Top 14 Places You Should Explore in Bac Kan for a Meaningful Journey

Fairy Maiden Cave is a natural limestone cave classified as a national heritage site by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1999. From a distance, the cave resembles a sleeping maiden. It extends about 60m deep into the mountain, with an entrance 6m wide and 6m high, and a cave ceiling reaching approximately 30 - 50m in height.

Stepping inside, you'll be amazed by the beautiful scenery created by stalactites, stalagmites, and rock columns. The terraced fields with flowing streams around, known as the fairy stream, are quite enchanting. The cave also features many small passages leading to the mountainside, adding to its mystical and romantic ambiance.

Ba Be Lake is the largest natural lake in Northern Vietnam. In 1995, it was recognized by the World Freshwater Lake Conference as one of the 20 freshwater lakes in need of protection worldwide. It's called Ba Be Lake because it's formed by three lakes: Pe Lam, Pe Lu, and Pe Leng connected by the Nang River.

The lake stretches over 8km in length and reaches a depth of 20m to 30m. On beautiful sunny days, the lake resembles a mesmerizing watercolor painting, captivating even the most discerning travelers. Its serene blue surface reflects the surroundings like a mystical mirror. Occasionally, Tày girls in black attire gracefully paddle wooden boats, ferrying locals and tourists.

Puong Cave is located on the rugged Lũng Nham mountain range, about 15km southwest of Chợ Rã town, Ba Bể district. The cave stands over 20m tall and spans approximately 30m wide, with the main cave passage being nearly 300m long. Inside the cave, you'll find numerous eye-catching stalactites and stalagmites.

The cave is home to 23 bat species, with populations totaling in the thousands. Navigating through the cave's interior on small boats under the enchanting light, you'll encounter peculiarly-shaped rock formations, adding to the fascination. Exiting Puong Cave and following the Nang River downstream leads to Ba Be Lake, approximately 3km further down the river lies Đầu Đẳng Waterfall.

Ba Be National Park sits along the arc of the Gam River, embracing the curves of the Chay River, covering an area of 7,610 hectares, of which 3,226 hectares are strictly protected. The park is a diverse biological area, showcasing many characteristics of typical ecosystems.

Ba Be National Park boasts a total of 1,281 plant species belonging to 162 families, 672 genera, including 25 rare plant species listed in the IUCN Red List and numerous plant species named in the Vietnam Red Book, such as lim, nghien, dinh, bamboo, etc. Ba Be National Park is also recognized as a hub for orchid diversity, with 182 species not only found in Vietnam but also across Southeast Asia.

The majestic Dau Dang Waterfall is formed as the Nang River flows from the large rocky plateau down to create a stunning scene amidst the pristine forest. Situated approximately 4km west of Ba Be Lake, it marks the boundary between Tuyen Quang and Bac Kan provinces.

Stretching over 1,000m, the waterfall cascades over myriad rock formations, stacked upon each other like natural stone battlements. Surrounding the banks are lush green forests, extending to the water's edge. The waterfall alternates between powerful torrents and tranquil flows, offering a refreshing sight for visitors. Whether sitting on the rocks or standing on the viewing platform, you'll be captivated by the sight of the cascading water creating a frothy white spectacle, evoking a refreshing sensation.

The Bac Kan Resistance Base is our revolutionary capital during the resistance against French colonialism from 1946 to 1954. In 1946, following the French colonialists' violation of the Geneva Accords between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the French Republic, French colonial forces invaded Vietnam. In response, President Ho Chi Minh and senior officials withdrew to the northern mountainous regions to preserve forces for long-term resistance. The Viet Bac region, including Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, and Ha Giang provinces, became our nation's resistance capital at that time.

Visiting the Bac Kan Resistance Base, besides exploring the historical relics, you will also have the opportunity to learn about the local life, discover cultural aspects, and witness the changes in this revolutionary land.

Tham Temple - a historical and scenic relic site with a rich history admired by Buddhists and locals. Located about 40km south of Bac Kan town, within a picturesque setting, the serene scene features the gentle winding Cau River in front of the temple and the majestic cliffs of the Thong Khuong range behind it.

In recent years, Tham Temple has become a popular destination for many international tourists. It is part of a spiritual tourism route from Cho Moi to Bac Kan, with Tham Temple being the first stop followed by Thach Long Pagoda, Thac Rieng Temple, and then the Co Temple and Mother Temple.

Pac Ngoi Village located in Nam Mau commune, Ba Be district, still retains some ancient stilt houses with tile roofs, unique architectural styles. The people in the village have been living by growing rice, corn on the riverbank and catching fish and shrimp on Ba Be Lake for generations. Nowadays, most households in the village are engaged in service business activities serving tourists.

Visiting Pac Ngoi Village, you will experience and enjoy the delicious specialties of the lake area. Sleep in stilt houses; take a wooden boat tour on the lake; catch fish on the river, lake; watch Tay girls perform Then singing and join the locals to visit the ethnic villages around Ba Be Lake and buy local specialty products.

Bạc Bản Vàng Waterfall, located in Hoàng Trĩ commune within the buffer zone of Ba Bể National Park. The waterfall stands approximately 40m tall, with nearly vertical cliffs, hidden amidst the greenery of the forest. Below, there are clear water pools along with large, smooth rocks, inviting you to bathe and enjoy a serene atmosphere, making it an ideal tourist destination for hot summer days.

The gentle yet vigorous flow cascades down from above, crashing onto the rocks below, creating thousands of frothy white water bubbles. The sensation of immersing oneself in the refreshing water will dissolve all fatigue, leaving only a sense of relaxation and delight.

Standing below the first tier of the waterfall, you will witness a picturesque scene of myriad colors: the pure white of the water, the purple and crimson hues of the rocks, intermingled with the green of the forest, all leaving an unforgettable impression.

Address: Located on National Highway 3, from Bắc Kạn to Cao Bằng, approximately 50km from Bắc Kạn city and about 10km from the center of Ngân Sơn district.

Wind Pass is often shrouded in mist throughout the year. It serves as a rest stop on the tourist route to Cao Bằng, where you can purchase various agricultural and forest products of Bắc Kạn. It is one of the beautiful and enticing natural landscapes that you cannot miss when visiting Bắc Kạn.

According to local legend, the Devil's Forest was once a place where demons ruled. Later, a royal general passed through here on a military expedition and heard the howls of the souls of soldiers who died fighting invaders but were not liberated. The general immediately set up camp by the Lèng River, sacrificed horses, and offered their heads as a tribute to the heavens and the earth.

After the ceremony, the howls disappeared, and over the years, very special stone blocks grew. Hence, the cave was named “Lèn Pèn Cave,” also known as Hua Mạ Cave or locally called the Horse's Head Cave. Hua Mạ Cave is now located in Pắc Ngòi village, Quảng Khê commune, Ba Bể district, Bắc Kạn province.

Address: Located in the areas of Kim Hỷ, Lương Thượng, Lạng San, Ân Tình, Côn Minh of Na Rì district and Cao Sơn, Vũ Muộn of Bạch Thông district.

Due to the steep rocky terrain, the Conservation Area features numerous caves and underground streams, creating a fascinating natural landscape that not only serves the needs of research and preservation of rare genetic species but also satisfies the exploration desires of tourists.