Ba Be National Park Travel Guide

If you seek a place of cultural authenticity and natural tranquility, you need to look no further. Ba Be is a tropical forest and natural freshwater lake in Northern Vietnam which can be truly inspirational. You will discover the natural jungle and karst scenery, explore the river, the lake and its caves. It is the home of many ethnic minorities enabling you to appreciate indigenous culture, including the local food and if you're lucky the community vat of wine

Ba Be National Park was established in 1992 as Vietnam’s eighth national park and far 250 km away from Hanoi and 70 km away from Bac Kan's center.Covering an area of 23,240 ha, the national park is home to 417 types of flora and 299 types of fauna. There are a plenty of precious and endangered species that inhabit in this region

There are 13 tribal villages in the Ba Be region, with most belonging to the Tay minority, who live in stilt homes, plus smaller numbers of Dzao and H’mong. A village homestay program is now well established, allowing travelers to experience life in a tribal village.

Coming here visitors can not only enjoy the charisma of nature but also know many traditional and scientific values of this natural park

The best time to visit Ba Be Lake and National Park

Traveling during the dry season (winter and spring from Nov- Feb) is a good choice. Coming here this time, you will have a chance to enjoy Long Tong Festival on the 10th and 11th days of the first lunar month, there are traditional games and performance of surrounding ethnic tribal groups.

Things to do in Ba Be National Park

The main activities for visitors are boat trips to visit caves, waterfalls, and minority villages, with the added bonus of seeing at least a few of the 220 animal, 417 plant and 49 fish species recorded here.

Trekking & Hiking: Ba Be is considered by both native Vietnamese and visitors to be the best trekking area in the country
Kayaking: is the best way to explore the breathtaking beauty of Ba Be Lake. Paddle through the islets, discover hidden caves, visit fishing villages
Cycling: is a great choice for exploring Ba Be National Park. The main roads around the national park are mostly in good condition and don't see much traffic
Homestay: have an experience about ethnic minority’s lifestyle and Mr. Linh's Homestay, Bo Lu village, Bac Kan are some example which is very easy to find on shore lake

Ba Be's local food

Local specialty is another reason making tourist stay longer and want to come back Ba Be with boiled chayote cooked with sesame or 'lon cap nach' which are home pigs raised in the field or forest or barbecued meat and fish and a huge variety of vegetables, together with dumplings, bamboo tube rice

Entrance fee

The park entrance fee is payable at a checkpoint on the road into the park, about 15km before the park headquarters, just beyond the town of Cho Ra and about VND 20,000/ Per ticket ~ $ 1

Related readings: Bac Can Travel Guide and don't forget check and apply for Vietnam visa before your trip to Vietnam