Ba Be, the biggest mountain lake in Vietnam

Located in Ba Be National Park in Bac Kan province, Ba Be Lake is Vietnam’s largest and one of the world’s 100 largest fresh water lakes. It embodies unique geological features and rich biodiversity.

Ba Be Lake is also called “Slam Pe” by the locals, which means three lakes. The lakes are connected with one another. According to geologists, the lake sits 145 meters above sea level and was formed more than 200 million years ago. It’s surrounded by limestone mountains which are more than 450 million years old.  Much of the limestone in the region has been transformed into granite. 

Ba Be Lake was recognized as one of 20 fresh water lakes in need of protection at a conference held in the US in 1995. In 2011, UNESCO recognized Ba Be Lake as a Ramsar Site, the third wetland of international importance in Vietnam. The water level in Ba Be lake changes between rainy and dry seasons. 

Au Dinh Huong, who operates a canoe for hire on Ba Be Lake, says “The water in Ba Be Lake is green all year long. Leaves fall on the lake surface and then sink turning the water green. The lake becomes a little muddy during the flood season but it turns green again a few days later.”

Visitors to the lake can hire a local dug-out canoe to go around the lake to admire its beautiful scenery, magnificent cave and upstream waterfalls. A motorboat is another popular choice. 

Mr. Huong said “All visitors praise the beauty of the lake. They say it’s pleasant to sit on a boat travelling around the lake, which takes about 1.5 hours. To visit all the scenic spots in this area takes 4 to 5 hours. The lake is 9km long and 1km wide.”

In the middle of the lake are two islets called An Ma and Ba Goa (Widow). Around the lake are Ao Tien (Fairy Pond), Po Ga Mai (Hen) islet, Puong cave, and Dau Dang waterfall. Ba Be lake is the habitat of more than 50 species of fresh water fish and many rare and precious flora species that are included in the Vietnam Red Book. 

Ms Ma Thi Thinh, a Tay ethnic local said “There are fish, shrimp, oysters, and mussels. The tiny shrimps are in the lake all year. Visitors always buy them. They are 170,000 VND per kilo. Here, we also sell such local specialties as cakes, glutinous rice cakes, mushrooms, wood-ears, and rice noodles.”.

Ba Be lake is beautiful all year round but we recommend you visit the lake in spring, summer, or early autumn. The place is wonderfully relaxing and picturesque. Tourists will soon forget their daily sitting in the shade of ancient trees watching canoes ply green waters of the lake. It’s a pure moment of happiness where time seems to stand still.

VOV5

Other News

Vietnam secure berth at FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for first time

Vietnam secure berth at FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for first time

Vietnam national U17 football team secured a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for the first time after defeating United Arab Emirates national U17 football team 3-2 on in the final Group C match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia on early May 14 (Vietnam time).

Vietnam’s most beautiful railway station twins with French counterpart

Vietnam’s most beautiful railway station twins with French counterpart

A twinning agreement between Da Lat Railway Station in Vietnam and Trouville-Deauville Railway Station in France was signed at the French Embassy in Vietnam on May 7, creating new opportunities for cooperation in station management and operations, as well as cultural and tourism promotion between the two sides.

Hanoi gains two more craft villages in World Crafts Cities network

Hanoi gains two more craft villages in World Crafts Cities network

The recognition of Chuyen My and Son Dong craft villages as members of the World Crafts Cities network represents international acknowledgement of the cultural value, artisanal techniques, creativity and sustainable vitality of Vietnam’s traditional craft villages, he said.

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2026 to return in September

Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2026 to return in September

Co-hosted by the municipal People’s Committee, the Department of Culture and Sports, and domestic and foreign agencies, the whole spectacle is meant to honour the city’s millennia-old heritage while reafffirming its strategy of establishing culture as a development engine.

Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity in digital space

Spreading Vietnamese cultural identity in digital space

In the context of deep international integration, cultural identity serves as both a “shield” against assimilation and a defining marker of a nation’s image. Protecting and promoting uniquely Vietnamese cultural values has therefore become a pressing task, particularly in an increasingly complex digital environment.

ITE HCMC 2026 to promote Vietnam’s tourism on global map

ITE HCMC 2026 to promote Vietnam’s tourism on global map

With its large scale, the ITE HCMC 2026 aims to promote tourism cooperation between Vietnam and priority markets such as Northeast Asia, Western Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania while also boosting visitor arrivals from the Indian market

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

Vietnamese puppetry seeks renewal amid preservation challenges

Although widely regarded as a cultural “speciality” attracting tourists, Vietnamese puppetry is facing multiple challenges in preservation and development, requiring renewed efforts to both safeguard its identity and adapt to contemporary cultural currents.

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

Project on digital transformation in cultural sector approved

By 2030, the project targets the establishment of shared digital platforms across 100% of cultural sectors. All digitised cultural heritage will be standardised under the national data framework and shared in accordance with regulations, while 80% of public digital heritage assets are expected to receive digital identifiers to clarify ownership and management, encouraging organisations and individuals to do the same and support market development.

Vietnam eyes becoming region’s leading tourism destination

Vietnam eyes becoming region’s leading tourism destination

Vietnam has in recent years undergone a notable transformation in its tourism development strategy, placing a strong emphasis on nature-based and eco-tourism. This shift is not merely aligned with global trends, but represents a necessary step towards safeguarding valuable natural resources, while appealing to a growing segment of environmentally conscious travellers.