VietNamNet Bridge – Ben En National Park in the northern province of Thanh Hoa looks like Halong Bay, the UNESCO-recognized World Heritage site in Quang Ninh Province, as it has 21 islets in an immense lake.

Boats carry visitors around Ben En.

From the center of Thanh Hoa Province, tourists should negotiate a 40-kilometer road with some twists and turns through forests to get to Ben En National Park in Nhu Thanh and Nhu Xuan districts.

Ben En is considered one of Vietnam’s most beautiful national parks given its magnificent views of hills, mountains and islets. Covering 17,735 hectares, the park offers a natural atmosphere as it is home to 8,544 hectares of primitive forest.

Visitors to the park should take a boat ride for sightseeing on the calm lake. Tranquil islets and caves with impressive stalactites are worth visiting.

The best time to admire the natural beauty of Ben En is from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. when the clear and blue sky is reflected on the lake’s surface.

During the boat tour, tourists can hear birds singing in the forest and find peace of mind when looking at smoke rolling out the rooftops of the houses in the hilly villages of Muong and Thai ethnic people.

The lake tour lasts several hours but it takes days to explore the whole park.

Visitors should spend some time stopping by Ngoc (Gem) Cave, which is 80 meters long, eight meters wide and 2.5 meters high. In the middle of the cave is a big stalactite sparkling like a gem. From the cave, tourists can walk to a crystal clear stream.

A view of Ben En National Park.       A boat drifts in the vast lake in Ben En National Park – Photos: Hoai Chau

SGT