Spanning nearly 650 hectares, nestled beneath the towering limestone mountains and lush evergreen forests of Ba Be National Park, Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan province stands as one of Vietnam’s natural treasures. It is the country’s largest freshwater lake and ranks among the world’s top 20 freshwater lakes in need of conservation.
Locally known as “Slam Pé,” meaning “Three Lakes,” Ba Be Lake is formed by the convergence of three tributaries: Pé Lam, Pé Lu, and Pé Leng. Beyond its breathtaking natural beauty, the lake is steeped in fascinating folklore. Visitors can not only immerse themselves in its serene landscape but also uncover the legendary tale of Ba Be Lake, passed down through generations.
The Legend of Ba Be Lake
Long ago, in Bac Kan province, villagers held an annual festival at the start of the year to pray for blessings, prosperity, and bountiful harvests. On this special occasion, people dressed in their finest attire and gathered at the pagoda to offer prayers.
One year, during the festival, an old beggar woman appeared, pleading for food. However, her frail appearance, covered in scars and tattered clothing with a foul odor, led the villagers to reject her. Wherever she went, she repeated in a feeble voice, “I’m so hungry! Please give me something to eat!” Yet, no one showed her kindness; instead, they scorned and chased her away.
As night fell, the destitute woman, weak and exhausted, wandered to the village outskirts. There, she encountered a kind widow and her son returning home. Unlike the others, the widow took pity on her, invited her into their humble home, and shared their meager meal. She even offered the old woman a place to stay for the night.
That night, an eerie noise startled the widow and her son. Peeking into the guest’s room, they were terrified to see a colossal dragon coiled in the corner, its head resting on the rafters and its glowing body illuminating the darkness. Too frightened to move, they lay still until morning.
At dawn, the dragon had vanished, and the sickly old woman stood in its place. Before departing, she warned the widow of an impending flood and handed her a bag of ashes, instructing her to scatter them around the house for protection. She also broke a grain of rice in half and gifted them to the widow, telling her to use them wisely. Then, in the blink of an eye, the mysterious woman disappeared.
Alarmed, the widow and her son rushed to the village to warn the people, but their story was met with disbelief. That very night, as predicted, torrents of water erupted from the earth, triggering landslides and submerging the village. Panic ensued as the villagers scrambled to escape, but the devastation was swift—houses and land were swallowed in an instant.
Miraculously, the widow’s small home remained untouched, rising above the water as the surrounding land disappeared. Remembering the old woman’s gift, she dropped the two rice husks into the water, and in their place, two wooden boats appeared. Braving the storm, the widow and her son paddled tirelessly, rescuing as many villagers as they could.
When the floodwaters finally receded, the sun shone upon a transformed landscape—a vast lake had formed where the village once stood. The widow’s home had become a tiny island in the middle of the lake, later named “Go Ba Goa” or “Widow’s Island.”
This enduring legend serves as a powerful reminder of compassion, kindness, and the belief that those who act with a pure heart will receive blessings in return. To this day, Ba Be Lake remains not just a natural wonder but a place where folklore and history intertwine, enchanting all who visit.
