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| Thac Ba Lake is increasingly receiving attention and investment for tourism |
Tourism at Thac Ba Lake 2024 is a completely new and different experience compared to previous years. This is due to more attention and investment in everything from infrastructure to the quality of customer service for tourists.
Thac Ba Lake in Yen Bai is famous as a beloved new eco-tourism destination, cherished by many travelers for its pristine nature and fresh air. The vast, crystal-clear lake surface is adorned with numerous small and large islands, creating a tranquil and romantic natural paradise.
1. Introducing Thac Ba Lake
1.1. Where is Thac Ba Lake located?
Thac Ba Lake covers an area of 20,000 hectares of water surface with 1,300 islands and a system of caves hidden deep in the mountains, stretching across two districts, Yen Binh and Luc Yen, in Yen Bai province, often likened to "Halong Bay on land". It is located 180 km from Hanoi city along National Highway 2 or National Highway 32 to the northwest.
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| Thac Ba Lake is considered "Ha Long Bay" on the mountain |
Thac Ba Lake is one of the three largest artificial lakes in Vietnam, with its large water surface area making it a diverse and rich natural museum. With the majestic landscape of limestone islands, natural cave systems hidden deep in the mountains, combined with the surrounding space of the lake surrounded by mountain ranges and pristine forests, it creates a beautiful natural picture. This place is not only an ideal tourist destination for families and friends but also a favorite destination for adventure enthusiasts.
Thac Ba Lake is also a place for tourists to experience the culture of 8 highland ethnic groups of Vietnam, such as the Tay, Dao, Hmong, and Cao Lan ethnic groups... Enjoying the intricate and flavorful dishes of the northwest region of Vietnam.
1.2. The history of the formation of Thac Ba Lake
Thac Ba Lake was formed in 1971 with the initial purpose of damming the Chay River to create a reservoir to supply water for the Thac Ba hydroelectric plant. After the completion of the Thac Ba hydroelectric plant, Thac Ba Lake has a water level fluctuating between 46m to 58m, holding about 3.9 billion cubic meters of water.
Thac Ba Lake is primarily fed by the Chay River, along with several other stream systems such as the Hanh Stream, the Cat Stream, the Tha Stream, which also contribute water to the lake. This influx of water increases sedimentation and diversifies the aquatic flora and fauna in the lake. In 1996, Thac Ba Lake was recognized as a national-level cultural and historical relic. By 2022, Thac Ba Lake has been planned for development into a central national tourist destination in the midlands and mountainous regions of Vietnam.
2. Traveling tips for Thac Ba Lake
2.1. How to get to Thac Ba Lake
- From Hanoi, if travelers go by motorbike, they will take National Route 2A, then National Route 2, until reaching the post office in Doan Hung town where there is a sign indicating a left turn towards Yen Bai. Follow this direction towards Yen Bai for 31km, and you'll reach the starting point at Thac Ba hydroelectric plant. The whole journey by motorbike takes about 4 hours.
- From Hanoi, take a bus from Hanoi to Thac Ba Town along the Hanoi - Lao Cai expressway, then exit at junction IC9. Afterward, take the Tuyen Quang - Phu Tho expressway and exit at the Doan Hung junction, Yen Bai. The ticket price is around 100,000 VND - 120,000 VND with a travel time of about 3 hours. Depart from Thac Ba hydroelectric plant.
- Travelers can also travel to Yen Binh town to start their Thac Ba Lake tour from the Huong Ly boat dock. For adventure enthusiasts, they may prefer the route from Yen Binh town to Cau Moi - Road 170 - Vu Linh - O Do Waterfall.
2.2. Accommodation and boat rental services for Thac Ba Lake tourism
Travelers can choose to stay at hotels in Thac Ba Town, Yen Binh Town, or opt for accommodation at homestays along the lake and on islands within Thac Ba Lake. Prices range from around 1,200,000 VND to 1,600,000 VND for a bungalow, and 700,000 VND to 900,000 VND for a canvas tent on Thac Ba Paradise Islands. For homestays further away from the lake, prices are around 150,000 VND to 600,000 VND.
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| Thac Ba Paradise Islands provides accommodation services on an island in the heart of Thac Ba lake |
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| Homestay is popular with backpackers |
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| Thac Ba port |
2.3. The best time to visit Thac Ba Lake
In the summer, Thac Ba Lake has a larger, clearer water surface, so the climate at Thac Ba Lake is very cool. Although it's summer, the weather at Thac Ba Lake is very pleasant and comfortable. The large water surface area and lush trees on the islands also make it very beautiful, so the best time to visit Thac Ba Lake is in the summer.
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| Thac Ba Lake is always cool and pleasant in the summer |
3. Eating guide when traveling to Thac Ba Lake
When traveling to Thac Ba Lake, tourists can enjoy the delicious local dishes such as grilled fish, five-color sticky rice, bamboo-tube rice, banana flower salad, ant egg spring rolls, grilled hill chicken, and various types of wild vegetables. These dishes are part of the culinary culture of the Thac Ba Lake area, allowing you to experience and learn about the rich and diverse culinary culture of the northwest mountains of Vietnam.
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| Delicious local dishes such as grilled fish, five-color sticky rice, ant egg spring rolls... |
4. Places for fun and exploration on Thac Ba Lake
4.1. Thac Ba Temple
Thac Ba Temple, also known as Thac Ba Mother Temple, is located on Hoang Thi Mountain, at the foot of which is the Thac Ba hydroelectric plant. In the area of the parking lot for tourists, after passing through the gate of the temple, visitors will climb up 365 stone steps to reach Thac Ba Mother Temple.
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| Thac Ba Temple on top of Hoang Thi mountain |
Despite several renovations, the temple still retains its ancient appearance. Standing in the temple courtyard, visitors can overlook the entire first hydroelectric plant in Vietnam and admire the vast and beautiful sky over Thac Ba Lake.
4.2. Boat tour to admire Thac Ba Lake
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| Boat carrying tourists on Thac Ba Lake |
4.3. Visiting green islands and kayaking
Tourists can use kayak services at Green Island or Thac Ba Paradise Islands to experience the feeling of kayaking out into the vast lake, immersing themselves in the pristine nature, admiring the majestic scenery of the islands dotted across the tranquil, azure waters, and witnessing the sunset moments on the lake, which surely are unforgettable moments in the journey to Thac Ba Lake.
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| Green Island is the check-in location for Thac Ba Lake tourist area |
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| service area on green island |
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| Colorful flower garden on green island |
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| Kayaking on Thac Ba Lake |
Explore Green Island and take beautiful photos in the colorful flower gardens filled with Ban flowers, ancient roses, phoenix flowers... Enjoy BBQ parties on the islands or have meals at the floating restaurant on Green Island.
4.4. Thủy Tiên Cave
Thủy Tiên Cave is nestled within a limestone mountain and stretches approximately 100 meters long. The cave remains largely untouched, adorned with sparkling stalactites and stalagmites, including one that resembles nine fairies, each with a unique form, and linked to a captivating legend of love.
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| Stalactites shaped like nine different fairies in Narcissus Cave |
4.5. Thac Ba Hydroelectric Plant
The Thac Ba Hydroelectric Plant was completed on October 5th, 1971. It was the first hydroelectric plant in Vietnam, bringing significant economic and historical value to Yen Bai province and the country as a whole.
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| Thac Ba hydroelectric plant |
4.6. If you're an avid adventurer, you'll have more options
4.6.1. Explore Xuân Long Cave
Xuân Long Cave, also known as Cẩu Quẩy Cave or 9-Basket Cave, is located in the headwaters area of Thac Ba Lake, in Xuan Long commune, Yen Binh district, Yen Bai province. This is a very pristine and majestic cave, considered as the mountain version of Thien Cung Cave in Halong Bay.
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| Xuan Long cave is likened to the mountain version of Thien Cung cave |
4.6.2. O Do Waterfall
O Do Waterfall is located in Phuc An commune, Yen Binh district, Yen Bai province. The waterfall is part of the historical and cultural relic system of O Do Pagoda recognized by Yen Bai province as a provincial-level cultural and historical relic. When visiting this place, tourists not only discover and feel the peace and freedom but also witness the traces of an ancient story.
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| O Do waterfall flows gently on Tha stream |
4.6.3. Cao Ben Mountain
Cao Ben Mountain is located in Vu Linh commune, Yen Binh district, Yen Bai province, and it is the longest mountain range within Thac Ba Lake. It's a favorite spot for mountain climbers, to catch the sunrise or admire the sunset over Thac Ba Lake.
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| Cao Ben mountain |
4.6.4. Ngòi Tu Cultural Village
The Tu Ngòi Cultural Village in Vu Linh commune, Yen Binh district, Yen Bai province, is a place that attracts tourists with community-based tourism. Here, the peaceful stilt-house lifestyle of a mountainous village is preserved. Visitors can experience the slow, simple, and tranquil life here.
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| Peaceful scene in Ngoi Tu village |
5. Conclude
Based on the experience of congaitoiblog, traveling to Thac Ba Lake is still a very new destination for international tourists, with very few of them knowing about it. However, the quality of services here is quite good at present, making it worth considering for a trip with a time frame of 2 days and 1 night at Thac Ba Lake. Combining a trip to Thac Ba Lake with visits to other destinations in Yen Bai is totally reasonable, allowing you to discover new places and have different interesting experiences while in Yen Bai.
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