Ba Be Lake in the autumn foliage season: rowing a boat amidst ancient forests.

The ancient forests surrounding Ba Be Lake are turning golden-orange, their reflections shimmering on the turquoise water in the thin winter mist. Experiencing a boat ride through this tranquil space, listening to the rhythmic sound of the oars and admiring the changing colors of the primeval forest canopy is a rare moment at one of the world's top 20 most beautiful freshwater lakes, as ranked by UNESCO.

Discover Ba Be Lake during the autumn foliage season.

Ba Be Lake covers an area of ​​approximately 500 hectares, is over 8 km long, reaches a depth of 35 meters, and contains 90 million cubic meters of water. Located in Thai Nguyen province, the lake was formed more than 200 million years ago during the process of continental uplift, and is surrounded by limestone mountains and primeval forests.

The vegetation, cliffs, clumps of wild orchids, and underground streams blend together, keeping the water's surface a deep blue year-round. When winter arrives, a light mist covers the lake, and the ancient forest simultaneously turns yellow-orange, highlighting the sheer limestone cliffs and the ancient trees reaching towards the clouds.

Amidst the calm waters are clusters of small islands covered with ancient trees, their foliage gradually turning yellow-green in late autumn and early winter. As you sail down the lake, the limestone ecosystem becomes clearly visible: ancient trees clinging precariously to cliffs dozens of meters high, their roots deeply embedded in the crevices of the rocks.

Indigenous culture amidst the mist.

Beyond its scenic beauty, Ba Be Lake is also associated with the legend of the Widow's Island and the cultural life of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups living along the lake. In the thin mist, the sounds of the zither and the traditional folk songs resonate, creating an atmosphere that is both mysterious and warm.

Life by the lake remains simple and unhurried. On the calm water, tourist boats take visitors on explorations, stopping at spots known only to locals where sunlight touches the lake and the mountains are reflected in the forest.

Ba Be Lake through the lens of a photographer.

Photographer Nguyen Quynh Anh – Roi shared: “I have traveled to many places and photographed many beautiful scenes, but the trip to Ba Be in early winter brought a very different feeling. Amidst the changing colors of the leaves and the mist-covered lake, I felt an indescribable peace. What moved me most was the journey on the dugout canoe steered by Tay women. They understood every rhythm of the water, every mountain crevice, and took me to spots only the locals knew – where the sunlight touched the lake's surface, where the forest and mountains reflected, creating rare and beautiful images.”

“Every shot that day not only captured beautiful moments, but also served as a tribute to the women who silently preserve the pristine beauty of Ba Be. This trip gave me more than just photos – it's a truly precious memory,” said photographer Nguyen Quynh Anh – Roi.

Fact-checking information

• Scale: approximately 500 hectares; over 8 km long; up to 35 meters deep; estimated water volume of about 90 million cubic meters.
• Location and geomorphology: Situated in Thai Nguyen province; formed over 200 million years ago; surrounded by limestone mountain ranges and primeval forests.
• Recognition: Once ranked among the Top 20 most beautiful freshwater lakes in the world by UNESCO.

Suggested experiences and timings

• The changing of the leaves: In late autumn and early winter, the old-growth forests along the lake simultaneously turn yellow and orange, and a thin mist covers the water's surface.
• On the lake: Take a boat ride on a chilly winter morning to admire the scenery and capture the moment when the ancient forest is reflected on the lake's surface.