Cập nhật: 01-01-1970 12:00:00 | Blogs about Vietnam | Lượt xem: 1091
In the middle of Northern Vietnam, Ba Be National Park is an ecotourism paradise known for its breathtaking scenery and idyllic atmosphere. This place boasts various limestone peaks, valleys, forests, waterfalls, caves, and, above all, a huge lake that makes up the heart of the whole park. If you’re in search of somewhere fresh and perfectly tranquil in Vietnam, make sure you don’t miss the stunning Ba Be National Park and its same-name reservoir.
Overview
Ba Be National Park is a national park, special-use forest and eco-tourism area located in Ba Be district, Bac Kan province, 250 km from Hanoi. As home to various rare endangered flora and fauna, the park plays a significant role in conserving biodiversity in the whole region. It was recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2004.
Ba Be National Park stretches over 7610 ha, of which 3226 ha are strictly protected areas, 4084 ha is forest regeneration area, and 300 ha is lake surface. The center of the park is Ba Be Lake, which was formed approximately 200 million years ago and is now the largest natural lake in Vietnam. Its name, “Ba Be”, literally means three lakes, since they are linked to one another.
Dotted around the park are small hamlets where ethnic minority communities like Tay, Dao, and H’mong reside. Despite the growing renown of Ba Be as a tourist attraction, local villagers here still maintain their humble, quiet lifestyle. They mostly live off the land and freshwater fish is their main source of income.
As a mountain-river-lake complex, Ba Be National Park is blessed with nice weather all year round and can be visited anytime. However, the dry season (winter and spring) is a better period for an enjoyable trip to Ba Be since this area is often flooded during its wet season due to the Nang River’s high water level.
The ideal time to explore Ba Be National Park is February – April when the climate is dry and pleasant at 25 – 30°C. Notably, February (or the first lunar month) is also the time of Tong Long – a traditional festival where surrounding ethnic groups gather to dance, compete in sports and pray for a prosperous year.
The easiest way to reach Ba Be National Park is to catch a bus from Hanoi. Most buses to Bac Kan depart from My Dinh Station and pass by many tourist attractions along the way, including Ba Be National Park. The cost should be about $6 – 12 for a 3 – 5 hour ride, depending on the service you choose. If you’re traveling from another city, you probably need to move to Hanoi first.
The most common way to reach Ba Be National Park is by car. You can opt for a bus or rent a private car. Staying at a homestay or hotel in Ba Be, you can explore the neighborhoods on your own. You also can book a full package including Ba Be National Park and Ban Gioc Waterfalls for 4 days and 3 nights. Just join the trip, and we will handle everything for you.
In addition to being visually wondrous, Ba Be is also culturally fascinating, and spending the night in a lakeside stilt house is the best way to experience all that. Apart from fully taking in the natural atmosphere, it’s also a great chance to engage in local daily lives, sample regional delicacies, vibe to lively performances by the young villagers, and possibly take part in a celebration during special occasions.
This location offers an abundant collection of homestays and guesthouses, but the most well-liked ones are mainly placed in Pac Ngoi Village – a cultural tourist area inhabited by the Tay ethnic group.
Stretching over 8 km in length and 20 – 30 m in depth, Ba Be Lake Vietnam is a fantastic spot to explore by watercraft. Boat trips on Ba Be Lake might last 2 – 8 hours and pass by a variety of attractions like An Ma Temple, Fairy Pond, Puong Cave, Hua Ma Cave or Dau Dang Waterfall… As you glide through the serene waters, you’ll be able to take in the picturesque scenery of the imposing limestone mountains and dense evergreen forests around.
The most popular choice for a trip on Ba Be Lake is the medium-sized boat, which can accommodate 10 – 12 guests and costs $12 – 40, depending on the route. For a more private experience, opt for a dugout canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Prices for such services often range from $16 – 20 per person, and they can also bring you closer to the karsts.
When embarking on a Tour package Ba Be National Park - Ban Gioc Waterfalls 4 days 3 nights, you will have the pleasure trekking into the jungle of the Ba Be National Park. Trekking in Ba Be National Park is a great way to find harmony with nature, especially when you plan to stay for more than one day here. Featuring amazingly scenic paths and a serene atmosphere, Ba Be is widely favored by both local and foreign trekkers. Along the way, you’ll be able to visit local villages, roam deep into lush forests, climb up beautiful hills and admire astonishing scenery.
Most common trekking routes in Ba Be National Park usually start at Ba Be Lake and end at an attraction nearby, for instance, An Ma Temple, Dau Dang Waterfall, or Lo Mo Cave. The lengths of such paths should fall between 7 and 12 km. Of course, you can also come up with your itinerary and trek to your heart’s content.
Another highlight of Ba Be National Park is its gorgeous waterfalls, of which Dau Dang Waterfall and Silver Waterfall are the most prominent ones. Lying between two limestone mountains, Dau Dang is a spectacular waterfall with a total of 1000 km in length. It spreads over three floors of cascades on the Nang River and fabulously stands out on the vast greenery of the park. If you’re here in March or April, you’ll be able to witness a fun scene of countless fishes racing to cross the waterways.
Another graceful fall you shouldn’t miss in Ba Be is Silver Waterfall (or Tat Ma Waterfall) in Vang Village, 8 km South of Ba Be Lake. Stretching 40 m from the top of Khau Ma Pass, this multi-layered fall looks like a silky white ribbon that adorns the beauty of Ba Be National Park in a charming way. At the foot of the fall, you’ll also spot several small lakes that are perfect to cool down on a hot summer day.
The most popular off-the-water sights in Ba Be are its magnificent cave systems, typically Puong Cave and Hua Ma Cave. Located in the North of the park, Puong Cave is a double-entranced cave that extends over approximately 300 m and contains numerous unique stalactites and stalagmites. It was formed when the Nang River flowed through the foot of the Lung Nham limestone range, creating an extremely spectacular landscape. Interestingly, Puong Cave is home to tens of thousands of bats of 23 different species.
Meanwhile, Hua Ma Cave is a 700m-long cave complex located a few km from Pac Ngoi Village. The cave perches at an altitude of 350 m and is one of the most pristine natural caves in the whole region. It takes about 15 m to climb the staircase, then you’ll enter a soaring 50-meter-high cavern that boasts mesmerizing limestones, stalactites and stalagmites. Aside from its impressive appearance, this cave is also famous for a mysterious legend related to the spirits of soldiers in the past.
A trip to Ba Be won’t be complete without its mouth-watering specialties of Bac Kan Province. Some simple yet delicious dishes you can find here are fish from Ba Be Lake grilled on charcoal, traditional sweet sausage (lap xuong), smoked pork, mugwort cake, sour shrimp paste, buffalo meat wrapped in piper lolot leaves, and five-colored sticky rice.
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Active & Adventure - 10 days 9 nights
