Ban Long Lake - A “Green Gem” at the Foot of Tam Dao

Nestled amidst the deep green forests of Tam Dao commune, Ban Long Lake emerges like a charming watercolor painting with emerald waters, rolling mountain ranges, and a rare peaceful atmosphere. Not yet heavily impacted by mass tourism activities, this place still retains its pristine, rustic beauty, becoming an attractive destination for nature lovers who enjoy exploring and seeking moments of relaxation amidst the vast forest.

Knowing the beauty of Ban Long Lake through friends and social media, every weekend, many tourists from Hanoi and neighboring localities travel here to camp and explore nature. The most bustling atmosphere usually occurs on Saturdays and Sundays, when groups of tourists pitch tents by the lake to enjoy the peace of the mountains and forests.

Panoramic view of the cool green Ban Long Lake at the foot of the mountain—a destination that still retains its pristine, poetic traits.

According to local residents, the lake was formed by damming the flow of the Hai Ve stream, contributing to the water supply for production and regulating the water source for the region. Over time, the clear blue lake surface together with the untouched natural scenery has created a unique beauty, attracting many people to visit and experience, especially on weekends.

Setting foot in Ban Long, visitors are easily mesmerized by the vast, placid lake surface acting like a mirror reflecting the clouds, sky, and endless green forests.

Surrounding the lake is the majestic Khe Thuong mountain range and the imposing Con Trau (Buffalo) Mountain casting their reflections on the water surface, creating a scene that is both poetic and open. In that peaceful space, the sound of forest birds, the cool breeze, and the pristine beauty of the mountains make it hard for anyone who visits even once to forget.

Local youth introducing the beauty and potential of Ban Long Lake.

Mr. Du Van Hai, a resident living near Ban Long Lake, shared: "Our locals still consider Ban Long Lake a gift bestowed by nature. In recent years, more people have come to know about it; especially on Saturdays and Sundays, quite a large number of tourists come to camp and sightsee. The villagers are very happy that our homeland is increasingly loved by many people."

Not only possessing a clear blue lake surface, the upstream area also features Tham Thinh Waterfall with white water cascading from a height of dozens of meters over vertical cliffs.

The sound of rushing water blending with the acoustics of the forest creates an enchanting symphony of nature. This is also a check-in point loved by many tourists due to its rare, pristine beauty.

Small tents by the stream bring an experiential opportunity for tourists to immerse themselves in nature.

Along the trail leading to the waterfall, visitors will encounter hillsides covered in the green of forest trees, clusters of purple rose myrtle and mua flowers blooming amidst the reeds. In the summer, swarms of colorful butterflies flutter around, creating a poetic scene that is hard to forget for anyone who visits.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Trinh, a tourist from Hanoi, said: "I learned about Ban Long Lake through a recommendation from friends. What impresses me the most is that this place still retains its untouched beauty, and the air is very fresh. The wide lake surface and the surrounding mountains and forests create a relaxing feeling. Walking from the lake up to Tham Thinh Waterfall is also a very interesting experience. Just standing in the middle of this scenery makes all weariness seem to vanish."

Tourists playfully and excitedly splashing around in the fresh, cool water at Tham Thinh Waterfall on summer days.

Thanks to its distinctive natural landscape, the lake is increasingly becoming an ideal destination for weekend picnics and camping activities. The flat land plots along the lake with spacious, airy spaces are suitable places to pitch tents, organize barbecues, light campfires, or simply sit and watch the calm lake surface under the starry sky.

For those who love exploration, the route from Ban Long Lake to Tham Thinh Waterfall offers many appealing experiences. Treading along the small, winding paths under the cool, green forest canopy, visitors have the chance to immerse themselves in nature, fully sensing the pristine beauty of the land at the foot of Tam Dao.

Ms. Le Thi Yen, a tourist from Viet Tri ward, shared: "My family often chooses places close to nature to rest on weekends. Ban Long Lake brings a very pleasant feeling—not crowded, not noisy. My children love camping and exploring nature. I think this place has great potential for eco-tourism development."

Not only attractive for its natural beauty, the lake also draws visitors by the rustic, sincere nature of the local people. The simple life of the fellow villagers here, the stilt houses nestled against the mountainside, and the joyful laughter amidst the peaceful space have created a unique allure for the land at the foot of Tam Dao.

According to leaders of the Culture - Social Affairs Department of Tam Dao commune, currently, although it has not been methodically invested in or exploited for tourism, Ban Long Lake is still widely known thanks to its pristine beauty, fresh air, and outstanding landscape. On weekends, many tourists from both inside and outside the province seek out the area to experience, camp, sightsee, and discover nature. A number of local households have also initialed serving tourists with a spirit of hospitality, contributing to promoting the beauty of the land at the foot of Tam Dao.

Amidst the increasingly bustling pace of modern life, Ban Long Lake still keeps for itself a peaceful and untouched beauty like a “green gem” hidden at the foot of Tam Dao. It has not been exploited for tourism on a large scale, but it is precisely the rustic, fresh beauty along with the hospitality of the local people that has made this place a destination sought out by many tourists to experience and discover every weekend.

Duong Chung