Ba Be Lake: The Biggest Natural Lake in Vietnam

Ba Be is the biggest natural lake in Vietnam, sitting in a national park of forest and limestone hills. It is quiet. Most visitors are Vietnamese, and the villages around the lake are still farming villages.

What you can do

• Take a boat on the lake Half day trips go across the lake, into caves and to small waterfalls.
• Stay with a Tay family Homestays in stilt houses around the lake. Simple and friendly.
• Visit Puong cave The river runs straight through a limestone hill. Boats go inside.
• Walk in the forest Paths lead up from the lake into the national park.

Good to know

• There is little to do at night. Bring a book.
• The road in is winding. People who get carsick should sit in front.
• Best weather is September to November.

Where it is

• Region: Thai Nguyen province (formerly Bac Kan)
• From Hanoi: about 5 to 6 hours
• From Cao Bang: about 4 hours
• From Ha Giang: about 6 hours
• Coordinates: 22.41578, 105.60790
• Map: Open in Google Maps

How to fit it into your trip

Two nights is right. It combines well with Cao Bang and Ban Gioc waterfall, making a loop through the northeast.

Travelling around North Vietnam is easiest with your own driver. We arrange cars and drivers for trips like this.

Getting there: see Hanoi to Ba Be and Cao Bang, or let us plan your whole trip, airport to airport.

Photo: Morgan Baudusseau morganbaudusseau, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.