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Ba Be Itinerary 5 Days In Vietnam: A Review By The Martine Family

Saturday, December 21, 2024 Experiences of customers Noah

Review of the 5-day Ba Be itinerary

Considered one of Vietnam's most beautiful national parks, a 5-day Ba Be itinerary will take you to the country's largest natural freshwater lake. Located in Bac Kan province in northern Vietnam, Ba Be Lake is home to various fish, including some scarce species. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to go trekking in Ba Be National Park, admire breathtaking natural landscapes, and explore the local flora. Discover the 5-day Ba Be itinerary of the Martine family and immerse yourself in their authentic and memorable experiences during this journey!

I. Overview of the 5-Day Ba Be itinerary
II. Detailed Ba Be itinerary 5 days
III. Weather Ba Be 5 days - Forecast for a trip

I. Overview of the 5-Day Ba Be itinerary

We booked a 5-day trekking tour to Ba Be with the Vietnam travel agency Autour Asia. As our entire family loves outdoor activities, we chose this itinerary to explore the wild and majestic landscapes of northern Vietnam.

We spent 3 days exploring Ba Be Lake and its national park before discovering the natural wonders of Cao Bang, including Nguom Ngao Cave and Ban Gioc Waterfalls, located on the border between Vietnam and China.

Our 5-Day Ba Be travel itinerary:

Day 1: Hanoi - Ba Be Lake
Day 2: Hiking at Ba Be National Park
Day 3: Ba Be National Park - Boat trip in the lake
Day 4: Ba Be - Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Nguom Ngao Cave
Day 5: Cao Bang - Lenin stream - Hanoi

II. Detailed Ba Be itinerary 5 days

1. Day 1: Hanoi - Ba Be Lake

In the morning, our driver picked us up from the hotel to head towards Bac Kan, marking the start of our 5-day Ba Be journey. Our first destination was Ba Be Lake, often referred to as the "Halong Bay of the mountains".

The road to Ba Be Lake was quite easy to follow, and the scenery along the way was stunning, especially the vast, lush tea plantations that our guide mentioned were located in Thai Nguyen province. It’s a place we would love to return to if the opportunity arises.

Ba Be Lake - A must-see on the 5-day Ba Be itinerary

We arrived at Ba Be Lake in the afternoon. The lake is truly beautiful, with its calm, crystal-clear waters surrounded by towering, majestic mountains. That same afternoon, we visited the Mua Ha and Puong Caves. Both caves are home to spectacular stalactite formations and landscapes full of mystery.

In the evening, we stayed in a homestay of a Tay family in the Pac Ngoi village, where we enjoyed their local specialties. The accommodation was very clean and comfortable, which also gave us the chance to interact directly with the locals and learn more about their way of life.

2. Day 2: Hiking at Ba Be National Park

Day 2, our trekking adventure in Ba Be began. After breakfast, we started a 5 km walk to the village of Mo. There, we discovered a charming, peaceful village nestled at the foot of the mountains, where the always-smiling locals greeted us warmly. We took the opportunity to snap some photos and rest before continuing our journey to the village of Qua, where we had lunch.

After a well-deserved break, the afternoon was dedicated to a hike through the valleys of Ba Be National Park. These valleys offer breathtaking natural landscapes, dotted with ethnic villages. Although the afternoon trek was more challenging, it was rewarded with unforgettable encounters with the local people. We then returned to rest at a homestay, concluding the second day of our 5-day trip at Ba Be.

Trekking in Ba Be National Park

3. Day 3: Ba Be National Park - Boat trip in the lake

Day 3, we had a unique experience as we took a boat ride to the village of Coc Toc during our 5-day Ba Be itinerary. It was a truly relaxing break, immersed in crystal-clear waters and surrounded by lush nature.

We then continued with a hike to the villages of Khau Qua and Nam Dai, inhabited by the Hmong ethnic group. Although the trekking path was made of dirt and stones, the spectacular landscapes more than made up for it, reflecting the peaceful life of the Hmong people in Ba Be.

We had the opportunity to share lunch with the Hmong locals before returning to the village of Coc Toc, where we took a boat back to the village of Pac Ngoi, where we spent the night.

Boat trip - An activity to do on the 5-day Ba Be itinerary

4. Day 4: Ba Be - Cao Bang - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Nguom Ngao Cave

After our trip to Ba Be, we set off in the morning towards Cao Bang to visit the Ban Gioc waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam. We arrived at Ban Gioc around noon and had lunch at a local restaurant before continuing our trek to the waterfall, which stands 53 meters tall and is divided into three levels. Visiting Ban Gioc waterfall was a magnificent and unforgettable experience.

Majestic landscape at Ban Gioc Waterfall

Next, we explored the Nguom Ngao Cave. Our guide explained that this is the longest cave in northern Vietnam, filled with fascinating stories related to the Tay ethnic group. Our cave visit covered nearly 2 km, with a variety of impressive rock formations.

After these discoveries, we returned to the center of Cao Bang for the night, marking the last evening of our travel itinerary in Ba Be for 5 days.

5. Day 5: Cao Bang - Lenin stream - Hanoi

On the final day of our 5 days in Ba Be, we visited the Lenin Stream in the morning, where we explored the site where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. The natural scenery around Lenin Stream was stunning, with its bright blue water winding through the valley and the Cac Mac mountains. We returned to Hanoi in the evening, thus concluding our 5-day Ba Be itinerary.

Lenin Stream in Vietnam

III. Weather Ba Be 5 days - Forecast for a trip

Throughout our stay, the weather Ba Be 5 days was quite pleasant. In November, the climate was not too hot, with clear skies and clean water, providing an ideal setting for trekking activities.

Our guide advised us that, apart from the rainy season in the middle of the year, which can make visits less convenient, the rest of the year in Ba Be is beautiful and attracts many visitors.

Here is the full review from the Martine family about their 5-day itinerary to Ba Be. We hope this information will be useful for your upcoming trip to Vietnam. Feel free to contact Autour Asia for a quick response from our professional travel advisors!

You can refer to:

> Camping Ba Be

> Bac Kan travel guide

> Vietnam North tour

> Trekking Ba Be

5/5 - (1001 Vote)

Castro

5.0 Excellent

How do I get to Ba Be?

To reach Ba Be from Hanoi, you can take a bus or private car heading to Bac Kan province, which is around 230 kilometers away. The drive usually takes about 5-6 hours, passing through picturesque countryside landscapes.

Alternatively, you can take a local bus from Hanoi’s My Dinh bus station to Bac Kan, and then hire a local taxi or motorbike to Ba Be Lake.

For a more convenient option, consider booking with a travel agency that includes transportation and a tour guide. The road to Ba Be is well-paved, though some parts may be winding, so be prepared for a scenic yet comfortable journey.

Costello

5.0 Excellent

What to eat in Ba Be?

You can enjoy a variety of authentic Ba Be dishes. The area is known for its fresh ingredients, particularly from the surrounding mountains and lakes. Try sour shrimp (Tom chua), dried pork meat (thit lon gac bep), and bamboo shoots cooked with meat or fish (mang tay). Fresh fish from Ba Be Lake, such as snakehead fish (ca luon) and Pac Ngoi grilled fish, is also a local delicacy. Don't miss the wormwood cakes (banh day la ngai), and smoked sausage (lap suon hun khoi), which showcase the flavors of the ethnic minorities in the region.