Ba Be National Park

There is a huge amount to explore here, with a vast variety of flora and fauna, as well as interesting geology and landscapes to discover. The vegetation in Ba Bể National Park mainly consists of limestone and evergreen forest.  Ba Be Lake is located in the centre of Ba Be National Park, 70km southeast of Bac Kan city. As known as the Ha Long Bay miniature, Ba Be lake is one of the biggest fresh water lake in Vietnam. The lake bed is made up of limestone with millions of crags and crevasses that are ideal for a large variety of marine life - there are over a hundred of species of freshwater fish in the lakes. It spanning over 500ha with 8km long, and 2km wide at its widest spot. Ba Be referring to the three parts of lake: Pe Leng, Pe Lu and Pe Lam. It is sitting at 150 meters above sea level.

There are beautiful small islands on the lake and hundreds of freshwater fish. Ba Be lake also has a fantastic collection of caves just waiting to be explored. Puong cave is one of the most impressive caves in Ba Be lake. Puong Cave is hight  30m and length of 300m is an interesting place in Ba Be National Park that tourists should visit. Puong Cave is located in the Nang River of Ba Be district, Bac Kan province. It is about 5km from the Cha Ra town.

The Puong Cave attracts visitors with its strange and unique stalactites and the bat community of ten thousand. The Nang River flows under the limestone among the vertical cliffs of Lung Nham Mountain that is Puong cave. The small boat floats in the cave with the ethereal lights. Beside this magical scene with color and sound of water and light, visitors would be fascinated by the strange stalactites in the gate of the cave. There is a community of bat inside the cave with the number of tens of thousands. On the east north of Ba Be Lake, in the hillside of the Lung Nham range, Puong cave is one of the favored destination with the height of 50m. It creates a splendid entrance with the Nang river flows for 300m through the cave, which creates one of the most magnificent limestone landscapes of Ba Be national park. The cave is the residence of many night creatures. Typically, there are 18 types of bats with the amount of thousands, which covers the vast number of national park of Ba Be.

A short journey from Ba Be Lake, approximately 3km away, are the sublime Dau Dang Waterfalls. This 1km stretch of rapids is located at the point where the Nang River enters Tuyen Quang Province. Large boulders topped with erratic plantlife block the Nang River creating a flowing cascade. Here the water turns from green to white as it crashes off the rocks. This area also has magical origins as it is believed that a giant discarded the stones here after he hollowed out Puong Cave. As well as the waterfalls, you may also have the chance to spot the rare Ca Chien fish that inhabit the waters, some of which can grow up to 10kg in size. Another extraordinary cave is Hua Ma Cave, which is not only stunningly beautiful but also has a haunting and fascinating back story.

Local people named the cave Hua Ma, meaning horses head because of the legend that precedes it. For many years this haunting tale kept many local people away, but now, those brave enough to enter the cave will be rewarded with stunning views of rock formations. Recently, developments to the cave have made more easily accessible and the 300 m climb to the entrance is well worth the effort. As you ascend into the dark recesses of the cave you are met with an otherworldly  melee of stalactites and stalagmites which appear to morph into different objects as you pass by. Silver waterfall is a multi-layer natural waterfall, the base forming small lakes with areas of from 100 to 200 m, thus creating beautiful natural beaches. Highlights of Ba Be National Park are peaceful boat trips on the lake, visits at nearby tourist spots such as Puong Cave and Dau Dang Waterfall and trekking to minority villages. Basic homestay at villages in the park is also a great experience. Ba Be is considered by both native Vietnamese and visitors to be the best trekking area in the country. The whole district is dominated by the Pia Booc mountain range rising to a height of 1527m. It is the combination of the scenery, from the karst outcrops clad in rich vegetation, to the paddy fields carpeting the lower slopes of the Na Nghe mountains; the rich variety of flora and fauna; and the relationship between the ethnic minority and nature, which together make this a unique and rewarding trekking location.

Ba Be is great for exploring by bicycle.The main roads around the national park are mostly in good condition and don't see much traffic. One day around the park should enable you to visit the Hua Ma cave, Thac Bac waterfall and some villages. Car hire and motorbike taxis can also be arranged in Ba Be. You need to wear suitable clothes; T shirt and shorts and swimming suits in summer, warmer clothes in winter, and you should also bring wet shoes, a hat, sun cream, sun glasses, a dry bag for storing cameras etc., insect repellent, and water. We hope you will have an amazing trip to Ba Be National Park.