Ba Be Travel Guide | All You Need to Know About a Ba Be Trip

Ba Be Lake - a green gem in the middle of the mountains and forests of the Northeast - is an ideal ecotourism destination for many domestic and foreign tourists.

Located in the world's top 20 largest freshwater lakes, Ba Be Lake has a wild and romantic beauty with a cool and pleasant atmosphere. Nothing is more wonderful than taking a quiet moment to admire a vast body of water, and relax in the refreshing water after the days of conquering the mountains.

1. General information

Ba Be Lake, also known as Sam Pé Lake, is made up of three lakes formed by the confluence of three tributary rivers: Pé Lam, Pé Lu, and Pé Leng in Nam Mau commune, Ba Be district, Bac Kan province. The area boasts a diverse ecosystem, including mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes, and is known for its fresh, cool climate all year round.

Ba Be Lake is situated at an altitude of about 145 meters above sea level, covering a surface area of over 650 hectares and stretching 8 kilometers in length. The lake is encompassed by limestone mountains, featuring numerous caves and underground streams, and has an average depth of 20-25 meters.

In the middle of the lake, there are two small islands that are famous photographing spots when visiting Ba Be Lake: An Ma and Ba Goa Islands.

There are five ethnic groups living in this area. The Tay, living nearby the lake, are the majority. They are the first group to reside here since over 2,000 years ago. The Nung, Dzao, and Hmong people live in the high mountains, while the Kinh people just came to reside right along the lake.

2. When to travel to Ba Be Lake?

Ba Be Lake area enjoys a consistently cool and pleasant climate throughout the year, making it an ideal destination for visits at any time. In the summer, it provides a perfect escape from the city's heat.

The beginning of autumn and spring are the seasons for nature enthusiasts. The high clear sky along with the surrounding mountains reflecting on the crystal clear surface of the lake, creating a majestic and poetic scene.

Spring is the festive season. The Long Tong festival - Going down the rice field ceremony - of the Tay ethnic group in Ba Be is held on the 9th - 10th of the first lunar month every year, praying for good weather, good crops, prosperous life, and peace.

The festival offers many interesting activities such as rowing, throwing, wrestling, archery, and traditional singing. The festival has many attractive activities such as rowing, throwing, wrestling, archery, traditional singing ...

3. How to get to Ba Be Lake?

Ba Be is about 220km from Hanoi, and it takes about 5 hours to travel there by car. You can take a public bus or rent a private car.

• Public local bus.

Currently, An Binh bus goes straight from Hanoi to Ba Be boat station.

Pick-up locations in Hanoi: The bus departs from the gate of My Dinh bus station and stops to pick up passengers at Dai Co Viet Street, LOTTE Center Hanoi, and 50 Vo Chi Cong Street.

Drop-off point in Ba Be: Ba Be Lake Boat wharf.

Price: 260.000 VND/pax

Note that the bus is not very comfortable, so you will have to accept some inconveniences along the way: small bus, cramped seats, often full with passengers and goods, stopping along the road at any time to pick up more passengers, quite noisy.

• Rent a private car

From Hanoi, follow the highway Hanoi - Thai Nguyen to Thai Nguyen, then turn to National Road 3, to the intersection with TL 268 (km 31), turn left to Dinh Hoa (Cho Chu), keep going to Road 254 to Bang Lung (Cho Don) about 40km more to Ba Be. This route will take you to the homestay on the lake side, from these homestays people also have boats to take you around the lake.

If you want to explore the Northeast trip, rent a private car. The bus system connecting Ba Be with Northeast tourist destinations such as Cao Bang, Bao Lac, Ha Giang, or Thac Ba Lake is still very poor. You will have to change cars many times, and it takes a long time to get to where you need to go.

4. What to see in Ba Be Lake?

4.1 Dau Dang waterfall

Dau Dang Waterfall is one of the symbols of Ba Be tourism. The gentle stream of Nang River flowing to Hua Tang village in Nam Mau commune is blocked by hundreds of large and small rocks stacked with a slope of about 500m, forming a majestic three-step waterfall, each step about 3-4m in distance.

As one of the famous landmarks here, the Dau Dang waterfall always gives visitors a different impression when they visit Ba Be Lake. This area is also home to Chien fish, a rare species of fish; some weigh up to 10 kilograms. To visit Dau Dang waterfall, you need an hour of boat ride plus another 20 minutes of walking to reach the foot of the waterfall. The majestic scenery will leave a deep impression on you.

4.2 Puong cave

Puong Cave, in Cao Thuong commune, Ba Be, is a 300-meter-long, 30-meter-high cave with vertical cliffs and many stalactites of different shapes and colors. The cave was formed when the Nang River passed through the Lung Nham limestone mountain, creating a spectacular landscape.

Inside the cave, strange-shaped stalactites hang down, along with the shimmering light on the crystal-clear water. Visitors can take a boat ride through Puong cave, like in Halong Bay or Tam Coc. The cave’s ceiling is home to tens of thousands of bats, making it a unique experience for tourists.

4.3 Hua Ma Cave

Hua Ma cave (or Leo Pen cave) is located by the Leng River, 4 km from Pac Ngoi village. The cave is in the middle of Co Don mountain, 350 m above sea level, and covered by dense green trees. Pac Ngoi village to Hua Ma cave is a favorite cycling route for tourists.

Although the road from the foot of the mountain to the entrance of the cave has stairs, visitors still have to climb 300 meters to reach Hua Ma Cave. Outside of the cave is a very beautiful and peaceful ethnic village with rustic stilt houses nestled in the immense green color of mountains and forests.

4.4 Fairy Pond

Ao Tien is a lovely small lake located in the middle of a limestone basin, isolated from the Ba Be Lake. From the bank of Ba Be Lake, you can reach the pond after a brief walk. The pond is formed by groundwater that seeps through the surrounding rock.
With a crystal clear and calm body of water surrounded by majestic mountains and green trees, Ao Tien will give you a peaceful sense as if you were in the middle of a fairyland. According to local legends, fairies used to descend here to bathe and play.

4.5 Pac Ngoi Village

Located in the core area of Ba Be National Park, Pac Ngoi village attracts tourists by its peaceful scenery, unique and beautiful Tay culture. The village is located on quite flat land. In front of the village, the fields are fertile all year round along with a giant limestone mountain range behind. Pac Ngoi village still has a number of old stilt houses with unique architectural designs.

Everyone in the village is from the Tay ethnic group. For generations, they have been growing rice and maize in alluvial areas along the river, as well as fishing on Ba Be Lake for a living. Currently, the majority of households in the village engage in business in tourist service activities.

Coming to Pac Ngoi village, you will experience and enjoy delicious specialties of the lake area (Com lam (sticky rice in the bamboo pipe), grilled freshwater fishes, local vegetables, five colors sticky rice….); sleeping on stilts house; taking motorboat rides on the lake; fishing; enjoying Tày girls dancing and singing performance and visiting the ethnic villages around Ba Be Lake.

The Pac Ngoi night market takes place every Friday and Saturday evening. This is an opportunity to meet different ethnic groups and discover their unique, typical local life, cultures, and products.

5. What to do in Ba Be Lake?

5.1 Boat trip

Boating is a must while visiting the lake. Sitting on a boat, wandering on a vast lake surrounded by forests and rocky mountains, feeling the breath of nature with all of your senses, letting yourself go, and relaxing—isn't it great?
In Ba Be, you can choose between a dugout canoe, a traditional boat of local people, or a motorboat. Motor boats are usually preferred because they can travel longer distances.

• Motorboat

You can start from the side of Ba Be National Park (Ba Be boat wharf) or from Pac Ngoi village. Each boat trip will last about 3-4 hours depending on the schedule of the visit.

Boat schedule and price for visiting Ba Be Lake:

Depart from Ba Be boat wharf

• Ba Be Lake – Fairy Pond – Puong cave – Dau Dang waterfall: 800.000 VND
• Ba Be Lake – An Ma temple – Fairy Pond – Puong Cave: 750.000 VND
• Ba Be Lake – An Ma temple – Fairy Pond – Dau Dang waterfall: 600.000 VND
• Ba Be Lake – An Ma temple – Fairy Pond: 400.000 VND
• Ba Be Lake – An Ma temple: 200.000 VND

Depart from Buoc Lom wharf for the route Nang River to Ba Be Lake

• Buoc Lom – Puong Cave – Dau Dang waterfall – Fairy Pond – An Ma temple – Pac Ngoi: 800.000 VND
• Buoc Lom – Puong Cave – Fairy Pond – An Ma temple – Pac Ngoi: 750.000 VND
• Buoc Lom – Pac ngoi: 700.000 VND
• Buoc Lom – Puong Cave – Fairy Pond – An Ma temple – The North Wharf – The South Wharf: 700.000 VND

Regulation for the number of people on the boat trip:
12 people/1 boat for domestic tourists
10 people/1 boat for foreign tourists

• Dugout canoe

The dugout canoe (thuyen doc moc) is a unique cultural feature in Ba Be Lake. Originally, the name meant: ”single tree”, the boat was made from only one tree. However, nowadays, people have built boats with the design of a single wood but made of metal to protect forests and limit deforestation.

From a means of transport and fishing for the local people, dugout canoeing has become a favorite tourist activity. Sitting on a small boat rowing by a Tay girl in traditional costumes amidst the natural beauty, you will experience different feelings mixed with a little thrill and excitement. Price: 300.000 VND/2hours/2pax

5.2 Kayaking

Kayaking is the best activity for enjoying the beauty of Ba Be Lake. You can reach hard-to-reach places and visit small islands, rocky outcrops, and caves.

Wearing a life jacket is mandatory when kayaking. You can also bring a swimsuit, swimming equipment, sunglasses, and sunscreen to enjoy the cool and refreshing water. Price: 8 USD/hour/2 pax

5.3 Walking - Trekking

Ba Be is also an ideal destination for those who love walking. Around the lake are the villages of the Tay, Nung, Dao, and Hmong ethnic groups. You have many options: trek for one day, two days, or three days. Usually, you will have a full day in Ba Be for boat trips and walking in the lakeside villages.

5.4 Cycling

Many people are interested in cycling in Ba Be. The most popular route is from Pac Ngoi to Hua Ma Cave. This 4km journey takes you through beautiful and peaceful villages, green forests, and gentle streams.

Most homestays offer bicycles for rent. The bike quality in Ba Be is not as good as in other tourist destinations but there are not many options in this remote area. Price: 50.000 VND / person

6. Where to stay in Ba Be Lake?

The main accommodation option in Ba Be is staying in the local stilt houses. In Pac Ngoi and Bo Lu villages, the stilt houses have been renovated to a new appearance and are equipped to serve tourists from all over the world. Homestays in Ba Be have also been highly rated. There are large houses divided into separate bedrooms.

Booking a homestay is always a recommended experience for tourists because you will have unforgettable moments with indigenous people to better understand their daily life: cooking with the host, having dinner and chatting with them with the help from your tour guide, having fun and participating in a traditional music show with the villagers…

The price for overnight with dinner and breakfast in stilts house is only 15 USD/pax

Hotel: Besides the homestay, you can stay in a hotel in Ba Be for better accommodations:

• Saigon Ba Be Resort 
  • Add: Na Khieng village, Ba Be district, Bac Kan Province
  • Price: from 60 USD/room/night (2 people/room including breakfast)
• Ba Be Resort
  • Add: Buoc Luom, Khang Ninh Commune, Ba Be
  • Price: from 30 USD/room/night (2 people/room including breakfast)
• Ba Be Lakeside Bungalow
  • Add: Toc Coc village, Nam Mau commune, Ba Be district, Bac Kan Province
  • Price: 30 USD/room/night (2 people/room including breakfast)
• Ba Be Ecolodge
  • Add: Na Khieng village, Khanh Ninh, Ba Be, Na Khieng, Bac Kan
  • Price: 25 USD/room/night (2 people/room including breakfast)

7. What to eat in Ba Be Lake?

Ba Be offers rustic local dishes that are especially appealing to visitors. You can try grilled fish, shrimp, and crab—all caught in Ba Be Lake. These are favorite dishes among Vietnamese tourists. In addition, roasted suckling pig, chicken from the garden, sticky rice, and fresh bamboo shoots will also bring special flavors to your meal.

8. How to organize a trip to Ba Be?

Usually, tours in Ba Be are combined with Northeast or Northeast trips. Depending on your time schedule, you can choose from the following schedules:

• Hanoi – Ba Be Lake – Bao Lac – Dong Van – Ha Giang – Hanoi: 7 days
• Hanoi – Ha Giang – Dong Van – Bao Lac – Cao  Bang – Ban Gioc waterfall – Cao Bang – Ba Be -  Hanoi: 9 days
• Hanoi – Ba Be – Thac Ba – Bac Ha – Sapa – Hanoi: 6 days

See more: Top-rated Ba Be Tours