Tay village by Ba Be Lake becomes an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists

Nestled on the mountainside beside Lake Ba Be, Pac Ngoi village (Ba Be commune, Thai Nguyen province) has long been known as a "living museum" of the Tay ethnic group. Not only does it possess rare, pristine landscapes, but this small village also preserves almost entirely its traditional architecture, lifestyle, and culture, making it a prominent destination on the community tourism map of the Northeast region.

Pac Ngoi currently has about 90 households, of which more than 30 households open homestay services to serve tourists. The ancient stilt houses with yin-yang tile roofs and palm-leaf roofs are arranged in regular layers close together along the mountainside, with a clear blue lake in front and towering limestone mountains behind. The cool, fresh climate all year round makes this place an ideal stopover for those who want to get away from the city to find a peaceful life.

Tourism in Pac Ngoi is more than just accommodation. Every visitor has the opportunity to immerse themselves in the lives of the locals: wearing traditional clothing, following the host family to cast nets, rowing boats on Ba Be Lake, harvesting wild vegetables, or learning to pound sticky rice cakes—a traditional cake with a distinctive purple color from the leaves of the Tay people. Many international tourists enjoy cycling along the lake's winding roads, breathing in the fresh air and admiring the picturesque mountain scenery.

Tourists experience traditional cuisine with the locals in Pac Ngoi.

Tourists enthusiastically participate in the bamboo pole dance – a characteristic cultural activity of the Tay ethnic group in Ba Be.

International tourists interact and enjoy Tay cultural space at Ba Be Hada homestay in Pac Ngoi village, Ba Be commune.

“We have 7 rooms, designed in a traditional style, along with dining services and boat rentals for exploring Ba Be Lake. Tourists really enjoy the experience of taking a boat ride at sunrise and cycling around the lake,” shared Ms. Hua Thi Tham, owner of Ngoc Trinh Homestay.

According to Mr. Luc Huy Chung, owner of Ba Be Hada Homestay (Pac Ngoi village), all the villagers are well aware that tourism development must be linked to cultural preservation. "We always welcome tourists from near and far to experience local life. Tourism helps the people earn extra income while still preserving the unique identity of the Tay people here," Mr. Chung said.

Tay artisans perform the Tinh lute on a boat, bringing a unique cultural experience to tourists on Ba Be Lake.

Besides its beautiful scenery and unique way of life, Pac Ngoi also attracts tourists with its folk art performances by Tay men and women. In the cozy atmosphere of a stilt house, the melodious sounds of the zither and the smooth, flowing folk songs transport listeners to the mythical cultural realm of the Viet Bac region.

In the evening, visitors gather around the fire, enjoy grilled fish and rice, wild bamboo shoots, five-color sticky rice and a cup of fragrant corn wine, an experience imbued with local character.

Mr. Hoang Van Chuyen, the owner of a homestay in the village, shared that his family used to rely mainly on farming for their livelihood. "Since starting the homestay, our income has become more stable, and our children have better opportunities for education. The more we develop tourism, the more we realize the need to preserve our stilt houses, the sound of the zither, and the traditional folk songs to attract visitors," Mr. Chuyen said.

Tourist boats take visitors to visit Ba Be Lake - the largest and famous natural freshwater lake in the North.

Visitors explore the ecosystem and scenic spots around the lake.

Local people rowing boats on Ba Be Lake - a typical image of life in the mountainous region of Ba Be.

In addition to homestays, water transport services have also become an important source of income. Many households take part in taking tourists around the lake by boat or motorboat. Ms. Kieu Anh, a tour guide and Tay ethnic singer, said that during the peak season, she leads groups and performs Then for tourists. "Having a source of income, life has also improved a lot," Ms. Kieu Anh shared.

According to the law on preserving national culture: Cultural preservation must be linked to tourism development to become a driving force in improving the material and spiritual lives of the people. When cultural values ​​are transformed into economic benefits through tourism, preservation becomes not only more sustainable but also spreads strongly to the community and domestic and international tourists.

The perfect blend of the calm lake, limestone mountains and traditional villages creates a unique landscape that not many places have. In the morning, the early morning mist covers the lake surface, the sunlight reflects to create a hazy light. This is the ideal time for visitors to take a boat along the lake shore, exploring the famous tourist attractions of the area.

In the afternoon, when the sunset turns the water red, Pac Ngoi has a rare lyrical beauty, enough to make anyone want to stay longer.

Ba Be Hada homestay is a place where many tourists come to relax and have fun.

Traditional homestay models.

Within the ecotourism landscape of Thai Nguyen province, Pac Ngoi is identified as one of the key highlights, connecting Ba Be Lake with the tourism ecosystem of the Northeast region. Tourism development here is oriented towards sustainability, respecting local culture, and creating stable livelihoods for the people. Traditional yet comfortable homestay models, cultural experiences, and boat tours are helping Pac Ngoi become increasingly well-known to both domestic and international tourists.

Pac Ngoi is a testament to the harmonious combination of heritage preservation and economic development. Locals have increased their income while also gaining motivation to preserve the unique cultural values ​​of the Tay ethnic group. In the context of growing emphasis on ecotourism and cultural tourism, this small village on the shores of Ba Be Lake plays a crucial role in promoting the image of a friendly, rustic, and culturally rich local community.

With its unique landscape, profound Tay culture and slow pace of life, Pac Ngoi is not only a place to visit but also a place to relax and feel the beauty of nature and people of Viet Bac. Every experience here, from Then singing, a rustic meal to a moment of relaxation on the peaceful lake, brings a warm and genuine feeling. Pac Ngoi is a worthy destination not to be missed in the journey to explore the Northeast region of Vietnam.

The integration of cultural heritage preservation with tourism development has been clearly defined in many major policies, such as Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW (2017) on developing tourism into a key economic sector or Project No. 6 under the National Target Program for socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous regions.

These policies create an important framework for localities to restore, preserve, and promote traditional cultural values, while integrating culture into tourism activities, especially community tourism, creating livelihoods and improving the lives of the people.

This article was commissioned by the Legal Department, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/anh/ban-tay-ben-ho-ba-be-thanh-diem-den-hut-khach-trong-nuoc-va-quoc-te-20251209202339103.htm