Ba Be National Park – Definitive Guide

the view of Ba Be Lake from a homestay

Table of Contents

Ba Be National Park

As Vietnam’s eighth national park, created in 1992 and covering an area of about one hundred square kilometers, Ba Be is a region of astounding beauty, from the lush vegetation, mirrored in the lake’s still waters to towering limestone pinnacles that reach over 1500m. Ba Be National Park is in Bac Kan province not far from the borders of Cao Bang province and Tuyen Quang province. We love it so much, it features on many of our motorcycle tours, including the popular 9 day Lake Loop and 6 day Waterfall Run tours.

The lakes are 280km from Hanoi, 61km from Bac Kan and 18km from Cho Ra. Within 2 – 3 days, you will be able to enjoy sightseeing to beautiful ethnic villages in the region around the national park; this will be via an easy bike ride from the local village where you are having your homestay. There will also be a tranquil boat trip on Ba Be Lake and the River Nang to view romantic and imposing landscape.

selfie by one of our customers by Ba Be Lake
selfie by one of our customers by Ba Be Lake

Transportation

Renting Cars

Most visitors to the Ba Be national park get there by car from Hanoi. The one-way journey from Hanoi to Ba Be takes about six hours; most travelers allow three days and two nights for the trip.

Public Transport

Reaching the park by public transport is possible, but not easy. There no direct bus to Ba Be Park. You can take a bus to Bac Kan at My Dinh bus station and hop off at Cho Ra town (it will take you about five hours). In Cho Ra, you arrange a motorbike (about 50,000VND) to cover the last 16km to Ba Be. You can stay in Ba Be guest house or homestay inside the park.

Ba Be National Park By Motorbike

This motorbike trip will take you from the hectic roads of Hanoi to winding rural trail of Ba Be National Park where you can experience the unspoiled natural beauty and authentic, traditional villages.

After 100 km from the city center, you will ride on the small and winding road through the forest and mountains. It takes almost one day by motorcycle riding. Some roads are tough and easy to get lost so you need to be well-prepared. After a one-day motorbike ride, you will be in the heart of the biggest National Park in northeast Vietnam – Ba Be. You can spend 1,2 or 3 days here to discover the Ba Be lake – the largest natural lake in Vietnam, to do trekking in the park, motorbike ride around to see the villages of the hill tribes and to visit some “off-the-beaten” limestone caves.

riding down Ba Be Road, near Ba Be Lake, on a sunny day
riding down Ba Be Road, near Ba Be Lake, on a sunny day

Hanoi to Ba Be Lake Route Map

When To Go To?

The best time to visit Ba Be Lake is during the dry season of Late October until May (winter and spring). In the wet season, the Ba Be lake takes up water from the Nang River and becomes regularly flooded. If you travel at the time of Long Tong Festival on the 10th and 11th days of the first lunar month, there are traditional games and performances of surrounding ethnic tribal groups.

What To Do?

The best time to visit Ba Be Lake is during the dry season of Late October until May (winter and spring). In the wet season, the Ba Be lake takes up water from the Nang River and becomes regularly flooded. If you travel at the time of Long Tong Festival on the 10th and 11th days of the first lunar month, there are traditional games and performances of surrounding ethnic tribal groups.

Visitors to Ba Be National Park have their choice of a variety of experiences — lazy boat tours on the lakes, treks to caves and waterfalls, homestays in minority villages and kayaking trips through the park. The park also boasts surprising biodiversity, with some 550 plant species, 65 species of mammals, 353 butterflies, 233 birds, and more than 100 types of fish. While some of the wildlife can be quite shy and difficult to spot, it’s common to see macaque monkeys, colorful parrots, and herons near the banks of the lake.

Highlights of Ba Be National Park are peaceful boat trips on the lake, visits to nearby tourist spots such as Puong Cave and Dau Dang Waterfall and trekking to minority villages. Basic homestay in villages in the park is also a great experience. Further north of Ba Be is Cao Bang Province, a remote area where you can see an authentic ethnic minority lifestyle as well as the famous Ban Gioc Waterfall. Ba Be national park maps are available in the area.

Ba Be Lake on a clear afternoon
Ba Be Lake on a clear afternoon
taking a boat trip around Ba Be Lake
taking a boat trip around Ba Be Lake

Where To Stay?

There is no hotel inside Ba Be National Park but there are many homestays. All the accommodations in Ba Be National Park are safe and security certificates by the government! The Tay people are very friendly and always welcome you!

A popular homestay in Ba Be: Mr. Linh’s Homestay. Located outside of the main village on a quiet street, Mr. Linh’s Homestay is a luxury style homestay. Clean, modern, new mattresses, hot water. Good food is available. You can also book lake tours and ethnic minority village treks. Free wifi. Mr. Linh also has a budget homestay in the village.

a room in Mr Linh's Homestay, Ba Be
a room in Mr Linh's Homestay, Ba Be

Quick Connect

BMW 1250 GS

Engine Type

air-liquid cooled, twin cylinder, DOHC, boxer engine

Displacement

1255 cc

Bore X Stroke

102.5 mm x 76 mm

Ignition

FI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

12.5:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm

Rear Suspension

single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever

Front Brakes

dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers

Rear Brakes

single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper

Front Tyres

120/70 R19

Rear Tyres

170/60 R17

Wheelbase

1514 mm

Seat Height

850 mm

Ground Clearance

790 mm

Kerb Weight

249 kg

Fuel Capacity

20 litres

Dimensions

2207 mm (L) x 952.5mm (W) x 1430 mm (H)

Honda XR 150 motorcycle rental

Engine Type

air cooled, OHC, single cylinder

Displacement

149 cc

Bore X Stroke

57.3 mm x 57.8 mm

Ignition

CDI

Fuel System

20 mm piston valve carburettor

Compression Ratio

9.5:1

Starter

electric with kick starter backup

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel

Rear Suspension

single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel

Front Brakes

dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc

Rear Brakes

mechanical drum

Front Tyres

90/90 19

Rear Tyres

110/90 17

Wheelbase

1362 mm

Seat Height

825 mm

Ground Clearance

243 mm

Kerb Weight

129 kg

Fuel Capacity

12 litres

Dimensions

2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)

Honda CB 500X motorcycle rental

Engine Type

liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke

Displacement

470 cc

Bore X Stroke

67 mm x 66.8 mm

Ignition

PGMI – FI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

dual 296 mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS

Rear Brakes

240 mm disc; ABS

Front Tyres

110/80R19M/C (59H)

Rear Tyres

160/60R17M/C

Wheelbase

1445 mm

Seat Height

830 mm

Ground Clearance

180 mm

Kerb Weight

199 kg

Fuel Capacity

17.7 litres

Dimensions

2,155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1,410 mm (H)

Honda CRF 300 motorcycle rental

Engine Type

single cylinder, DOHC, liquid cooled

Displacement

286 cc

Bore X Stroke

76 mm x 63 mm

Ignition

Full Transistor Digital

Fuel System

PGM-FI electronic fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

43 mm telescopic upside down

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

256 mm disc, 2 piston caliper

Rear Brakes

220 mm disc, single piston caliper

Front Tyres

80/100 21

Rear Tyres

120/80 18

Wheelbase

1455 mm

Seat Height

880 mm

Ground Clearance

285 mm

Kerb Weight

142 kg

Fuel Capacity

7.8 litres

Dimensions

2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)

Tourist

One-Way

Expat

Pricing

N/A

N/A

Damage Waiver

$0/day

N/A

N/A

Security Deposit

N/A

N/A

Required Docs

passport

N/A

N/A

Mileage Limit

unlimited

N/A

N/A

Touring

N/A

N/A