Ba Be Lake is vast and blue.

There are many breathtaking beauties that leave people in awe, and the sight of such scenery comes and goes quickly with the footsteps of tourists. But to be unforgettable, a place must evoke truly special emotions. For me, Ba Be is one such place...

Ba Be Lake is a lush green. Photo: Nguyen Trung

Sparkling amidst the vast forest

Ba Be Lake in Ba Be commune is likened to a "green gem" amidst the mountains and forests, a unique tourist destination attracting both domestic and international visitors. As if a gift from nature, Ba Be Lake always leaves a beautiful impression on visitors in any season. In spring, the lake bursts with life with its green mountains and clear blue waters; in summer, it offers a refreshing atmosphere with its "butterfly season"; winter brings a biting cold with its ethereal fog; and in autumn, Ba Be truly captivates travelers with its myriad of magical attractions.

Arriving at Ba Be Lake on a weekend, the boat dock was bustling with people from early morning. I was fortunate enough to travel on a boat with a group of tourists from Thai Nguyen and Cao Bang provinces . The group leader was Mr. Truong Van Thang, who said: "I'm from this province, so I've been to Ba Be Lake many times. This trip is a way for the company to show appreciation to its loyal customers, so I'm very proud to introduce the beautiful scenery of my hometown and contribute a small part to the province's tourism."

Today's boat trip is guided by two charming Tay girls. Amidst the crystal-clear lake, their sweet voices open the first door to this gem nestled in the mountains: Lake Ba Be, formed approximately 200 million years ago by major geological upheavals that caused the subsidence of limestone mountain ranges, creating a unique natural freshwater lake in the limestone mountains of Northeast Vietnam. It is considered the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam. In 1995, Lake Ba Be was recognized by the World Freshwater Lakes Conference held in the United States as one of the 20 exceptional freshwater lakes in the world that need protection. At the end of 2004, Ba Be National Park was recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park.

The motorboat began cutting through the waves, revealing a picturesque natural landscape of towering mountains and a mirror-like blue water. The boat gradually moved along the Năng River, heading towards the first attraction: Puông Cave. As the cave entrance appeared in the distance, a Tay girl proudly introduced it: "The beauty of Puông Cave will surely satisfy tourists who choose to visit Ba Bể Lake. Here you'll find stalactites and stalagmites in many unique shapes, and the falling water breaks the tranquil atmosphere inside the cave."

The boat stopped, and tourists followed the rocks, gradually entering the cave. The scenery of Puong Cave still retains its original pristine beauty, stimulating the desire to explore the mysteries of nature. Stepping inside, darkness gradually enveloped the area. Guided by the light of flashlights, visitors encountered many strangely shaped stalactites and stalagmites, rich in color and sparkling magically. Their reflections cast upon the water made the space shimmering. Inside the cave, there was also a considerable amount of moss growing and intertwining through the layers of soil.

Almost completely silent from the moment they entered the cave until they stood inside, quietly admiring the stalactites reflected in the Năng River, Mr. Trương Văn Thứ, a tourist in the group, shared: "The nature here is truly miraculous; everything belongs to nature, pristine and simple. And to fully appreciate the beauty, each visitor needs to concentrate, observing and feeling, while also having a perspective and a rich imagination. If so, each visit will be filled with curiosity. I hope that next time I come here, Puồng Cave will have a proper lighting system so that tourists can fully admire and enjoy the beauty of this place."

Bidding farewell to the enchanting stop, our boat continued downstream on the Năng River, traveling over 10km to a small village and preparing to reach Đầu Đẳng Waterfall. As soon as we disembarked, we were greeted by small roadside stalls run by the villagers. Here, visitors can't miss the beautifully presented and tempting grilled fish and shrimp skewers, caught and prepared by the locals themselves. Following the small path, visitors will immerse themselves in nature, approaching Đầu Đẳng Waterfall. Along the way, there are charming little wooden houses, each with its front yard overflowing with drying fish and shrimp, creating a familiar and tranquil atmosphere. The path is relatively narrow and long, so some locals offer to take visitors to the waterfall. However, walking and enjoying the mountain air remains the preferred choice for many tourists.

Dau Dang Waterfall appears with overwhelming grandeur. Amidst the peaceful and tranquil Ba Be Lake, the waterfall stands out as a captivating highlight due to its powerful natural force. As you approach, the sound of water crashing against the rocks becomes more distinct, sparking curiosity and a desire to explore the magnificent scenery ahead. The waterfall emerges from a vast expanse of greenery, rising over 50 meters, winding its way through limestone formations stacked like a labyrinth. It is divided into three sections: the first section features a powerful, meandering cascade; the second section splits into two parts, rushing down; and the third section is relatively calm and picturesque.

You may also like

Da Nang is determined to crack down on sidewalk encroachment.TPO - Authorities are determined to strictly penalize cases of deliberate violations and repeat offenses after being informed, reminded, and having signed commitments, in order to prevent any negative impact on Da Nang's tourism image.

Music 'paves the way' for tourism in the land of tea.According to Booking.com's Travel Trends 2025 report, up to 62% of Vietnamese travelers have traveled to attend a music event in 2024, and 38% consider this an important factor when choosing a destination. This shows that music is no longer just "accompanying" travel, but is directly guiding travelers' experiences.

“Empowering Knowledge – Building Digital Schools”: The Journey to “Illuminate” the Ba Be HighlandsOn December 21st, VietnamPlus Online Newspaper, in collaboration with Vietcombank Office and the Vietnam News Agency Youth Union, donated the Dinh Huu Du Bookcase, teaching and learning equipment, and scholarships to students in the mountainous Ba Be region.

Standing below the waterfall, the cascading white foam creates a breathtaking sight. From above, the sunlight pours down, making the foam sparkle and shimmer like thousands of hidden gems. Its beauty, a little wild and a little mystical, leaves visitors mesmerized. Stopping at a small shop above the Dau Dang waterfall, silently admiring the falls from above, Ms. Le Tuyet Mai, a tourist from Hanoi, shared: "The scenery here is so beautiful, truly a precious gift from nature. Besides, I also like the grilled fish and shrimp sold outside; the locals are very friendly, they don't pester tourists, and they politely invite you to buy their goods. I've returned to Ba Be Lake after more than 20 years, and it's still as beautiful as ever. However, I hope that more services will be invested in to retain tourists and make it a destination that many people will choose to return to."

Leaving the waterfall, the sun was high in the sky, and our group walked back to Mr. Hien's restaurant. We learned that the restaurant had been there for nearly 20 years, owned by an elderly couple, simple, friendly, and incredibly down-to-earth. The restaurant was crowded and noisy, with the owners constantly preparing and answering customers' questions. At the restaurant, tourists can choose their own large fish to grill, ensuring freshness and quality. The meal was presented with attractive dishes, reflecting the local character: grilled catfish; stir-fried dried buffalo meat with sour bamboo shoots; sour fish soup; stir-fried shrimp; fern salad; and stir-fried buffalo meat with ginger. After a long journey of exploration, everyone was delighted to enjoy their fragrant, delicious rice, ready for the next leg of our adventure…

Beloved land of fairy tales

Leaving Dau Dang Waterfall, the charming tour guide, with her captivating voice, lifted the visitors out of their midday fatigue and weariness with a delightful fairy tale about the next destination. “Once upon a time, there was a very kind woodcutter who earned his living by cutting wood. One day, he discovered a secret: a small pond hidden deep in the forest was where fairies often came to play chess, and when night fell, they would bathe in the pond. The woodcutter stole the clothes of the most beautiful fairy. After bathing, the fairies all put on their clothes and flew back to heaven, except for the youngest fairy, who couldn't find her clothes to return with her sisters. The woodcutter gave her a set of human clothes and proposed marriage. A few years later, they had a handsome baby boy. One night, the woodcutter saw his wife looking up at the sky sadly, so he gave her back her clothes. The fairy put on the clothes and flew back to heaven with her son. From then on, the woodcutter waited at the same pond every day, and that's how the pond came to be called Fairy Pond.”

Widow's Island is peaceful and picturesque.

After hearing the story, everyone eagerly boarded the boat to find the legendary Fairy Pond. Fairy Pond is circular, about 3 hectares wide, with crystal-clear water and moss-covered stone steps. It is surrounded by limestone mountains and the ancient forests of Ba Be National Park. The pond's surface is calm and crystal clear, like a mirror reflecting the clouds and sky. This is a popular spot for tourists to capture picturesque photographs…

Along the way, you'll encounter many stalls selling specialties of Ba Be, not only sour shrimp, rice cakes, grilled shrimp, crab, and fish, but also many traditional herbal remedies from the locals. Dressed in traditional Tay clothing, Dong Thi Huyen, slender and gentle like a fairy, shared: "I was born in 1996 in Khang Ninh. After working as a factory worker for a while, I came here and started selling goods. Most visitors praise the beauty of Tien Pond, but it's a bit sad. In recent years, many young people have come and taken very beautiful photos, so more tourists have stayed here longer. I and the other vendors here encourage each other to preserve the landscape and raise awareness of environmental protection…"

The boat continues gliding across Lake Ba Be, heading towards An Ma Island, an island about 30 meters above the lake's surface. The island is shaped like a horse wading in the water. The entire island is covered in greenery, and there is a bridge spanning the lake, a beautiful photo spot chosen by many tourists. Here, visitors can light incense at An Ma Temple, which, according to legend, is dedicated to the generals and soldiers of the Mac Dynasty who sacrificed themselves at Puong Cave during the Le-Mac War. The name An Ma Temple is in the Tay language, meaning "peaceful and beautiful grave."

Descending the time-worn steps, Ms. Hoang Thi Anh Nguyet, a tourist from Cao Bang province, said: "Coming to An Ma Temple, I and everyone in the group felt like we were stepping away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the worries and fatigue of daily life, to relax and immerse ourselves in nature. Our hearts felt calm, peaceful, and serene…"

The final destination on our journey across Ba Be Lake is Ba Goa Island, the birthplace of a childhood fairy tale. Legend says that one year, Nam Mau commune held a Buddhist festival, and the villagers flocked to see it. Among the crowd appeared an old beggar woman, her clothes tattered, her body thin and covered in sores, emitting a foul odor. She begged for food everywhere she went, but was shunned. She entered the village and met a widowed mother and her child. Seeing the pitiful plight of the old beggar, they took her into their home and gave her food. Moved by their kindness, the widowed mother and child gave her a packet of ashes, instructing her to scatter them around the house to ward off the coming flood. That very night, torrential rain caused widespread flooding, and a bright, luminous dragon appeared in the sky, circling Nam Mau commune. However, the small house at the end of the village, where the mother and child lived, remained intact as the water rose higher and higher. Heartbroken by the flood, the mother and child threw rice husks into the water to make two boats and went to rescue those in distress. Today, the small home of the kind mother and daughter is Widow Island, floating precariously in the vast expanse of water.

You may also like

Don Den – Bac Kan's new 'sky balcony' attracts young people to chase clouds.In recent years, Bac Kan has not only been known for the picturesque Ba Be Lake but has also attracted attention with a new destination that is making adventurous young people "restless": Don Den Peak, located in Don Den village, Ba Be commune.

Knocking on the door of the fairytale land of Thai NguyenA fairytale land lies in the heart of the Northeast, where towering limestone mountains embrace the emerald-eyed Ba Be Lake. This largest natural freshwater body in the North is now part of Thai Nguyen province, carrying with it a magnificent natural heritage and a profound indigenous culture. This isn't just a story of nature; it's a story of people—the Tay and Dao people who for generations have relied on the mountains and the lake to create the vibrant tapestry of Ba Be Lake...

Rescuers assist German tourist who broke his leg while solo hiking in the mountains of Da Nang.TPO - A German tourist broke his leg while hiking alone in the Hoc Chanh mountain area (Duy Xuyen commune, Da Nang city). Upon receiving the report, more than 20 officers and soldiers, along with local forces, braved the treacherous terrain to quickly reach the scene and bring the victim down the mountain safely.

Amidst the vast, verdant lake, Widow Island rises proudly, as beautiful as a painting. Here, trees remain lush and green year-round, their roots intertwining and spreading from the rocky outcrops, strong and resilient. As the final destination of our journey, as evening approached, we stopped at Widow Island and enjoyed some relaxing moments. Visitors had the opportunity to swim in the lake and, especially, to kayak to fully explore the natural beauty.

Mr. Trinh Dinh Khanh, a tour guide at the Ethnic Minority Tourism Company in Hanoi, shared: "Today, I led a group of British and Dutch tourists to Ba Be Lake. Everyone praised its stunning beauty; they loved everything about this place. Having guided tourists for over 20 years, I've had the opportunity to welcome many foreign visitors who return to experience and immerse themselves in nature. Not only are they overwhelmed by the natural beauty, the mountains, forests, and rivers, but foreign tourists are also particularly impressed by the people here. Everyone is friendly, always smiling, and cooks delicious food with dishes that reflect the unique flavors of the mountains and forests, such as grilled meat, fish cooked with sour bamboo shoots, and sausages… Especially recently, a kayaking service has been added, which is very interesting and unique."

As the sun set, after nearly six hours of sailing on the water and exploring the tourist attractions around Ba Be Lake, we were deeply impressed and proud of the priceless gift nature has bestowed upon our homeland. Tonight, at the bustling homestays, bonfires will blaze, sweet dances and folk songs will be sung, fragrant wine will be poured, and smiles will light up in everyone's eyes…

We invite you to visit and discover more of the beauty of Ba Be Lake, a green gem that never ceases to offer surprises and delights.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-nghe-thai-nguyen/202606/ba-be-bat-ngat-xanh-2063ad2/