Experience Ba Be National Park - A to Z Travel Guide

Experience Ba Be National Park - A to Z Travel Guide

Ba Be National Park is located in Ba Be District, Bac Kan Province, covering more than 7,610ha of core area and about 42,000ha of buffer zone. This place is becoming an attractive tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors. With a diverse ecosystem ranging from pristine forests, majestic waterfalls to rare animal and plant species. Let NVK Travel update you with a detailed travel map, directions, accommodation options, and safe experience activities for tourists.

Geographical information overview about Ba Be National Park

Ba Be National Park is one of the important nature reserves in Vietnam. It is home to the largest natural freshwater lake in the country, with an area of about 500ha, over 8km long, the widest part nearly 2km, and a depth of up to 35m. The lake is divided into three parts: Pe Lam, Pe Lu, and Pe Leng, creating the name Ba Be. In 1995, Ba Be Lake was recognized as one of the 20 special freshwater lakes in the world that need to be preserved.

The core area of Ba Be National Park is 7,610ha and the buffer zone is 42,000ha. This area consists of four functional subdivisions: central rocky mountain forest, habitat for rare animals, ecological restoration area, and a specialized area for scientific research. The ecosystem of Ba Be National Park is very diverse, with 650 plant species and 412 animal species, many of which are rare and listed in the Vietnam Red Book.

In addition to its biological value, this place also boasts many famous scenic spots such as Na Phoong Cave, Ao Tien, Dau Dang Waterfall, and Puong Cave. Moreover, it carries historical significance, having been a base for the resistance of the Mac dynasty general in the 16th century. Therefore, this national park is known as one of the unique cultural tourism experiences in Vietnam.

Ba Be National Park is a famous national park in Bac Kan

Ba Be National Park is a famous national park in Bac Kan

>>> See more: Ba Be Lake - A Beautiful Scenic Spot in Bac Kan

Distinctive culture at Ba Be National Park

In addition to the majestic natural landscapes, Ba Be National Park attracts visitors thanks to the unique cultural life of the local community. This area is home to more than 3,000 people from 5 different ethnic groups, with the Tay people being the majority. The scattered villages around the lake and deep in the forest create distinctive features of culture and traditional customs.

Ba Be Park is home to 5 different ethnic groups

Ba Be is home to 5 different ethnic groups

>>> See more: Travel Experience in Cao Bang - Bac Kan Detailed From A to Z

The Tay people with traditional crafts and Then music

The Tay people are prominent for their weaving and embroidery of brocade along with long-standing cultural customs. The characteristic instrument “dan tinh” with long strings and a crescent-shaped sound box is used in festivals and special occasions. Visitors can stay at traditional homestays in Pac Ngoi, Bo Lu, or Coc Toc, enjoying the fresh atmosphere while savoring the enchanting Then melodies.

The Mong and Dao people often live in the high mountains with community customs

In addition to the Tay people, the Mong and Dao communities also reside in Ba Be National Park. They often settle on high mountain slopes and cultivate on newly cleared land.

The houses of the Mong people are usually built directly on the ground in isolated villages, but the community spirit remains very strong. Their customs, festivals, and agricultural practices contribute to a diverse cultural landscape that attracts tourists.

Participate in the Long Tong Festival in Ba Be

The Long Tong Festival showcases the unique cultural traits of the Tay people

The Long Tong Festival reflects the unique culture of the Tay people

The Long Tong Festival, also known as the Rice Planting Festival, is one of the unique cultural features of the Tay people at Ba Be National Park. The festival is not only an occasion to pray for favorable weather and bountiful harvests but also a gathering place for other ethnic communities such as Nung, Dao, and San Chi, reflecting the long-standing cultural traditions of this land.

Time and organization

In Ba Be, the festival usually takes place over 3 days, from the 9th to the end of the 11th day of the first lunar month. Before the festival, families clean their houses and villages, preparing trays of traditional dishes such as banh chung, banh day, che lam, and banh bong. Each tray also features pairs of colorful fabric fruits symbolizing luck and prosperity.

Main activities during the festival

The center of the festival is the “tung con” game, held in the best rice fields. A mai pole about 20 - 30cm high is erected in the middle of the field, with a circle of 50 - 60cm in diameter attached at the top, symbolizing the sun and the moon.

Participants must throw the con so that it tears the paper circle; if successful, it is considered a sign of good luck, signaling a year of abundant crops. This is also an opportunity for young men and women to showcase their skills, health, and enjoy friendly interactions within the community.

Top 5 attractive check-in spots at Ba Be National Park

Here are 5 must-visit spots to check-in when you come here:

1/ Ao Tien Coordinates

Ao Tien is a clear pond connected to Ba Be Lake by an underground spring, home to many rare aquatic species. The local people consider this place a sacred site, so when visiting, you can only admire the scenery, not swim or litter.

2/ Ba Goa Island Coordinates

Ba Goa Island is the emerald gem located in the middle of Ba Be Lake

Ba Goa Island is an emerald gem in the middle of Ba Be Lake

The small island located right in the heart of Ba Be Lake is covered with greenery, resembling an emerald in the water. When visiting Ba Be National Park, at this coordinate, tourists can stop their boats to explore the island, take photos, or swim, enjoying the quiet and fresh atmosphere.

3/ Puong Cave Coordinates

The cave that connects two ends where thousands of bats reside

A cave that connects two ends where thousands of bats reside

This is a cave about 300m long, connecting two ends, with a variety of stalactites inside. The temperature in the cave is always stable at 18-20°C, cool year-round, and it is also home to more than 20 species of bats with a population of tens of thousands.

4/ Lung Nham Complex Coordinates

The majestic limestone mountains and diverse ecosystems

Majestic limestone mountains and diverse ecosystems

Visitors can take a boat along the lake to explore the Lung Nham - Puong Cave complex with its majestic limestone mountains and rich ecosystems. This area offers a gentle trekking experience and beautiful natural scenery for photography.

5/ Hua Ma Cave Coordinates

Stone stalactites shaped like Buddha and terraced fields in the mountains and forests

Stalactites shaped like Buddha and terraced fields among the mountains

The cave is 700m long, located at an altitude of 350m above sea level, featuring unique stalactites resembling Buddha, terraced fields, and stone curtains. When visiting Ba Be National Park, at this coordinate, tourists should follow the steps around the mountainside to reach the cave entrance; the scenes inside are truly worthwhile.

Top 3 special dishes you must try when visiting Ba Be

Ba Be National Park is famous not only for its natural landscapes but also for attracting visitors with the unique cuisine of the Tay, H'Mong, Dao ethnic groups, etc. Each dish reflects the harmony between the mountains and the local culture, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.

The dish embodies the harmony between the mountains and local culture

Dishes embody the harmony between the mountains and local culture

1/ Grilled fish on bamboo skewers

Fresh fish caught directly from Ba Be Lake is cleaned, seasoned, and then skewered on bamboo sticks to dry in the sun for 3-4 days. After that, the fish is grilled over hot coals, retaining its natural sweetness, firm texture, and aroma, becoming a specialty loved by tourists.

2/ Ngai leaf cake

Ngai leaf cake, also known as ngai cake, has a distinctive dark green color from mugwort leaves, encapsulating the flavors of the Ba Be mountains and forests. This cake is soft, cool, and not greasy, often enjoyed as a snack or during traditional festivals.

3/ Dam Deng sticky rice

Dam Deng sticky rice stands out with its eye-catching colors from various forest leaves like cam leaves, made from fragrant and sticky glutinous rice. The sticky rice is served with sesame salt or shredded pork, symbolizing luck and prosperity according to the local people's beliefs.

With a rich ecosystem, magnificent landscapes, and a unique cultural life, Ba Be National Park is truly an ideal destination for those who love nature and want to explore local culture. Let NVK Travel be your reliable companion on the journey to Bac Kan. Book your tour today at the website: nvktravel.com so that each of your trips becomes a complete, memorable, and emotional experience.