Buzz
A group of friends from Hanoi took some time to relax at a traditional stilt house, tried their hand at cooking, and enjoyed paddleboarding at Ba Be Lake, Bac Kan.
Explore Ba Be Lake, the Largest Freshwater Lake in Vietnam, for 500,000 VND
We had a trip to Ba Be Lake on a late July summer day. Two cars journeyed 240 km from Hanoi through a road imbued with the damp scent of occasional early-season rains.
Ba Be Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam, one of the top 100 largest lakes in the world, formed over 200 million years ago. The lake is named Ba Be, meaning three parts of the lake converging, known as Pé Lầm, Pé Lù, and Pé Lèng.
After a 4.5-hour journey, the night had fallen, and the path to Pac Ngoi village was winding with rocky terrain weaving through the forest. The village of the Tày people was quite primitive, with many houses transformed into homestays, providing additional income for the locals aside from cultivating colorful flowers. We stayed overnight in a stilt house, each person paying 70,000 VND. If you prefer a double room, you can spend 150,000 VND for more privacy.
As the sunrise painted the sky, our mountain-side house emerged, surrounded by lush trees and beneath cotton-like clouds reminiscent of childhood days indulging in cotton candy.
Walking down to the village, we discovered an eatery renowned for its rolled cakes, a traditional morning delight in mountainous regions like Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Ha Giang – a local morning ritual akin to pho for Hanoi dwellers.
After breakfast, the group decided to follow a pristine forest path leading to the lake. Towering ancient trees lined the route, their canopy resembling a 5-story house with vibrant green leaves and trunks wide enough for 5-6 people to embrace.
We were guided by locals to Hoi Xuan, a gathering spot by the water. This area comes alive during the village festival in spring, earning its name over time.
Upon arrival, we set up our gear and inflatable SUPs for stand-up paddleboarding. Originating from the Hawaiian islands, SUPs come in rigid plastic or composite, as well as inflatable options made from rubber. The inflatable type can be rolled up for easy transport and inflated when ready for use.
We erected two tents to shelter personal belongings and food from the sun, and then the entire group inflated the SUPs and paddled leisurely around the lake. Some friends stayed onshore, sitting on foldable chairs, listening to birdsong, snacking on fruits, or swaying to music amidst the mountains and forests.
Nature here is stunning, simple, and surprisingly quiet. There's no longer the noise of city traffic; instead, the air is filled with the melodies of birds hidden behind the mountainous trees.
By noon, we returned to our tents, bringing sausages, fruits, and instant noodles for lunch, animatedly sharing stories of our recent journey.
In the evening, everyone gathered at the traditional stilt house in Pa Ngoi village, sitting on the porch, brewing tea, and admiring the sunset casting its warm glow over the fields and mountains. In the soft evening light, everything became more beautiful than ever.
The trip to Ba Be Lake is ideal for nature-loving youth seeking tranquility. Our 3-day, 2-night journey cost around 500,000 VND per person (including fuel, shared stilt house accommodation, breakfast, and ingredients for self-cooked lunch).
Explore more photos from the trip
Source: Doan Manh/Vnexpress
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Explore: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourAugust 14, 2018
