Hanoi to Ba Be Lake by motorbike: Travel Guide From A – Z

Overview of Ba Be Lake

The biggest value of Ba Be Lake is the unique geological landscapes with a high value of landform and ecological diversification. In 1995, the World Lake Conference listed Ba Be Lake as one of the 20 special natural lakes that need to be reserved. In late 2004, Ba Be National Park was recognized as an ASEAN natural heritage.

About Ba Be Lake

• Elevation: 145m.
• Area: 650ha, length: 8km with a knot in the middle. The lake is surrounded by limestone mountain ranges, inside which are caves and underground streams.
• Average depth: 20-25m and 5-10m (of shallows).
• The water moves with a speed of 0.5m/s and up to 2.5-3m/s in flood season.
• This is one of the largest natural lakes in Northern Vietnam, surrounded by slate and limestone cliffs.
• An Ma and Ba Goa are the 2 small islands emerging from the lake’s surface. On January 5, a festival called Long Tong festival is held by the indigenous people.
• The lake was acknowledged as one of Vietnam’s 21 national tourism sites.

Best time to travel from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake by motorbike 

As aforementioned, Ba Be  lake is hemmed in limestone mountain ranges and virgin forests. That is why the atmosphere around it is always cool and fresh. Accordingly, summer is the best time to visit Ba Be Lake by motorbike and feel the freezing wind tapping on your face.

If festivals are your thing, take a trip here in spring to join annually festivals held on January 9 and 10 (Lunar calendar) with a range of exciting traditional activities such as throwing the cotton ball, racing, wrestling, archery, and dancing.

How to get to Ba Be Lake

You can reach the lake by several kinds of vehicles. But if you come there from Tuyen Quang, you can travel by boat on the Nang river to Ba Be Lake. It  takes about 5 hours (220 km) to travel from Hanoi to  Ba Be Lake by motorbike. The followings are some ways suggested by BM Travel Adventure.

Travel from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake by motorbike: 

The amazing motorbike loop from Hanoi to Ba Be also enchants many riders and backpackers. There are 2 ways to travel from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake by motorbike:

• Hanoi ” National Highway 3 through Thai Nguyen (100km) ” Cross Bac Kan Township to Phu Thong Town, go along Phu Thong Pass to reach Cho Ra Town (130km), and continue going onwards for a further 16 km to hit the destination.
• Hanoi – National Highway 3 through Thai Nguyen ” Yen Do (120km), take a turn to ATK Dinh Hoa, then go over Chu ” Don Market in Bang Lung Town (80km). From Cho Don Town, head for a further 36 km to Ba Be Lake.

Travel from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake by coach

As the main bus station in the capital city, My Dinh offers lots of coaches to take passengers to the north, specifically to Ba Be and Bac Kan Province. At 6 and 10 in the morning every day, the Thuong Nga coach picks up travelers to Cho Don District (Bang Lung Town) at gate no. 33. Direct the drivers to find the exact coach. Ticket price charges over 7 dollars per person.

Arriving in Bang Lung at 11:30 a.m., you will transfer to another coach from Thuong Nga Company and make it to Ba Be Lake. Same in the afternoon, you just need to tell the hotel’s owner to call the driver to come to pick you up.

Note: There are many coaches just carrying the passengers to Cho Ra Town or the National Park’s gate, and you must travel to the lake in a taxi.

Where to stay in Ba Be Lake 

Currently, the Tay people living around Ba Be Lake offer many serviced homestays. Most of the accommodations are located in Cho Ra and the lake’s neighboring areas and only 4 hotels within Ba Be precincts. Attracting a huge number of investments, serviced homestays are strongly developed when there are about 10 families running homestays accompanied by food services in Pac Ngoi only. If you are a nature buff, you can pick up to stay overnight in the village and enjoy the upland’s comfortable atmosphere.

Hua Ma Cave

Positioned in Ba Be National park, Pac Ngoi Village, Quang Khe Commune, Bac Kan Province, Hua Ma Cave is adjacent to Leng River which lies deep inside Co Don Mountain (Lonely Mountain) and the lush green Ghost Forest (Lep Pen area) to the southeast. Therefore, it is always secluded and quiet. The indigenous people called it Leo Pen Cave.

The foot of the Co Don Mountain is at an elevation of 350m and the route from which to the cave’s entrance has been turned into stairs. Tourists must climb all the way to 300m to reach Hua Ma whose entrance is 3m wide and 5m high. The area inside the Cave is about 1 ha with a length of 700m and a wide ceiling with a height of 40 ” 50m showing off many marvelous stalactite cliffs. However, the cave has not yet been developed in terms of commercializing tourism as well as the number of tourists.

Puong Cave

Puong Cave is in Cao Thuong Commune, Ba Be. Being a two-headed cave, the cave is 300m long and over 30m high, withstanding cliffs and stalactites of various shapes and colors, formed when the Nang River flows through the bottom of Lung Nham Limestone, building a truly majestic landscape. The cave’s entrance is towering and flat. And outside the cave, the granite boulders which are covered with moss over time clearly exposed themselves under the natural light. While the water inside reflects the image of the unique and magnificent system of stalactites and stalagmites. Exploring deeper into the cave, visitors will be amazed by a dark hollow, a huge home to thousands of bats. Tourists can cross Puong Cave by boat or raft along the Nang River.

Dau Dang Waterfall

Dau Dang Waterfall stands between two limestone mountain ranges, flowing to the Nang River, which borders Bac Kan and Tuyen Quang Province. Nang River streams under Lung Nham Mountain, creating Puong Cave. It descends from the 500m rocky slopes, forming the magnificent Dau Dang Waterfall. Additionally, this area also shows a rare type of devil catfish, some weighing over 10kg.

Ao Tien (The Fairy Pond)

The Fairy Pond is a pretty pond neatly nested in the limestone mountain, standing aloof from the main lake. To visit Ao Tien, you have to walk on land. Nurtured by the underground water, the pond’s water level is the same as Ba Be Lake’s.

Notwithstanding the isolation and quietude give it no chance to catch a big batch of fish, the local fishermen sometimes still come here for fishing. Similar to specific features of Ba Be, the Fairy Pond also evokes the local legend, which is about a hunter who was charmed by the beauty of the fairies bathing in the pond.

Ba Goa Island (Widow Island)

Ba Goa is a small island in the middle of Pe Leng ” a branch of Ba Be Lake. The island was made up of different-sized rocks stacking over each other. Thanks to the lush green trees whose roots hug the rocks, the Widow Island looks like a giant penguin  coming out of the surface. Like an emerald casting a shadow down the clear blue water, the island is a perfect attraction for tourists to go sightseeing and take pictures of their trip to Ba Be National Park.

Silver Waterfall 

The Silver Waterfall belongs to Hoang Tri Commune ” the subarea of Ba  Be National Park. From the peak of Khau Vang, the waterfall appears like a white ribbon that can ease tourists’ minds on hot summer days.

With a height of 40m, the forested cliff is vertical up to the sky. Under its foot is a clear pool where you can go swimming and immerse yourself in the serenity here. Strongly billowing down from above, the current creates no end of white foam when crashing into the rocks. All of your depression will be removed as soon as throwing yourself into the cool pool, and only relaxation is left to you at that time. Despite being developed in commercializing tourism, the waterfall is still pristine. That’s why you will feel like being lost in a purely vast nature when beholding it. As one of the rare places which can bring a natural chill in summer, the Silver Waterfall draws many young travelers to come.

Pac Ngoi Village

Pac Ngoi is a cultural village in Nam Mau Commune, Ba Be District, which abounds with stilt houses nearby the Leng River. The village has over 80 households and nearly 400 populations. All the villagers are the Tay people. Pac Ngoi Village still has some ancient stilt houses with yin-and-yang tiled roofs and unique architectural designs. Rice and maize cultivation in riverine mudflats and shrimp fishing on Ba Be Lake are the main means of the locals’ livelihood. Nowadays, most households join business activities to serve visitors.

Come to Pac Ngoi, and you  will have a chance to try the typical specialties such as rice cooked in bamboo tubes, grilled fish, tiny sour shrimp, sour pork, and 5-color sticky rice, to name a few; try your hand at sleeping in a stilt house; visit the lake on a dugout canoe; go fishing at the lake or river. Besides, you can enjoy the traditional performances of the young girls and weave through the villages around Ba Be Lake’s area. If you need some souvenirs to bring back home, buy some local handicrafts.

An Ma Temple

An Ma Temple is situated on An Ma island in the heart of Ba Be Lake. This ancient temple was rebuilt in 2007, and a religious life place for the indigenous people and pilgrims from everywhere come to practice religion where offerings are made at the Spring Festival held on January 10. An Ma Temple Festival is held on the annual lunar on February 6.

What to eat in Ba Be Lake 

Visiting Ba Be Lake without trying the local foods and specialties will be a big miss!

Pac Ngoi Grilled Fish

The residents often manually catch the fish, so the quantity of it is not many. However, the quality is awesome. The fish meat is firm and naturally sweet.

Roasted suckling pig

Forget not to taste the mouth-watering and aromatic roasted piglet with Vietnamese curry. The meat is tender and well-spiced.

Wild Chicken

The mountainous chicken is fed with unhusked rice and sent out, so its meat is firm, sweet, and savory while the skin is crackling.

Special sticky rice

The special sticky rice of the Northwest mountains is a popular dish for all the upland people. That is followed by roasted pork and chicken.

Bamboo shot steamed with meat.

Stunning Vietnam motorbike routes from  Hanoi to Ba Be Lake

Ba Be Lake is a favorite site for adventure buffs where they can admire many spectacular landscapes and learn about the upland people’s culture. Furthermore, relishing delicious foods and specialties of the land is also an exciting experience for your trip.

1. North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake – 8 days

Motorbike Route: Hanoi → Phu Yen → Than Uyen → Sapa → Ha Giang → Dong Van → Meo Vac → Ba Be Lake → Hanoi

Northern Vietnam is the place where exists the origin of the Vietnamese culture for a thousand years. Ha Giang, Meo Vac, Ba Be, Sapa, and Bac Kan impress the off-road riders with not only their majestic nature  but also the depth of culture and diversity of cuisine. The spring is the blooming season of peach blossom and plum blossom and also the best time of the year to watch the snow falling on white hills. Let’s explore the fascinating attractions of northern Vietnam and prepare a plan to head to beautiful Vietnam in no time!

2. North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake – 10 days

Motorbike Route: Hanoi → Mai Chau → Moc Chau → Phu Yen → Than Uyen → Sapa → Xin Man → Ha Giang → Meo Vac → Cao Bang → Ba Be Lake 

Experiencing North Vietnam by motorbike on small and steep roads will be a challenge for any adventure biker. From Hanoi to Ba Be Lake, you will have a chance to admire the raw beauty of Mai Chau, Sapa, Ha Giang, and also peaceful villages hidden behind the bamboo groves. Don’t forget to take a deep breath after every stop to enjoy the fresh air and listen to the sound of nature. Spending days and nights in the local area to better understand Vietnamese history and immerse yourself in the unique cultures of the northern region.

3. North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake – 15 days

Motorbike Route: Hanoi → Mai Chau → Son La → Muong Lay → Lai Chau → Sapa → Xin Man → Ha Giang → Dong Van → Meo Vac → Cao Bang → Ban Gioc Waterfall → Ba Be Lake

The northwestern region of Vietnam is well-known for its diverse types of terrains which range from the plateau, mountain, hill, and valley to forest and river. This region has also drawn great attention from adventure-loving travelers for the challenging yet fun routes that it has to offer. An off-road motorbike tour to northwestern Vietnam will definitely leave you with an unforgettable experience and lingering memories of the sceneries, people, and food here. Check out our detailed itinerary for a 15-day north Vietnam motorbike tour from Hanoi to Ba Be below.

4. Northwest Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake – 9 days

Motorbike Route:  Hanoi → Mai Chau → Phu Yen → Mu Cang Chai → Sapa→ Xin Man → Ha Giang → Dong Van → Bao Lac → Ba Be Lake → Hanoi

In this 9-day Northwest Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be, you will have the opportunity to explore the breathtaking beauty of Mai Chau Valley, Moc Chau Plateau, rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai, Sapa National Tourist Center, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Meo Vac National Park, Ba Be Lake. The tour is promised to bring a lot of great touring experiences and satisfy even the most difficult customers.

5. Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake – 4 days

Motorbike Route:  Hanoi → Bac Son → Ban Gioc Waterfall → Quang Uyen → Ba Be Lake → Hanoi

Passing through the windy small roads along with magnificent mountain ranges, you will wallow in stunning natural views with multiple-level and green jade water flowing down ofBan Gioc waterfall and crystal freshwater of Ba Be Lake. At every stopping point of the trip, you will have great chances to explore the exotic cultural values, the special cuisine, and gastronomy of ethnic hill-tribe people. Let’s grab up your luggage and run!

6. Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake via Ha Giang – 6 days

Motorbike Route:  Hanoi → Vu Linh (Thac Ba lake ) → Ha Giang City → Dong Van (Ma Pi Leng pass) → Bao Lac → Ba Be Lake → Hanoi

This 6-day Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be via Ha Giang is among our most recommended ones. Not only do we get to explore the distinctive beauty of Ha Giang in such landmarks as Quan Ba sky gate, Co Tien twin-mountain, Lung Cu flagpole, Dong Van old quarter, Khau Vai love market, Ma Pi Leng pass… We also get to visit other famous landmarks in northern Vietnam such as Thac Ba lake, Hoang Su Phi rice terrace, and Ba Be Lake. A trip to Chieu Lau Thi peak, one of the highest peaks in northern Vietnam, standing at 2402m, is also a challenge that’s worth your effort. Each day on the road with our 6-day Ha Giang off-road tour will be a fun-filled, exciting ride with so many surprises to look forward to!

7. Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake – 7 days

Motorbike Route:  Hanoi → Mau Son → Cao Bang → Ban Gioc Waterfall → Pac Bo Cave → Ba Be Lake → Hanoi

Off-road motorcyclists are no stranger to northeastern Vietnam because this region has many attractive places to discover. To make the trip really impressive and meaningful, tourists should prepare a detailed plan. The northeastern region in Vietnam is famous not only for the majestic and beautiful landscapes but also for exciting local food. Exploring the 7-day Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be will be an unforgettable off-road adventure.

8. Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake Ban Gioc Waterfall – 7 days

Motorbike Route:  Hanoi → Mau Son → Cao Bang → Ban Gioc Waterfall → Pac Bo Cave → Ba Be Lake → Hanoi

Do you desire to gain memorable traveling experiences? Don’t miss the opportunity to get involved in the exploration of Northeast Vietnam. This region includes romantic and poetic landscapes such as Ba Be Lake and Ban Gioc waterfall. Besides, you will get a chance to taste highland specialties and take part in folk festivals on the trip to the Northeast land.

Join the Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ban Gioc Waterfall and Ba Be ” 7 days to explore almost all the famous beautiful sites in the Northeast region. You will get enjoyable experiences in Mau Son before riding to Cao Bang for a sightseeing tour of Ban Gioc waterfall andPac Bo cave. The final destination of the journey is Ba Be Lake.

9. Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake – 8 days

Motorbike Route:  Hanoi → Thac Ba lake → Ha Giang → Dong Van → Meo Vac → Bao Lac → Ban Gioc Waterfalls → Ba Be lake

Conquering off-road tracks through Northeast lands is the desire of many riders. If you also dream of great riding experiences, don’t miss the opportunity to join the motorcycle tour of Northeast Vietnam. When traveling to these areas, you can admire a host of stunning landscapes and discover unique cultures. Our 8-day Northeast

Vietnam Motorcycle Tours from Hanoi to Ba Be will take you to the most beautiful lands in Northeast Vietnam. Departing from Hanoi, you will be equipped with a powerful motorbike to ride to numerous famous sites in the Northeast land, including Thac Ba Lake, Ha Giang, Dong Van, Meo Vac, Bao Lac, Ban Gioc waterfall, and Ba Be Lake. Each of them will leave you with different impressions and experiences of scenery, cultures, and riding experiences.

10. Vietnam Motorcycle Trip from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake – 3 days

Motorbike Route:  Hanoi → Thac Ba Lake → Ba Be Lake → Hanoi

For those who want to enjoy the vacation in an extraordinary way, this 3-day Hanoi motorbike tour to Ba Be Lake is definitely the perfect choice. Being a part of our tour will give you the chance to try yourself on different routes, discover the colorful life of the locals as well as admire the breathtaking views of Ba Be National Park with the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam.

11. Off-road Vietnam Dirt Bike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake via Sapa – 7 Days

Motorbike Route:  Hanoi → Vu Linh → Mu Cang Chai → Sapa → Ha Giang → Dong Van → Ba Be Lake → Hanoi

Northern Vietnam is an ideal destination for off-road adventures. With different types of geographical features and topography, the high mountain, forests to plateau, this 7-day off-road Vietnam dirt bike tour from Hanoi to Ba Be via Sapa will take you to the paradise regions of northern Vietnam.

Journey to the hidden paradise lies peacefully in Northern Vietnam, a paradise of extraordinary scenery, attractive biodiversity, and rich culture. This Vietnam dirt bike tour will take you to Ba Be’s wild mountain lake, certainly the most beautiful lake in Vietnam, located 250 km in the North of Hanoi. Surrounded by primeval forests and limestone cliffs, the trip will take you by surprise and become rich as you explore the surrounding areas that are predominantly Thai and Mong.

12. Off-road Vietnam Dirt Bike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake – 7 days

Motorbike Route:  Hanoi → Vu Linh → Chieu Lau Thi → Thong Nguyen → Ha Giang → Dong Van → Bao Lac → Ba Be Lake → Hanoi

Emerging as an ideal destination for adventure tourism in recent years, the Off-road Vietnam Dirt Bike Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be – 7 days will certainly not disappoint you. Our 7-day trip makes sure you get to see the best of this beautiful land where you can escape the noise and stifling atmosphere of the city. This is your chance to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and learn about the unique culture of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. So, what are you waiting for? Take your backpack and book your adventure motorbike tour today!.