I’m a photography enthusiast, and the landscapes in Northwest Vietnam seem incredible for capturing scenic views. Are there any specific spots that are particularly photogenic...
With its charming scenery, monumental mountains, and hills surrounded by bamboo forests, Ba Khan Valley is considered a wonder in the heart of Mai Chau province. So if you want to discover this wonder, this is your complete guide. Now let's scroll down!
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What are the reasons for visiting Ba Khan Valley?
The magnificence of nature
Lying in the middle of the valley is Ba Khan Lake, also called Hoa Binh Lake - one of the biggest artificial lakes in Vietnam. It is located on the Da River (230km) and is one of the most incredible places for travel besides Mai Chau and Thung Nai. Belonging to the area of Ba Khan Valley (129km to the West of Hanoi), Ba Khan Lake has a water surface area of nearly 8,000 hectares and a capacity of 9.45 billion cubic meters. Apart from being on the top list of the biggest lakes in Vietnam, Ba Khan Lake is unique for its unspoiled beauty.
This place is still sparsely populated, therefore, you will feel that quiet, fresh, and peace-of-mind atmosphere whenever you arrive and witness the natural scenery that is untouched.
For early birds, you might get a chance to watch the misty clouds covering the surrounding green ranges of mountains during sunrise, for a second, you might think that heaven comes to you. That’s why people call Ba Khan “the forgotten paradise”.
And for night owls who usually sleep till noon, don’t worry, you might be able to see the most colorful picture from Ba Khan Valley. When the mist fades away, the sunlight clarifies the blue of the water and the blue of the sky as if they were one, and the mountains will be more majestic than any other time of the day.
At the end of the day, nothing is better than watching the sunset with your loved ones, and nowhere is more beautiful than Ba Khan Valley. When the whole sky turns red, the water reflects the pink clouds above the horizon, Ba Khan Valley might become the best sample for what is called “twilight glow”.
What to do at Ba Khan Valley?
Kayaking
Rowing a boat in the middle of a peaceful lake and touching the cool water, sounds fun yes?
Go Lao waterfall bathing
Waterfall bathing is definitely more exciting than taking a bath in a room with only 3.3 square meters, and clearly, more “natural”.
A trip to Thung Khe pass
If you are a backpacking aficionado, taking a trip to Thung Khe Pass is a big yes! Oh wait, don’t forget to bring some snacks.
Camping
Building a campfire, grilling marshmallows, and chit-chatting, ah, typical kind of camping.
Where to stay when you visit Ba Khan Valley?
Ba Khan Village Resort
Bakhan Village Resort Hoa Binh is a 4-star resort located in Ba Khan commune, Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province. The resort is built on the side of the mountain, overlooking Mai Chau valley and Ba Khan (Hoa Binh) lake.
Mai Chau Hideaway Lake Resort
Maichau Hideaway Resort is an environmentally friendly resort in the Mai Chau district. It features a swimming pool, restaurant and bar, and a garden for guests to relax in.
Rooms have thatched roofs and wooden furniture, giving the rooms a rustic feel. All rooms have air conditioning, private terraces, and balconies. A mini fridge and kettle are also provided in the room. The private bathroom is equipped with a bathtub and shower.
These resorts would have all the food you need.
Local people’s homestay
In addition to the above accommodation addresses, visitors can rent a room at a homestay of local people in Mai Chau town or go to the tourist areas of Lac village, Van village, and Pom Coong village to rest and experience the life of local people.
When to visit Ba Khan Valley?
The short answer is ANYTIME.
The beauty of Ba Khan Valley varies by season. So if you want to take part in some summer activities, you should visit Ba Khan Valley in summer or autumn. If you love to see the peach blossom, then Winter or Spring it is.
How to get to Ba Khan Valley?
Bus
Moving from Hanoi would be a good start.
Public bus: If you take a bus from Hanoi, you can pick up the bus at Yen Nghia bus station or My Dinh bus station. For a popular bus route to Ba Khan - Hanoi - Son La, the ticket price is about 100,000 VND/person (price equal to stops along the way). After the car passes through the intersection of Phu Cuong market in Tan Lac district, continue through the market and stop at Thung Khe. Then you can take a taxi or motorbike taxi to Ba Khan, about 17 km. Remember: ask for the price first!
- Resort’s bus: All you have to do is find, contact, and book a resort in Ba Khan, then take the resort's shuttle to your destination.
Private vehicle
In case you want to drive on your own, you can hire cars or motorbikes, and download Google Maps. That’s simple!
Are you satisfied with what you just read? Why not explore the Ba Khan Valley in real life? Let's enjoy your vacation in Ba Khan Valley and create joyful moments during your journey to Vietnam.
