One Country, Many Water Stories
Vietnam, a land of contrasts, holds natural treasures often overlooked by international travelers. Its lakes, true mirrors of the country’s geographical and cultural diversity, each tell a unique story. But among these aquatic jewels, one site stands out: Ba Be, an ecosystem that transcends the simple definition of a body of water.
The Lakes of Vietnam: A Contrasting Overview
Before diving into the exceptional nature of Ba Be, an overview is necessary. Vietnam has several remarkable lakes, each with its own personality. Two are particularly iconic:
Thac Ba: The Industrial Artifice
Thac Ba, in Yen Bai province (now Lao Cai, since the administrative merger of July 2025), illustrates human intervention on nature. Born from a hydroelectric dam in 1971, this artificial lake of 370 km² symbolizes industrial development. Its creation profoundly modified the original ecosystem, transforming a natural landscape into energy infrastructure.
Ho Xuan Huong: The Colonial Legacy
Further south, Da Lat city lake offers a striking contrast.
Perched at an altitude of 1500 meters in the Central Highlands, it retains the marks of the French colonial era. Its temperate climate, unique in Vietnam, gives it an almost European atmosphere. Resorts, colonial architecture, and mass tourism have shaped an environment very different from traditional tropical landscapes.
Ba Be: The Exceptional Ecosystem
Ba Be literally shatters these conventional frameworks. Located 240 km north of Hanoi, this lake is a living ecosystem, a geological narrative where every element tells millennia of natural history. Stretching 8 km long and culminating at an altitude of 178 meters, Ba Be is not just a lake; it’s a unique system of three interconnected bodies of water.
♦ Ba Be lake, a natural jewel of Vietnam
Extraordinary Biodiversity
Its biodiversity is extraordinary: over 550 animal species, 280 butterfly species, and several endangered species. But Ba Be is also, and above all, the story of its inhabitants. The Tay and Nung ethnic groups have preserved intact cultural practices there, making this place much more than a natural site: a living heritage.
A Unique National Park
Created in 1992, Ba Be National Park spans 7,610 hectares. Its crystal-clear waters, whose temperature fluctuates between 16 and 22°C, invite a contemplation that goes beyond simple tourism. The average depth of 20-25 meters hides ecological treasures, evidence of preserved nature.
A Holistic Approach to Preservation
What truly distinguishes Ba Be is its holistic approach to preservation. Here, tourism development is not an objective, but a means to protect a unique ecosystem. Local communities are not spectators but central actors in this conservation.
Ba Be, More Than a Destination
Ba Be is not just a lake. It’s an experience, a journey into the heart of nature and local culture, where you discover landscapes that are both spectacular and peaceful, ancestral traditions, and fabulous biodiversity. It’s a place where time seems to stand still, inviting visitors to reconnect with themselves and with the environment.