By ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

With photo contributions from Ba Be National Park, Pamela Q. Reblora, Rhia C. Galsim, Bianca Schlegel, and Norman Lopez.

Ba Be National Park

Covering 100 sq km, the park is named after Ba Be Lake, Viet Nam’s largest and highest, natural freshwater lake, at an elevation of 150 metres.

Read

Ba Be villagers on a boat (2013) by Ba Be National ParkASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Ba Be Lake

The Lake is the centrepiece of a landscape dominated by limestone mountains and covered in thick forest. Ba Be actually means "three lakes" or Slam Pe in the local Tay language, and refers to the Pe Leng, Pe Lu, and Pe Lam Lakes.

Villagers by the islet (2013) by Ba Be National ParkASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Ba Be is a continuous body of water with numerous small inlets and islets, stretching nearly 8 km from north to south. Ba Be is sometimes referred to  as the “Ha Long Bay of the mountains”.

Limestone mountain (2015) by Ba Be National ParkASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

The park is a habitat for 81 species of mammals, 22 of which are rare and threatened. These include the Francois’ langur and Owston’s banded civet. The Vietnamese salamander was discovered in the streams of the buffer zone. The park has a rich natural lake for fish biodiversity.

Cows bathing (2015) by Ba Be National ParkASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Boat tours are available for visitors to see a wonderful view of the forest, limestone mountains, caves, and temples. The tours pass through the Nang River where water buffalos can be spotted enjoying a swim. Fields of rice and corn and villages around the park can also be seen.

Tap to explore

Butterfly in Ba Be National Park (2015) by Ba Be National ParkASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Wildlife in Ba Be National Park

• 1,268 species of plants
• 322 species of birds
• 106 species of fish
• 81 species of mammals
• 27 species of reptiles
• 17 species of amphibians

Ba Be National Park was one of the pilot sites of the Biodiversity-based Products (BBP) as an Economic Source for the Improvement of Livelihoods and Biodiversity Protection project funded by the German government through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit GmbH and implemented by the GFA Consulting Group and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.

Bo khai Harvest (2018) by Pamela RebloraASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Bo Khai

The vegetable bo khai has been enjoyed for its taste and medicinal properties. Due to this, the plants’ availability in the wild started to decline as the people were not aware of the sustainable means of harvesting the plant.

For this, the BBP project was implemented to help locals on the proper growing and harvesting of bo khai, while protecting the biodiversity around them.

Ba Be Honey (2018) by Bianca Schlegel / Norman Eric LopezASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Ba Be Honey

Honey production is particularly suitable in areas surrounding Ba Be National Park, given the warm climate and the lush vegetation that serves as an abundant source of nectar for the bees.

Aiming to upgrade the honey value chain in the park, the BBP project promoted advanced beekeeping methods to the farmers, and aims at building a honey brand for Ba Be National Park.

Boats docked in Ba Be (2013) by Ba Be National ParkASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Learn more about Ba Be National Park

For more information, visit
https://www.vuonquocgiababe.com

Planning a visit? Message us at
vuonquocgia.bb@backan.gov.vn

AHP logo by ACBASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

ASEAN Heritage Parks

ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) are protected areas of high conservation importance that provide valuable contributions to safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity. 

AHPs provide a window to the world, showcasing a wealth of biodiversity that is uniquely ASEAN.

Credits: Story

With photo contributions from Ba Be National Park, Pamela Q. Reblora, Rhia C. Galsim, Bianca Schlegel, and Norman Lopez.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.