Ba Be

Ethnics Natural Heritages Cruises Trekking

Located 240 km directly north of Hanoi, Ba Be Lake, which means "Three Lakes" in the local Tay language, is nestled in the heart of the National Park of the same name, in Bac Kan Province. It is the largest freshwater natural reserve in Vietnam and one of the 20 largest lakes in the world. Situated at an altitude of 178 meters above sea level, with an average depth of about twenty meters, it stretches for approximately 8 kilometers in length and 2 kilometers in width, surrounded by limestone cliffs and hills covered with lush primary forests.

The surface area of Ba Be Lake varies from 3 to 5 square kilometers depending on the season and never dries up, unlike many lakes in karst regions with limestone terrain. It serves as a natural flood buffer for the region.

The richness of its biodiversity and the beauty of its landscapes have earned Ba Be Lake the distinction of being the first Vietnamese site protected under the Ramsar Convention*.

The Ba Be region is also home to several ethnic groups, including the Tay, Dzao, H'Mong, and Kinh, where lush green valleys blend with nature, creating a bridge between paradise and the world.

Out in the open, away from the noise of cities, the pure beauty of Ba Be will transport you to what Nature has created as its most precious, enchanted and pristine landscapes—an oasis of green that will delight you during a getaway, a weekend, or a stopover on your journeys in northeastern Vietnam.

*Ramsar Convention: The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, which provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their resources.

Things to see and do

Fauna and Flora of Ba Be National Park

Ba Be National Park is a top ecotourism destination in Vietnam, known for its rich and diverse fauna and flora. The park boasts nearly 1,300 plant species, including 660 trees, among them precious species like Erythrophleum fordi and Burretiodendron hsienmu from the Magnolia family, as well as nearly 200 types of orchids, some of which are endemic to this region.

In terms of fauna, this unique geological setting of karst mountains is the natural habitat of around 530 animal species, including 81 mammals, 27 reptiles, 17 amphibians, and 322 birds. The park is home to several endangered species, such as François' Langur (a semnopithecus monkey), Owston's palm civet, the European otter, the Asian black bear (or Tibetan bear), the short-tailed pangolin, and the slow loris, a primate of the Nycticebus family.

The lake itself houses over a hundred species of freshwater fish, constituting one-third of the known fish population in Northern Vietnam. Among them are 11 rare species listed on the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

*The IUCN Red List is a global inventory of the conservation status of plant and animal species. It assesses the risk of extinction of threatened species worldwide.

Hiking

Hiking is the best way to explore the richness of Ba Be National Park's fauna and flora. Several trails await you, leading you from forests to rivers and into ethnic villages.

The shores of Ba Be Lake and its immediate surroundings are populated by various ethnic groups, including the Tay, Hmong, and Dao. While traditional attire is mostly reserved for special occasions and traditional festivals, the village architecture, with its stilt houses and thatched roofs, retains the spirit and culture of the indigenous ethnic groups. Staying with local families offers a genuine immersion into local life, where you can participate in their activities or purchase their handicrafts—a supportive and equitable way to encourage local initiatives.

A Cruise on Ba Be Lake

The karst cliffs and lush vegetation on its steep banks have earned Ba Be Lake its reputation as the "Halong Bay in the mountains," making it an essential site to visit in Northern Vietnam. A cruise amidst these magnificent landscapes will take you to Puong Cave, Dau Dang Waterfalls, and Ba Goa Island.

Opportunities for kayaking and bamboo rafting excursions are also available for adventure enthusiasts.

Good to Know

When to visit?

Throughout the year, regardless of the season.

Access

By private vehicle: The entrance to Ba Be National Park is a 5-hour drive from Hanoi via National Highway 3 and, from Bac Kan, on Provincial Road 258, approximately 40 km further.

By local bus: Only the Thuong Nga agency offers a direct bus service to Ba Be from My Dinh Bus Station in Hanoi. Other local buses will drop you off at Cho Ra, about 16 km away.

Where to eat and taste

Enjoy delicious grilled fish freshly caught from the lake, grilled or in hotpot form. You can also savor mountain specialties like grilled chicken or the leaves and stems of Bo Khai (erythropalum scandens), an edible plant in the Olacaceae family.