Ba Be National Park
Ba Bể Lake, Vietnam's largest natural freshwater lake, is toured by canoe and boat, with a cave trip and stays with Tày and Nùng families.
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Ba Bể National Park sits in Thái Nguyên Province, about 250 km north of Hanoi, in northeast Vietnam. Its center is Ba Bể Lake, the country's largest natural freshwater lake, stretching about 8 km from north to south. The lake never dries out, even in the dry season. Its name means "Three Lakes" in the Tày language, after its three connected parts: Pe Leng, Pe Lu and Pe Lam. Limestone cliffs and evergreen forest rise around the shore.
Boats are the main way to see the park. Visitors cross the lake by traditional dugout canoe or motorboat, and boats can continue onto the Nang River. Small boats travel through Puông Cave, about 5 km from Chợ Rã commune centre, under limestone cliffs and stalactites. Visitors can stay in guest houses near the lake or in the homes of Tày and Nùng families. The best time to visit is early spring and summer.
Ba Be National Park in five
- Plan two nights, because the road is longThe park is a long day's travel from Hanoi by road, so one night means two days spent in a vehicle. Two nights give you a full day on the lake and a morning to walk.
- Take a boat on the lake with a guideThe lake has three linked parts, and boat routes cross it to caves, a waterfall and a temple on a small island. Agree the route and price at the jetty or with your homestay, and keep a rain jacket on board.
- Stay in a Tay stilt houseHomestays in Tay villages near the park serve home-cooked dinners and put you close to the lake at dawn. Book ahead for weekends, since rooms are few.
- Check cave and trek rules at the park officeSome caves and forest treks need a park guide or a permit, and rules change. Ask at the visitor office on arrival and do not enter caves alone.
- Pair it with a northern loop only if you have a weekBa Be sits off the main tourist trail. If you add Ha Giang or Cao Bang, plan the days from Hanoi first, then decide whether Ba Be stays or goes.Northeast Vietnam
Need to know
- Entrance
- Paid at the park office; boat hire is separate, so ask first
- Permits
- Ask the park office about cave and trek permits
- Season
- Open all year; mist in winter, rain in summer
- Nearest town
- Cho Ra, the district town near the lake
- Getting there
- By road from Hanoi; plan a full travel day each way
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Cool, mistyJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, misty
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Cool, TetFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, Tet
- MarchRain19 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°MildMarchRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°WarmAprilRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 144 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- MayRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Warm, showersMayRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 309 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, showers
- JuneRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Hot, rainJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 418 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rain
- JulyRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low24°RainyJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 364 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy
- AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°RainyAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 462 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Rain easingSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 308 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°ClearOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 177 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Dry, coolNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Cool, dryDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
Average daily high and low in Bac Kan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ba Be National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 89%
Ba Be National Park
07:51 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°21°89%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Wed30°23°39%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Thu31°23°85%Thursday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Fri28°22°95%Friday: Rain. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Sat28°22°93%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Sun27°20°86%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 86%.
Updated 03:38 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Ba Be Lake boat triphalf day to full day by boatCross the three linked parts of the lake to caves, a waterfall and an island temple.
- Dau Dang waterfallshort boat or road tripA cascade in a rocky gorge, best after rain.
- Puong Caveshort boat ride and walkA river cave you can pass through by boat or on foot; follow the guide's lead.
Before you go to Ba Be National Park
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Rules for Ba Be National Park, checked
- Check whether you need a Vietnam visa and which entry scheme your passport qualifies for before you book, on the official e-visa portalSource
- Hotels and guest houses register foreign guests' passports with local police, so carry your passport when you check in
- Vietnamese law protects the park's plants and animals, so do not collect or take any out of the park
Plan around Ba Be National Park
The usual starting point
Read the guideCuc Phuong National ParkA closer park for a one-night trip
Read the guideHa Giang LoopDays, months and who should ride
Read the guideNortheast VietnamCao Bang, Ban Gioc and the Quang Ninh coast
Read the guideBest time to visit VietnamWeather by region and month
Read the guideGetting around VietnamBuses, trains and flights compared
Read the guideAll of VietnamEntry, seasons, regions and money
Read the guideBa Be National Park FAQ
How many days do you need at Ba Be?
Two nights is the practical minimum, because each way from Hanoi is a long travel day. That gives one full day on the lake and a short walk or village visit. Add a third night only if you plan caves or treks.
How do you get to Ba Be from Hanoi?
By road, with a private car, a shared van or a tour that includes the transfer. It is a long journey, so start early and check the return time. Confirm your lake booking before you leave, since boats do not run in bad weather.
Is Ba Be better than Ha Long Bay?
They are different trips: Ba Be is a quiet freshwater lake with homestays and caves, while Ha Long is sea karsts and cruises. Choose Ba Be for calm and village life, and skip it if you have only a couple of days.
When is the best time to visit Ba Be?
March, April, October and November balance dry weather and clear views. Summer is rainy and humid, with swollen waterfalls, and winter is cool and misty.
Can you visit Ba Be as a day trip?
Not sensibly. The road time would take most of the day, leaving little time on the water. Spend at least one night in a homestay near the lake.