6 “Halong Bays on land” of the Northern Vietnam

If Halong Bay is too crowded for you to seek for some peaceful time among the romantic natural scenery created by limestone mountains and crystal water, then trying the totally refreshing experiences with these “Halong Bays on land” below in your upcoming Vietnam tours may be an interesting idea with a lot of surprises waiting for you.

1. Quan Son lake

Quan Son lake is less than 50km from Hanoi capital, so you can completely have a wonderful trip that is both interesting and affordable, which can save you not only time but also money, instead of a trip to Halong Bay. Quan Son Lake is beautiful and full of vitality of nearly 20 large and long mountains on the surface of the lake with a rich green vegetation. When coming here, you will be released from the terrible stress of daily life thanks to the lush grass and flower bushes, sit on the boat and admire the magnificent beauty of the immense water, enjoy the cool air and see the whole gorgeous landscape,…

Quan Son lake with its peaceful beauty

Sitting on a small boat floating on the water surface, and you will be able to admire the panorama of water painting which is both majestic, poetic with the Lion islet, Voi Phuc hill, Giang Xe peak, Trau Da Bac peak,… all give Quan Son lake an appearance as beautiful as a small Halong Bay right next to Hanoi. Once coming here, you won’t be able to ignore Linh Son cave, Ngoc Long cave and many ancient temples such as Linh Son Pagoda, Cao Pagoda, Ham Yen Pagoda,…

2. Van Long lagoon

Van Long Lake in Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province, is 3,500 ha wide and is considered as a giant mirror reflecting the beautiful sight of young animals. The water level in the pond is quite shallow, usually only 1 to 1.5m and very clear. When rowing boat on the lagoon, visitors can even observe the moss and fishes at the bottom.

Van Long lagoon always has an irresistible attraction to tourists

Coming to Van Long lagoon, tourists will have chance to get lost in a matrix of rocky mountains with interesting names such as: Meo Cao, Xam Xoi, Sam Sach, Dien, Mo Coi, Co Tien,… Especially, in the Fish cave, there are still some individuals of white-short monkeys living. If you come here at the right time, you can take pictures of them climbing or sitting on the cliffs.

Van Long lagoon is the most beautiful in the late Autumn, or early Winter. This is the time when the lagoon is green and calm like another Halong Bay without waves of the North, and also easy to see the flock of white storks flying.

3. Thung Nai

Located in the territory of Cao Phong, Thung Nai is a section of Da Phinh river before flowing into Hoa Binh hydroelectric reservoir. Rowing boat on Thung Nai, visitors can find countless rocks with various shapes appearing on the waves.

There are also small, uninhabited islets in the middle of the river with luxuriant vegetation. Guests can ask the boat owners to stop to visit Ms. Thac Bo Temple and Thac Bo waterfall.

The charm of Thung Nai

At night, when silver lights of the moon shines on the surface of the lake, creating a lively atmosphere for this place, you can rent a small boat and enjoy the romantic natural scenery in the middle of the lake, in the midst of silence, in the midst of a silver moonlight, sip a bit of wine with a delicious sour fish or a lightly grilled curd fish caught in the lake.

In addition, during the journey, we can also encounter many wild, majestic waterfalls, and famous Bo markets held on every Sunday.

4. Na Hang lake

Na Hang hydroelectricity (Na Hang district, Tuyen Quang province) is a confluence of rivers: Lo Gam, Nang and Nho Que. Besides, the lake also receives water of many amazing waterfalls such as Mo Waterfall, Pac Ban Waterfall,…

Na Hang lake

On Na Hang lake, there are many cliffs rising from the water and the most unique one is Cau Vai Mountain – a huge limestone mountain rising nearly 40m above the water. And Pac Ta Mountain in Tay means the breast of God and it also has the shape that is very similar to a breast.

You can come and visit the beautiful Na Hang hydroelectric lake in Autumn, but the really right time to visit this place is spring because often the traditional festival of Tay people.

5. Thac Ba lake

Thac Ba is one of the three largest artificial lakes in Vietnam. The lake is 80km long, located in Luc Yen and Yen Binh districts of Yen Bai province.

Previously, Thac Ba lake functioned only to provide water for the Thac Ba hydroelectric plant, but with over 1,300 islets and many cave paintings, now the lake has become an attractive tourist destination.

The peace on the surface of Thac Ba lake

Rowing boat on Thac Ba lake, we can visit famous places such as Thuy Ba cave, Xuan Long cave, Ma Mut cave, Sao pagoda, Black Outfit king mountain,… It can be said that Thac Ba lake is like a “Halong Bay on land” of the North.

6. Song Muc lake

Thanh Hoa has quite famous Song Muc Lake. Lake of Nhu Thanh district, Nhu Xuan district, nearly 4,000 ha. The water in the lake is green and calm all year round among the mysterious forests.

The pristine look of Song Muc lake

There are 21 islands in the green lake. If you go sightseeing by boat, you can visit Love Island or Twin Island with the trunk grows in pairs, tangerine together as love couples,…

In addition to the sites called “Halong bays on land” mentioned above, we can mention some similar tourist spots in the North, though not as typical as Nui Coc Lake – Thai Nguyen, Cam Son Lake – Bac Giang, Dai Lai – Vinh Phuc Lake,…you can find out all in our Hanoi tours.