One such lesser-known place is the Ba Be Lake, which is nestled in the mountainous terrain of northern Vietnam and is an unspoiled beauty that has in its arsenal natural beauty, cultural richness, and daring physical adventures.
Ba Be is the largest natural freshwater lake in central Vietnam, and it is located in Ba Be National Park, which covers an area of more than 10,000 hectares of pristine ecosystem. As much as the lake, it is bordered by towering cliffs, lush, green forests, rivers, and attractive water falls—a mecca for enthusiasts in the natural world.
However, what has impressed me most probably is the natural beauty at Ba Be Lake. This makes the lake seem like a pristine inland sea of a beautiful shade of turquoise with steep limestone cliffs and rainforest all around.
There are a number of plants and animals around the area, some of which are classified as endangered species, like the black bear and the silver langur. Bird watchers will also be able to feast on several different species of water birds and several different species of raptors that are common to the lake and surrounding region.
The vicinity of the Ba Be Lake is also archeologically and ethnologically important due to the presence of several ethnic groups such as Tay, H’mong, and Dao. These people have dwelled in the region for many years now, and aspects such as their lifestyle reflect their ability to relate to the land as well as the resources offered on the land. There are possibilities to interact with the inhabitants of the region, to explore more about the culture and beliefs of these people, and to become a witness of a distinctive culture.
Other activities include taking a boat or a rowing boat and exploring the fauna and flora that have been surviving in the lake and its surroundings, which include mountains and jungles, as well as going on the mountain trekking and enjoying waterfall caves. One of the best ways to spend time on the lake is to go for a boat ride, which will enable the tourist to travel within the lake due to its shallow waters and also get a vantage point of the surrounding scenery.
In the boat tours, local villages are also visited, where tourists get to see various indigenous items being made and can taste local foods too. There are hiking trails for those visitors who do not want to stay passive. In the Ba Be National Park, one can go trekking and discover different fauna and flora and beautiful views on the lake and mountains.
Mark