Boating on Ba Be Lake: Puong Cave, Fairy Pond, Dau Dang Waterfall, boat rental prices and travel tips

Nestled in the mountains and forests of Viet Bac, Ba Be Lake is a large natural freshwater lake situated within Ba Be National Park, recognized as a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance). Boating across the emerald lake surface, gliding through Puong Cave, and visiting Fairy Pond and Dau Dang Waterfall offer an experience very different from the seaside. This article covers how to get around by boat, reference prices and practical tips.

Where is Ba Be Lake?

Ba Be Lake previously belonged to Bac Kan Province and now falls under Thai Nguyen Province following the administrative reorganization in 2025. The lake sits at an elevation of approximately 145 m, stretches over 8 km in length, and is surrounded by limestone mountains and forests. From Hanoi, you can travel by car or bus for over 200 km to reach the lake.

The emerald surface of Ba Be Lake amid mountains and forests. Photo: Pilip / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Boating on the lake: routes and reference prices

• Motorboat: rented by route at the Ba Be boat dock; reference prices from approximately 200,000 to 800,000 VND per boat depending on the route; each boat holds a maximum of around 10–12 passengers.

• Kayak: approximately 150,000 VND per hour for 2 people.

• Dugout canoe, wooden boat: slow-paced paddling, ideal for sightseeing and photography.

• Ba Be National Park entrance ticket: reference price approximately 46,000 VND per adult; some caves charge a separate fee.

Common stops on a boat trip

• Puong Cave: the Nang River flows through the heart of the mountain; boats pass through a long, high-ceilinged cave.

• Fairy Pond: a small pond up in the mountains, reached by a short hike from the dock.

• Ba Goa Island and An Ma Temple: associated with the legend of Ba Be Lake's origin.

• Dau Dang Waterfall: a waterfall cascading over multiple rocky tiers, reached by boating upstream along the Nang River.

• Pac Ngoi Village: a Tay ethnic village on the lakeshore with many stilt-house homestays.

A boat passing through Puong Cave, where the Nang River flows through the mountain. Photo: Ba Be National Park / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

What is the best time to visit?

Around February to April the weather is cool and pleasant. In summer the lake is full and green, but rain is possible. Regardless of the season, early mornings and evenings at Ba Be are quite cool, so bring a jacket.

An ancient tree stretching out over the surface of Ba Be Lake. Photo: Pilip / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Where to stay and what to eat?

• Stilt-house homestays in Pac Ngoi and Bo Lu villages: experience Tay ethnic life; prices vary by room type.

• Local specialties: grilled fish, smoke-dried meat, sausage, forest bamboo shoots, wild vegetables.

Practical tips

• Wear a life jacket when boating or kayaking.

• Bring grip-soled shoes for climbing to Fairy Pond and visiting the waterfall.

• Bring insect repellent and a light jacket.

• Agree clearly on the route, duration and price before boarding the boat.

Boat rental fees and admission prices are subject to change. Please verify before your trip.

Photo credits

Featured image: "Babenp 2007 01 1" – Rolf Müller / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Photos within the article are credited directly beneath each image.