 meters, Ba Be Lake is enclosed by limestone mountains and a community of subterranean streams and caverns.
The lake is stuffed with varied freshwater fish, a few of that are uncommon and listed in Vietnam’s pink e-book of endangered species, like bangana lemassoni or bagarius bagarius.
Ba Be was chosen as one among 20 freshwater lakes in want of safety by the World Lake Convention in america in 1995. In 1996, it turned a nationwide historic and cultural web site. Additional enhancing its world significance, in 2011, Ba Be was designated a Ramsar web site, confirming its standing as a globally important wetland conservation space.
Guests can get pleasure from a ship journey on Ba Be Lake. Picture courtesy of Tran Xuan Homestay
WHEN TO GO
Ba Be Lake attracts vacationers all yr spherical, with every season providing its distinctive allure. The wet season spans from April to October, whereas the dry season from November to February with the potential of frost.
Essentially the most favorable time to discover Ba Be Lake is from February to April, when the local weather is comfortably cool, with temperatures starting from 25 to 30 levels Celsius. Through the first lunar month, there are quite a few festivals demonstrating the cultures of the native ethnic teams.
WHERE TO VISIT
Exploring Ba Be Lake
Vacationers can choose to hire varied watercraft, reminiscent of canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, or conventional dugout boats, usually departing from both Ba Be Lake or Nang River.
Boats dock on Ba Be Lake, the place the water mirrors the plush forest and the sky. Picture courtesy of CAT
– Motorboat: These boats can carry 12 Vietnamese visitors or 10 overseas visitors, and rental costs fluctuate from VND300,000 to VND1 million ($12 to $41), relying on the period (2 to eight hours) and route.
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding have gained recognition amongst vacationers, providing them the chance to completely immerse themselves in nature.
– Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding: These newer companies have emerged previously 2-3 years, with rental costs starting from VND1.2 million to VND1.5 million ($49 to $62) for a bunch of three boats for a day. Every group of three boats can accommodate as much as six folks.
Along with on-site rental companies, guests can select guided excursions from Hanoi that mix stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and trekking within the nationwide forest, permitting one to discover this northern area. These bundle excursions are priced between VND2 million to VND3 million per particular person and often happen throughout weekends.
Dugout boats present a singular alternative to discover Ba Be Lake and envelop oneself in a tranquil atmosphere. Picture courtesy of Luxurious Journey
– Dugout boat: This conventional mode of transport, utilized by the Tay folks, affords a cultural expertise. Dugout boats are handcrafted from sizable bushes, usually measuring round 50 centimeters in width, and starting from 5 to 10 meters in size. These boats are maneuvered utilizing a single oar by the boat driver. They usually carry 2 to three folks.
Notable locations within the Ba Be Lake space embody:
Pac Ngoi Village
Pac Ngoi, nestled amidst the serene pure environment, affords a tranquil glimpse of village life. Picture by VnExpress/Binh Lam
Pac Ngoi Village, or the Pac Ngoi Cultural Vacationer Space in Nam Mau Commune, is house to the Tay ethnic group, nestled close to the banks of Leng River and Ba Be Lake. Roughly 40 folks reside on this village, which serves as the first hub for lodging within the area.
The village options historic stilt homes with distinctive yin and yang tiled roofs, reflecting Tay architectural traditions. The villagers primarily have interaction in farming, livestock elevating, and fishing in Ba Be Lake.
Guests to this locale can savor native delicacies reminiscent of bamboo-tube rice, grilled fish with meat marinated in powdered grilled corn, and five-color sticky rice. Moreover, vacationers can partake in varied actions, together with fishing, canoeing, and witnessing conventional Tay women’ singing performances.
Hua Ma Cave
Located inside Ba Be Nationwide Park, Hua Ma Cave is accessible through a 300-meter journey from the bottom of Co Don Mountain, full with stairs for ease of motion. The cave entrance is 3 meters broad and 5 meters excessive, resulting in a spacious inside spanning about 1 hectare, with heights reaching 40-50 meters, adorned with quite a few stalactites and partitions.
Legend has it that this was the area of a malevolent spirit. A common patrolling the world heard the cries of unjust souls, prompting him to prepare a grand ceremony, together with horse sacrifice. After the ceremony, the crises ceased, and over time, stalactites have remodeled the cave right into a sacred web site.
Dau Dang Waterfall
Discovered on the Nang River, between Bac Kan and Tuyen Quang provinces, Dau Dang Waterfall shaped when the Nang River flowed by the Lung Nham limestone mountain, creating Puong Cave. Flowing towards Hua Tang Village, the river is obstructed by a mess of huge rocks, giving rise to the waterfall.
The waterfall extends for over 1,000 meters, that includes three tiers with gaps of three to 4 meters between every. This locale is house to the uncommon bagarius fish species, a few of which may weigh a number of tens of kilograms.
Fairy Pond
Fairy Pond is a petite lake spanning roughly 3 hectares, with underground water connections to Ba Be Lake and close by caves. Regardless of being roughly 100 meters from the lake, Fairy Pond stays perpetually stuffed with water. The pond is encircled by moss-covered steps, limestone mountains, and historic forests, making a tranquil, enigmatic environment that piques guests’ curiosity.
WHAT TO EAT
Ba Be entices diners with its various vary of specialties, charming each the palate and the attention with their flavors and shows. Picture courtesy of Reserving
Grilled fish
Grilled fish is a cherished native dish. Freshly caught fish, ready with spices, is grilled over charcoal. One of the best ways to get pleasure from it’s sizzling, alongside different native dishes.
no bigger than a thumb on the grill. The fish listed below are famend for his or her freshness and
delectably candy flesh. Picture by VnExpress
Chinese language sausage
The Chinese language sausage at Ba Be Lake is crafted utilizing pork sourced from the area. Notably, it is marinated with an area ginger selection, unique to limestone mountains, prized for its spiciness and aromatic aroma, which infuses a singular taste into the sausage.
After preparation, the sausages are both smoked or saved in kitchens for long-term preservation. This dish is a favourite amongst many and pairs effectively with native wine.
Dried meat
Like dried buffalo meat within the kitchens of the Northwestern highlands, the Tay ethnic folks make use of this methodology to protect meat for year-round consumption. Hanging pork within the kitchen not solely extends its shelf life but in addition enhances its taste. At this time, locals nonetheless put together meat dishes within the kitchen for particular events when entertaining esteemed visitors or celebrating Lunar New Yr.
WHERE TO STAY
Inside Ba Be Lake, guests will discover quite a lot of lodging selections. Costs for a room accommodating two folks vary from VND150,000 to VND1.2 million ($6 to $49). In the event you desire neighborhood homes, they usually price between VND70,000 to VND100,000 per particular person.
Many homestays operated by the Tay ethnic group are clustered alongside the lakeside. Picture by VnExpress/Dang Hai
Lodging situated near Ba Be Lake, providing balconies or rooms with lake views, are primarily native homestays, typically together with communal dwelling areas. These choices usually present fundamental facilities. Guests in search of extra absolutely outfitted lodging could have to look a pair kilometers away from the lakeside, within the space close to the nationwide park entrance.
For these in search of suggestions, Tripadvisor suggests a number of locations, together with Thai Binh Lodge, Saigon Ba Be Lodge, Ba Be Nationwide Park Lodge, and homestays like Huyen Hao, Tran Xuan, Hoang Nguyen, and Minh Quang.
For a singular expertise, tenting alongside the lake has develop into more and more widespread. Some really helpful places embody the alluvial land on the finish of the Leng River in Pac Ngoi Village, the Hoi Xuan space, Lac Nga Backyard, and Puong Cave. Costs for tenting fluctuate from VND1 million to VND2 million per particular person, relying on the extent of service offered.
HOW TO GET THERE
To achieve Bac Kan, one can take both of two routes from Hanoi: the primary includes following the previous Nationwide Freeway 3, which takes about 3 hours, whereas the second possibility entails taking the Hanoi – Thai Nguyen Expressway after which persevering with on Nationwide Freeway 3, decreasing journey time to roughly 2 hours, however is barely possible for automotive journey.
As soon as in Bac Kan Metropolis, vacationers can embark on the journey to Ba Be Lake by two routes: both by taking provincial highway 256, overlaying a distance of round 60 kilometers, or through provincial highway 257 resulting in Don Market, adopted by a continuation to Ba Be, which extends the journey to round 70 kilometers.
Vacationers may go for passenger buses departing from My Dinh bus station in Hanoi. There are a number of bus corporations working routes to Bac Kan or Cao Bang Metropolis, passing by widespread vacationer locations, together with Ba Be Lake.
For guests touring from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis and southern provinces, essentially the most sensible method is to fly to Hanoi after which comply with the directions above.
The mornings and evenings at Ba Be Lake are typically chilly, even throughout summer time, so it is advisable to deliver a jacket. Moreover, insect repellent is critical because of the presence of mosquitoes and different bugs.
Given the restricted variety of meals and grocery shops within the village, guests ought to plan forward by bringing snacks and drinks. It is really helpful to pre-order meals.
For these serious about staying in Pac Ngoi Village, bike taxis may be hailed on the nationwide park gate, or preparations may be made by the homestay for transportation companies.
Story by Tam Anh
