Thac Ba Lake is one of the three largest and most magnificent lakes in Vietnam, situated in Yen Bai Province, approximately 180 kilometers from Hanoi. Adorned with countless undulating large and small islets, Thac Ba Lake is affectionately renowned as the “Ha Long Bay on Land.” Join us as we delve into the timeless allure of this landlocked marvel!
An Introduction to Thac Ba Lake
Thac Ba Lake is the largest artificial reservoir in Northern Vietnam, located in Yen Bai Province. The lake was formed by damming the Chay River to construct the Thac Ba Hydroelectric Power Plant in the 1960s, designed to supply electricity to the northern region and aid in flood prevention. With a capacity of 108 MW across three generator units, the Thac Ba Hydroelectric Plant was officially inaugurated in 1971.
Thac Ba Lake
Spanning an expansive area of approximately 23,400 hectares, Thac Ba Lake stretches 80 kilometers in length and holds between 3 to 3.9 billion cubic meters of water. Positioned along the Chay River, it lies about 180 kilometers northwest of Hanoi via National Highway 2 or National Highway 32. Often referred to as Ha Long Bay on land, the lake features over 1,300 large and small islands, creating breathtaking scenery of mountains and water intertwined, alongside mystical caves steeped in captivating legends. Thanks to its vast surface area, immense water volume, and verdant forested islands, the climate around Thac Ba Lake is remarkably cool and refreshing. Even in the height of summer, temperatures here remain 1–2 ºC lower than the regional average, while moisture rising from the water ensures a soothing atmosphere on even the most sweltering days.
The Memorial Monument
Beyond its picturesque landscapes, Thac Ba Lake is a repository of profound historical milestones. In 1285, it was the site of the historic Thu Vat battle led by Tran Nhat Duat, which decimated a Mongol-Yuan army corps. Numerous central agencies during the French resistance also operated in the upper lake region. Mong Son Cave, nestled in the heart of the lake, served as the workspace for the Yen Bai Provincial Party Committee during the American War. The lake region within Luc Yen District also houses numerous historical relics, such as Dai Cai Temple, Mammoth Cave, Sao Pagoda, and Black Robe King Mountain. Furthermore, archaeologists have unearthed precious relics of ancient Vietnamese civilizations here.
Recognized for its stunning scenery and heroic historical heritage, the Thac Ba Hydroelectric Lake was officially designated as a National Historical and Scenic Site in September 1996. Later, on June 18, 2021, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism issued a decision amending its designation to the Thac Ba Lake Historical and Scenic Relic Area.
Notable Attractions at Thac Ba Lake
1. Thac Ba Hydroelectric Power Plant
Thac Ba Lake is an irresistible destination for travelers passionate about nature exploration. A leisurely boat cruise allows visitors to admire the verdant islands stretching across the shimmering waters, embracing a sense of profound serenity and escape from everyday life. One of the most remarkable landmarks here is the Thac Ba Hydroelectric Plant, a structure of paramount economic and national defense significance for Vietnam. Built during a turbulent era of hardship, the plant was realized through Vietnamese-Soviet cooperation, taking seven years to complete from 1964 to 1971 across two phases: design surveys and construction.
Thac Ba Hydroelectric Power Plant
The Thac Ba Hydroelectric Plant not only powers the daily lives and industrial production of Northern Vietnam’s residents but also fulfills vital roles in flood regulation, tourism development, and the preservation of the local ecosystem and environment. It stands as an enduring symbol of national development and international cooperation.
Upon visiting the Thac Ba Hydroelectric Plant, guests are invited to admire its unique architectural feats, massive mural walls narrating the plant’s construction, and priceless historical artifacts. Visitors may also tour the machine rooms and electrical equipment chambers to gain a deeper understanding of the plant’s operational principles.
2. Thac Ba Mau Temple
Following the exploration of the Thac Ba Hydroelectric Plant, travelers can seamlessly extend their journey to Thac Ba Mau Temple—a revered spiritual sanctuary located nearby. Thac Ba Mau Temple is an ancient and sacred shrine erected in memory of Princess Minh Dat, a revered Vietnamese goddess dispatched by the Hung Kings to govern the Chay River and Thac Ba region. Princess Minh Dat guided the local people in agriculture, textile weaving, and economic prosperity. Following her passing, the populace deified her as the Holy Mother and constructed the temple in her honor. In addition to Princess Minh Dat, the temple honors the Tam Phu (Three Realms Deities) who govern heaven, the underworld, and humanity, alongside the Ngu Vi Ton Ong (Five Supreme Mandarins).
Thac Ba Mau Temple
Thac Ba Mau Temple boasts a distinctive and harmonious architectural design comprising 11 compartments divided into three chambers: the outer hall (Dai Bai), the middle chamber (Trung Cung), and the inner sanctum (Hau Cung). The temple houses numerous exquisite gilded wooden statues and high-value artistic hanging scrolls. It also preserves royal decrees bestowed by various dynasties upon Princess Minh Dat and other deities, cementing its status as an invaluable historical and cultural landmark of Yen Bai Province and the nation.
3. The Cave System
After spending hours drifting gently across the waves, visitors can explore Thuy Tien Cave, Xuan Long Cave, Cao Bien Mountain, Chang Re Mountain, Thac Ong Temple, and Thac Ba Temple. Alternatively, travelers can journey up the Chay River into the precious gemland of Luc Yen to visit Sao Pagoda, Dai Cai Temple, and the verdant Khai Trung Valley, all steeped in the distinctive and vibrant cultures of the Tay and Dao ethnic communities.
Thuy Tien Cave
Among the remarkable cave systems surrounding Thac Ba Lake, Thuy Tien Cave holds a premier place. Located deeply within the mountain heart for about 100 meters, this sanctuary preserves historical records of Vu Van Mat, a Le Dynasty chieftain, and served as the workplace for the Yen Bai Provincial Party Committee during the American resistance. Thuy Tien Cave is also woven into the enchanting legend of nine celestial fairies who slipped away from the Jade Emperor to wander the mortal realm. Touring the cave to admire nature’s masterworks—an array of brilliantly colored stalactites tied to mesmerizing folklore—creates a surreal, dreamlike sensation, allowing guests to shed all worldly fatigue and worries.
4. Cao Bien Mountain
Cao Bien Mountain is the highest and longest mountain range flanking Thac Ba Lake, offering visitors panoramic vistas of the lake’s mystical beauty veiled in morning mist. From the summit, travelers can also catch sight of Ngoc Market and Nga Market, famous historical trading hubs of Thac Ba. Cruising by canoe along the Chay River leads guests directly to the gemland of Luc Yen, renowned for cultural and historical monuments such as Sao Pagoda and Dai Cai Temple, alongside exquisite natural gemstone paintings crafted by skilled local artisans.
Cao Bien Mountain
5. Lakeside Villages of Thac Ba
The lakeside villages of Thac Ba offer visitors an immersive glimpse into the unique cultural heritage of ethnic minority groups such as the Tay, Nung, Mong, Dao, Phu La, and Cao Lan. Here, guests can partake in traditional festivities, including the Tay community’s autumn New Rice celebration or the Dao ethnic group’s Dancing Tet, featuring spirited choreography depicting daily community life. Travelers can also experience the rustic, tranquil lifestyle of stilt houses nestled amid palm forests, observe the traditional craft of shrimp basket weaving, and admire Dao women adorned in vibrantly embroidered traditional attire. As night falls, guests are treated to sweet folk melodies and an array of delectable regional specialties, such as bamboo-tube rice (com lam), forest banana flower salad, free-range chicken cooked with sour bamboo shoots, fish salad, and shrimp salad. Ngoi Tu Village is one such lakeside community developed to welcome international guests, annually attracting hundreds of delegations from Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, Australia, and the overseas Vietnamese diaspora.
