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Hat Then: a spiritual and enchanting song

Hat Then is an age-old form of musical and ritual expression, alive in the Tay, Nung, and Thai communities, and especially present in Bac Kan. This singing is closely tied to the local spiritual and cultural life, playing a key role in important ceremonies like prayers for peace, good harvests, health, and happiness. The word “Then” translates to “God,” and Then songs are seen as magical melodies, calling upon spirits during meaningful ceremonies. During these rituals, the singer, often a shaman called “Thầy Then” (Then master), communicates with spirits to ask for protection and blessings. The singing is beautifully accompanied by the Đan Tinh, a traditional stringed instrument whose gentle melodies add an enchanting touch to the whole experience.

There are several regional variations of Then, each with its own special characteristics. In Bac Kan, Then often stands out for its storytelling and soft singing style, recounting old stories, legends, folktales, and also modern themes like daily life, love, nature, and even modern achievements. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2019, Hat Then is actively preserved and promoted in Bac Kan by dedicated clubs. These clubs organize cultural exchanges, classes for young people, and public performances, making sure this precious tradition is passed down to future generations. Throughout the province, and especially in the Cho Đon, Na Rì, Bach Thong districts and Bac Kan city, villages also take part in this effort to keep the tradition alive.

Today, Hat Then is evolving, sometimes including modern lyrics that reflect current social and political hopes, which helps it stay relevant and dynamic. It’s also performed on stage, at local festivals (like the spring festival in Ba Be) and tourist events, gaining more visibility through local media.

► The Tay of Ba Be: A Fascinating People of Vietnam

Histoiry & culture

Chua Pho Cu was built over 120 years ago, around 1906, during the reign of Emperor Thành Thái (18th year of reign). Closely tied to Buddhist tradition and the spiritual life of the region’s inhabitants, it hosts traditional festivals and cultural events while preserving important historical values for the people of Ba Bể.

Recently, a ceremony was held to cast a large bell (Đại hồng chung), enhancing the spiritual value of the place and attracting more visitors.

Tourism & experiences

Visitors to Ba Bể are advised to visit Chùa Phố Cũ along with exploring Ba Bể Lake and its surroundings. An exceptional opportunity to discover the local Buddhist architecture and culture in the temple.

► Ba Be: A National Park That Stands Out

So, what’s the deal with these stilt houses anyway?

Picture a house made entirely of wood, perched up on these sturdy poles.

These stilts, which can be up to 2 meters high, aren’t just there for show!

They protect the people living there from dampness, floods, and wild animals.

And for some, they even symbolize the separation between the world of humans and the spirit world.

Every little detail matters.

For example, the stilts represent the connection to the nourishing earth, the foundation of the family.

A Staircase Like No Other

The entrance to a Tay house is often marked by a unique and special staircase.

In Tay culture, this staircase traditionally has nine steps, a lucky number that symbolizes good fortune, prosperity, and fertility.

Making it up those steps without tripping is considered a good omen.

A Community Living Space

Once you’re inside, you’ll find big, open spaces – perfect for community living.

Right in the center of it all, the ancestral altar is the spiritual heart of the house, a sacred place where past generations are honored and where the connection to them is kept alive.

Another essential spot: the kitchen.

It’s way more than just a place to cook meals; it’s the soul of the house, a source of warmth, light, and good vibes, where the spirit of the fire reigns, ensuring luck and abundance.

► Travelogue: The Artisan Treasures of Ba Be National Park

Origins and legend

The history of the Xuan Duong market is rooted in a legend: a pair of lovers separated by fate would meet up once a year. The villagers, moved by their story, perpetuated this meeting, giving birth to the Xuan Duong love market. This year, 2025, it was held on solar April 22 and 23 (lunar March 25-26), with the theme “The colors of the Nung Village”.

Rituals and customs

The Xuan Duong market is a place of reunion, not just a commercial market. Participants, dressed in their traditional costumes, gather to exchange news and share emotions. Sli singing, a Nung form of sung expression, plays a central role in these exchanges. It’s a way of communicating, renewing ties and even forming new couples. The lyrics of Sli songs deal with various aspects of life and help to strengthen social bonds.

► The Nung of Bac Kan

Cultural evolution and significance

The Xuan Duong market has evolved into a genuine cultural and tourist festival. Traditional songs and costumes are showcased, ensuring that traditions are passed on to younger generations. Despite the changes, the Bac Kan Love Market remains an important event, combining tradition and modernity.

A botanical garden
on a grand scale

The park’s rainforest is a veritable giant botanical garden, where century-old trees, sometimes reaching 50 meters in height, stretch their tops towards the sky. Among this lush vegetation, you’ll discover wild orchids in vibrant colors, giant bamboos and a multitude of medicinal plants, treasures used by local communities. For botany enthusiasts, Ba Be is an exceptional place: there are more than 1,300 plant species, including around 200 species of orchids. Some of these orchids are endemic, making Ba Be the most diverse region for orchids in Vietnam and throughout Southeast Asia. The forest, mainly composed of evergreen trees, thrives on limestone soil.

Astonishing fauna at every turn

The national park is a veritable Noah’s Ark, home to an incredibly varied fauna:

In the trees: Primates, like the agile Francois’ langur with its adorable black face, move gracefully from branch to branch. In the sky: More than 200 species of birds color the sky with their plumage, from the majestic silver pheasant to the sparkling kingfisher.
Underwater: Ba Be Lake, meanwhile, is home to unique aquatic species, such as the giant golden carp and various freshwater turtles.
In the caves: The dark depths are home to bats, nocturnal butterflies and perfectly camouflaged snakes.

► Timeout observing animals : The fauna of Ba Be National Park facing climate change

Ba Be and ecotourism:
A positive balance

Established in 1992 and spanning over 10,000 hectares, the park has seen local authorities commit to ecotourism development for over twenty years. The goal is twofold: to preserve this natural gem while offering visitors an authentic and enriching experience.

Today, around ten villages welcome travelers, offering homestay accommodations, outdoor activities such as hiking, peaceful boat trips, and explorations of fascinating caves, along with delicious local cuisine. The economic benefits of this approach directly support local communities, who actively engage in the park’s management and protection.

► Discover the ethnic minorities of Ba Be National Park

Tips for a respectful stay in Ba Be

Before your trip

• Favor the low season to enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere, away from tourist crowds.
• Learn about local traditions and become aware of the specific environmental issues in the region.
• Travel light and bring a water bottle, reusable bag, and personal cutlery.
• Opt for public or shared transportation from Hanoi, promoting sustainable mobility.

A deep dive into geological marvels

The imposing limestone cliffs that stand sentinel along the Nang River’s banks serve as a profound testament to the region’s rich and intricate geological history. The river’s course, a mesmerizing dance of water and stone, meanders through a quintessential karst landscape—a geological phenomenon of extraordinary beauty, born from the patient erosion of soluble limestone rocks. This protracted process, unfolding over millions of years, has etched a complex network of hidden caves, subterranean rivers, and unique, otherworldly rock formations into the very fabric of the land. The myriad caves and cavities that punctuate the rugged rock faces are adorned with intricate formations of stalactites and stalagmites, creating a subterranean realm of unparalleled fascination. The river itself, with its crystal-clear, serene waters, acts as a mirror, reflecting the ever-changing hues of the sky and the verdant, luxuriant vegetation that embraces it.

► Ba Be, travel guide 2025

Activities for everyone

The Nang River and its surrounding environs provide an idyllic playground for those with a passion for outdoor pursuits. Leisurely boat excursions offer the perfect vantage point for appreciating the picturesque landscapes that grace the river’s edges, while invigorating hiking and cycling expeditions unveil panoramic vistas of the majestic mountains that encircle the valley. A refreshing dip in the river’s cool, inviting waters provides a welcome respite, especially during the sweltering heat of summer. Furthermore, the Ba Be region, celebrated for its awe-inspiring caves, offers access to some of the most stunning examples of subterranean beauty, with the Nang River serving as a natural conduit to these hidden wonders. Puong Cave, in particular, with its dramatic and imposing limestone formations, stands as an unmissable highlight for any visitor.

► Ba Be Nature Escape 3 days 2 nights

Origins and significance

This delicious dish is prepared from small fish called “cá mương” (Hemiculter leucisculus), a variety of wild carp that inhabit the waters of Ba Be Lake. Despite their small size, these fish offer firm and delicately sweet flesh, perfect for grilling. The recipe for Grilled Fish Pac Ngoi is a precious heritage of the Tày ethnic group, established in Pac Ngòi, a charming village nestled on the lake’s shores.

► The Tay of Ba Be: A Fascinating People of Vietnam

Traditional preparation

The preparation of Grilled Fish Pac Ngoi is a true ritual. The fish are carefully cleaned and gutted, then delicately pinched between bamboo sticks. They are then sun-dried for several days, an essential process to firm up their flesh. Once dried, they are marinated with a blend of local spices, such as forest pepper (Mac khen), chili, turmeric, and salt, giving them unique flavors. Finally, the fish are grilled over a wood fire, a cooking method that imparts an incomparable smoky flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

1946-1954 : The First Indochina War

During the First Indochina War, which pitted the Việt Minh against the French colonial power, Ba Be, with its rugged topography and low population density, proved to be a strategic refuge for the independence forces. Its dense forests, dotted with caves and steep terrain, offered an ideal natural sanctuary for fighters and cadres of the nationalist movement. Far from the major cities and French-controlled areas, Ba Be could serve as a rear base, a training ground, and a discreet gathering point. Moreover, its proximity to the Chinese border, which became a major supporter of the Việt Minh after 1949, made it a possible transit route for the shipment of resources and materials. The local communities, mainly composed of the Tày, Nùng, and Dao ethnic groups, also played a role, offering their knowledge of the terrain, logistical support, and discretion to the Việt Minh forces

A Journey through History

200 to 300 years ago, the ancestors of the Nùng left their homeland to settle in Vietnam. Today, they form one of the country’s most important ethnic minorities, with over a million people. Their close ties with the Tày and Zhuang people reflect a shared history and a strong cultural identity.

Architecture, Reflecting a Way of Life

The traditional houses of the Nùng, whether on stilts or made of rammed earth (trinh tuong), are designed to adapt to the mountainous environment and climate. The yin-yang tiled roofs and spaces dedicated to storage, animals, and daily life are testimony to their ingenuity and respect for nature.

► The Tays of Ba Be: A Mosaic of Traditions

Language, Religion, and Spirituality

The Nùng language, belonging to the Tai-Kadai group, serves as a bridge to their origins and linguistic cousins. Their spirituality is a blend of animism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, where ancestor worship and shamanic ceremonies hold a central place. The veneration of figures like Quan Âm (Guanyin) highlights the richness of their pantheon.