Travel Experience to Ba Be Lake, Bac Kan: A Complete Guide from A to Z

Travel Experience to Ba Be Lake, Bac Kan: A Complete Guide from A to Z

Ba Be Lake is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in Vietnam and a destination with pristine, majestic beauty located in Bac Kan province. As a green gem amidst the vast Northeast mountains, Ba Be Lake attracts visitors not only for its stunning natural landscapes but also for the unique culture of the local ethnic minorities. Let's explore the journey with NVK Travel to Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan through the article below!

Overview of Ba Be Lake

Ba Be Lake is located in Ba Be National Park, in the territory of Nam Mau commune, Ba Be district, Bac Kan province, about 240km north of Hanoi. At an altitude of 178m above sea level, Ba Be Lake was formed about 200 million years ago, covering an area of approximately 500ha with a length of 8km, a width of 2km, and an average depth of 20-25m.

Ba Be Lake is located in Ba Be National Park

Ba Be Lake is located in Ba Be National Park

>>> See more: Bac Kan Travel 2 Days 1 Night - Explore the Heritage Land

The name "Ba Be" comes from the fact that the lake is divided into 3 parts: Be Pe Lam, Be Pe Lu, and Be Pe Leng. In 1995, Ba Be Lake was recognized by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) as one of the 16 special freshwater lakes in the world that need protection.

The ideal time to travel to Ba Be Lake

Ba Be Lake can be visited year-round, but each season brings a different beauty:

  • Spring (February-April): Warm weather, fresh scenery with blooming wildflowers, especially during the Tet holiday with many traditional festivals.
  • Summer (May-August): Suitable for water activities such as swimming and kayaking. This is also the time of the Pung Bang festival (in the 6th lunar month) with many unique cultural activities.
  • Autumn (September-November): Cool, pleasant weather, with changing scenery featuring the yellow of the forest leaves.
  • Winter (December-January): Fog covers the lake's surface, creating a mystical and poetic beauty.

According to experience, the best time to travel to Ba Be Lake is from September to November, when the weather is cool, there is little rain, and the natural scenery is stunning.

Visit Ba Be Lake year-round

Visit Ba Be Lake year-round

>>> See more: Ba Be Lake - Beautiful Scenic Spot in Bac Kan

Transportation to Ba Be Lake

From Hanoi to Bac Kan

By bus:

  • My Dinh or Gia Lam bus stations have many buses to Bac Kan, with a travel time of about 4-5 hours, ticket prices range from 150,000 - 200,000 VND/person.
  • Reputable bus companies: Hai Van, Phuong Trang, Sao Viet...

By motorbike:

  • Route: Hanoi - Thai Nguyen - Bac Kan - Ba Be
  • Time: about 6-7 hours by bike, distance approximately 240km

By private car:

  • Route: Hanoi - Hanoi - Thai Nguyen Expressway - QL3 - Bac Kan - Ba Be
  • Time: about 4-5 hours

From Bac Kan to Ba Be Lake

  • You can rent a motorbike, hire a motorbike taxi, or take a taxi from Bac Kan city to Ba Be Lake, a distance of about 70km.
  • Motorbike rental price: 150,000 - 200,000 VND/day
  • Taxi price: about 600,000 - 800,000 VND/trip

Must-visit places when coming to Ba Be Lake

1. Ba Goa Island (An Ma)

Located in the middle of Ba Be Lake, Ba Goa Island is also known as An Ma (Yen Nga), shaped like a horse resting. The island is associated with the legend of a woman waiting for her husband who never returned and turned to stone, becoming the island. This is an ideal spot for taking souvenir photos with the clear lake scenery.

2. Puong Cave

Puong Cave is a karst cave located at the end of the Nang stream, about 300m long, 30m wide, and 50m high. The special feature of Puong Cave is that it is home to thousands of bats, creating a unique ecosystem. When visiting, tourists can take a boat through the cave and admire the stalactites with many strange shapes.

Puong Cave is a karst cave located at the end of the Nang stream

Puong Cave is a karst cave located at the end of the Nang stream

3. Dau Dang Waterfall

Dau Dang Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Ba Be area, located on the Nang stream, about 50m high. The waterfall cascades down from the rocky cliffs, creating a melodious sound that blends with the sounds of forest birds, forming a wonderful natural symphony.

4. Tham Khit Cave

Tham Khit Cave is located at the foot of a limestone mountain, about 10m above the water surface, with a length of 200m. Inside the cave, there are many stalactites with fascinating shapes. This is also home to many species of bats and endemic insects.

5. Tien Pond

Tien Pond is part of Ba Be Lake, located not far from An Ma Island. According to legend, this is where the fairies often come to bathe. The water here is crystal clear, calm as a mirror, surrounded by majestic limestone mountain ranges.

6. Pac Ngoi Ethnic Village

Pac Ngoi Village is a Tay ethnic village located by Ba Be Lake, about 2km from the center of Ba Be National Park. Here, visitors can learn about the culture and customs of the Tay people, enjoy local specialties, and experience the life of the local residents.

Must-try experience activities

1. Boat ride on Ba Be Lake

This is a "must-do" activity when visiting Ba Be. Tourists will sit on wooden boats rowed by local people, weaving through islands, enjoying the stunning natural scenery of the lake and the surrounding limestone mountains.

  • Boat rental price: 300,000 - 500,000 VND/boat (depending on the route and time)
  • Duration: 2-3 hours for a basic round of the lake

2. Kayaking

If you love adventure and being active, tourists can rent kayaks to explore Ba Be Lake on their own. This activity is especially enjoyable in the early morning when the lake is still calm and shrouded in mist.

  • Kayak rental price: 100,000 - 150,000 VND/hour
  • Location: Ba Be Lake Tourism Center

3. Trekking in the pristine forest

Ba Be National Park has many trekking routes with varying levels of difficulty, from easy to hard. Tourists can choose short walking routes like to Dau Dang Waterfall (2km) or longer routes to explore deeper into the pristine forest (5-10km).

  • Local guide rental price: 300,000 - 500,000 VND/day
  • Note: Wear sports shoes, bring drinking water and insect repellent
You can trek in the primeval forest

You can trek in the pristine forest

4. Homestay in ethnic villages

Experience the life of local people by staying at homestays in the Tay and Nung ethnic villages such as Pac Ngoi and Coc Toc. Tourists will stay in traditional stilt houses, enjoy local specialties, and participate in cultural activities like bamboo dancing and Then singing.

  • Homestay price: 150,000 - 300,000 VND/person/night (including breakfast)
  • Popular locations: Pac Ngoi Homestay, Coc Toc Homestay

5. Fishing at Ba Be Lake

Ba Be Lake has many specialty fish such as Anh Vu fish, Lang fish, and Chien fish... Tourists can rent boats and fishing gear to experience this exciting sport.

  • Fishing boat rental price: 200,000 - 300,000 VND/half day
  • Best time: Early morning or late afternoon

Must-try local cuisine

1. Grilled fish over charcoal

Fish caught directly from Ba Be Lake, grilled over charcoal with the typical spices of the Tay people. The fish meat is delicious, firm, and has no fishy smell.

  • Reference price: 150,000 - 200,000 VND/plate
  • Location: Restaurants and homestays around Ba Be Lake

2. Cap Nach pork

This is a local breed of pig raised in the wild, with fragrant and firm meat. The pork is prepared in many dishes such as grilled pork, steamed pork, and pork hot pot...

  • Reference price: 150,000 - 200,000 VND/plate
  • Delicious dish: Grilled pork with Mac Mat leaves

3. Ba Be corn wine

Ba Be corn wine is made from local corn, with a distinctive flavor and moderate alcohol content. This traditional drink is a must-have in cultural exchanges with local people.

  • Reference price: 50,000 - 100,000 VND/bottle
  • Note: Drink in moderation to ensure health

4. Pac Ngoi village rice rolls

Rice rolls here are made from glutinous rice, minced meat, and shiitake mushrooms, with a distinctive flavor that cannot be confused with rice rolls from other places.

  • Reference price: 30,000 - 50,000 VND/plate
  • Location: Eateries in Pac Ngoi village

5. Lam rice

Lam rice is glutinous rice put into young bamboo tubes and grilled over charcoal. The rice has the aroma of bamboo and a natural sweetness, often served with grilled meat, sesame salt, or peanut salt.

  • Reference price: 30,000 - 50,000 VND/tube
  • Location: Homestays and local eateries
Enjoy the specialty of lam rice

Enjoy the specialty lam rice

Accommodation at Ba Be Lake

1. Homestay in ethnic villages

  • Pac Ngoi Homestay: Located in the Tay ethnic village, about 2km from Ba Be Lake, price from 150,000 - 300,000 VND/person/night.
  • Coc Toc Homestay: Located by Ba Be Lake, price from 200,000 - 350,000 VND/person/night.
  • Mr. Linh Homestay: One of the best service homestays in the area, price from 300,000 - 500,000 VND/person/night.

2. Hotels and guesthouses

  • Ba Be Lake View Hotel: A 3-star hotel with a view of the lake, prices from 700,000 - 1,200,000 VND/night.
  • Sinh Thai Ba Be Guesthouse: Prices from 400,000 - 600,000 VND/night.
  • Ba Be Riverside Resort: A 4-star resort with full amenities, prices from 1,200,000 - 2,000,000 VND/night.

3. Camping

Ba Be National Park has some areas that allow camping, but permission must be obtained in advance and environmental protection regulations must be followed.

  • Tent rental price: 150,000 - 200,000 VND/tent/night
  • Camping fee: 50,000 - 100,000 VND/person/night

Costs for traveling to Ba Be Lake

Average cost for a 2-day 1-night trip:

  • Transportation Hanoi - Ba Be (round trip): 300,000 - 400,000 VND/person
  • Accommodation: 200,000 - 1,000,000 VND/person/night (depending on type)
  • Food: 150,000 - 250,000 VND/person/day
  • Entrance fee: 60,000 VND/person (entrance to Ba Be National Park)
  • Boat rental on the lake: 300,000 - 500,000 VND/boat (6-8 people)
  • Other costs (hiring a guide, buying souvenirs...): 200,000 - 500,000 VND/person

Estimated total cost: 1,000,000 - 2,500,000 VND/person for 2 days 1 night.

Notes when traveling to Ba Be Lake

  • Bring insect repellent: The Ba Be Lake area and the primeval forest have many mosquitoes and insects, especially in summer.
  • Prepare suitable clothing: Bring cool clothes for summer, warm clothes for winter, and raincoats for unexpected rainy days.
  • Respect local culture: When visiting ethnic villages, it is important to respect customs and not take photos without permission.
  • Protect the environment: Do not litter, do not pick flowers or break branches in Ba Be National Park.
  • Book services in advance: It is advisable to book rooms and services in advance, especially during peak season (April-August) to ensure accommodation and the best services.
  • Bring cash: The Ba Be Lake area is quite far from the center, with few ATMs and many places do not accept card payments.
  • Check the weather: It is advisable to check the weather forecast before going to plan accordingly.
Be aware of mosquitoes and insects, especially in summer when visiting Ba Be Lake.

Be aware of mosquitoes and insects, especially in summer when visiting Ba Be Lake

Tour packages to Ba Be Lake from NVK Travel

NVK Travel proudly introduces high-quality tour packages to Ba Be Lake, specially designed to provide an excellent experience for travelers:

1. Ba Be Tour 2 days 1 night

  • Price: 1,590,000 VND/person
  • Itinerary: Hanoi - Bac Kan - Ba Be Lake - Puong Cave - An Ma Island - Hanoi
  • Includes: Pick-up and drop-off, tour guide, entrance fees, 1 night homestay, 3 main meals, 1 breakfast, boat ride on the lake

2. Ba Be - Cao Bang Tour 3 days 2 nights

  • Price: 2,590,000 VND/person
  • Itinerary: Hanoi - Bac Kan - Ba Be Lake - Puong Cave - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Ngao Cave - Hanoi
  • Includes: Pick-up and drop-off, tour guide, entrance fees, 2 nights homestay/hotel, 5 main meals, 2 breakfasts, boat ride on the lake

3. Ba Be - Cao Bang - Ha Giang Tour 5 days 4 nights

  • Price: 4,590,000 VND/person
  • Itinerary: Hanoi - Bac Kan - Ba Be Lake - Cao Bang - Ha Giang - Meo Vac - Dong Van - Hanoi
  • Includes: Pick-up and drop-off, tour guide, entrance fees, 4 nights homestay/hotel, 9 main meals, 4 breakfasts, boat ride on the lake

Ba Be Lake is a wonderful destination for those who love nature and want to learn about the culture of ethnic minorities in Vietnam. With the pristine, majestic beauty of the natural landscape along with the unique culture of the ethnic minorities, Ba Be Lake will surely provide travelers with unforgettable experiences.

Come to NVK Travel for consultation and to book a tour to Ba Be Lake Bac Kan with high-quality services, reasonable prices, and attractive itineraries. We are committed to providing you with experiences traveling to Bac Kan in particular and other attractive destinations across Vietnam in general.