The special lake
The lake is made of three small lakes, Pé Lầm, Pé Lù and Pé Lèng.
Its local name is Slam Pé (three lakes), it is commonly called Hồ Ba Bê ( Ba Be lake ).
It is the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam. Ba Be Lake is over 8 km long, about 3 km wide at its widest point and about 20-30 m deep. It is located at 145 m above sea level and covers an area of about 650 hectares and is surrounded by steep limestone mountains with many underground streams and caves, some of which are still unexplored.
It is fed by three main streams – Cho Lung River at Pac Ngoi village, Nam Cuong stream at Bo Lu village and Ta Nang River at the west of the lake.
The lake bed is made up of limestone and a very thick layer of clay that holds water, cliffs and crevices ideal for a wide variety of aquatic life – there are over a hundred species of freshwater fish in this lake.
It is Vietnam’s eighth national park, recognized in 2011 by UNESCO as Vietnam’s third Ramsar site – (The Ramsar Convention, is an international treaty that advocates the conservation and wise use of wetlands).
Its waters, riverbanks and evergreen forests, and steep slopes are home to a number of globally threatened species such as the Asian marbled cat, the Francois’ langur, the big-headed turtle, and endemic species such as the Vietnamese salamander.
The site is recognized as an important bird area, with more than 1% of the threshold population of the white-eared night heron.
Ba Be Lake regulates water supply, providing water for irrigation during the dry season and mitigating flooding of four rivers during the rainy season.
It is fragile, threatened by infrastructure development, bird hunting, fuel and solid waste pollution, and forest clearing for agriculture.
In the middle of the lake, two small islands emerge, An Ma Island where there is a nice little temple and Ba Gao Island.
Near and or on the lake are: Ao Tien (fairy pond), Po Gia Mai island (widow island), Puong cave, Dau Dang waterfall…
This lake and this region are pure wonders of nature !
Located in the northeastern part of Vietnam at the foot of the great karst mountains of Ha Giang, Dong Van Meo Vac, it is on the way to or from this loop that it is advisable to stop at Ba Be. The serenity of the place, the enchantment that emanate can only seduce you.
Far from the main roads, it remains preserved, the nature lovers, the followers of trek pushed, those looking for authenticity will be filled.
On the lake, a boat ride is necessary, you will go to the island of the widow, cross the islet of the small temple An Ma, a small path and some steps lead to it; According to the legend, during the feudal war of the Le and Mac dynasties, the generals of the Mac dynasty who lost the battle, ran to take refuge in the cave of Puong, they died there. Appreciating their spirit of loyalty, the inhabitants of Ba Be built a temple to venerate the Mac family, but fearing the reprisals of the Le, they named it “An Ma” without revealing any name. In Tay language An Ma means “beautiful and peaceful grave”, the resting place of the Mac family. The festival of An Ma temple is held on the 6th day of the second lunar month.
Continuing your way on the Nang river you will pass under the vaults inhabited by bats of the Puong cave.
You will then head to the extreme end, towards the Dau Dang waterfall. A small refreshing stop at the end of a small path that descends to the tumultuous waters.
You can also enjoy kayaking on this beautiful lake, a nice trip at the end of the paddles!
You will see from your boats, the fishermen with the net or the net, the peaceful life of the inhabitants of the edges of water…
At the end of the day, the birds come back in groups on the banks, the smoke of the kitchens escapes from the roof of the houses, it is time to join your host family !
The surroundings of the lake are just as exceptional !
The small waterfall Tát Mạ in the village of Hoàng Tri (barely 10 km from Ba Be) which descends over large rocks placed there by who knows what tricks, the must is to climb them (sporty) to finally bathe in one of the basin pools with a view of the rice fields and small villages below.
You will not be alone, the corner is frequented by goats which will look at you with a mocking air…
Not far from there, in Quang Khe, you can go underground this time to visit the Hua Ma cave, don’t forget your flashlight, it is not illuminated, it is a little secret little frequented.
The ethnic groups who live here are divided into villages.
At the edge of the lake and in the surrounding valleys live the Tay and some Nung in houses on stilts. The Tay culture is rich in songs, music, dances and legends, let yourself be carried by their tales.
The Dao settled on the mountainside and it is more in altitude that we will find the Hmong villages, the two ethnic groups build low houses. During a hike you will not miss these villages and these beautiful meetings. All this beautiful world will be found at the markets of Nam Cuong, Quang Khe, Khang Ninh, Cao Thuong or Cho Ra.
