The Blissful, Tranquility of Ba Be Lake

Ba Be lake is north of Hanoi, about 240 kilometers, though if you're driving your own bike it might feel seem farther, depending on some of the roads (though most are fine and well-paved). It's a beautiful place. As in stunning, tranquil, gorgeous, dazzling, lovely and spectacular. Framed by high mountains covered in primary rainforest and filled with a large variety of wildlife, it's an area mainly inhabited by ethnic Tay people.

They live in traditional stilt houses, though those that double as guesthouses, nha nghis, are hardly primitive, with modcons like television and sit down toilets.

Duy Tho's in the tiny village of Pac Ngoi is one such place, with plenty of room for at least ten people to sleep comfortably in sectioned-off rooms, and a wide and varied menu, all cooked by his wife.

Though modern by local standards, the wood house still boasts a cook fire in the bamboo-floored kitchen, where all the meals are cooked.

The locals are friendly, waving to you when you pass by and there's none of the touting or hassle of other tourist areas (though Ba Be is hardly a busy tourist area). People here are modest and nearly anyone will help you if they can. They're more laidback than in the cities (obviously) and many things and possessions seem to be of a communal nature, such as boats. Anyone can borrow one to cross the lake provided it's put back afterwards.

People fish in the lake and cross it in a small, very, very narrow boats, sometimes made from hollowed out tree trunks. Anyone can hire one to take them around the lake, or to the famous island - Po Gia Mai.

The lake itself is deep, over 20 meters, and so clear you can see fish swim far below. It's about eight kilometers long. One of the only mountain lakes in Vietnam, it's in a protected national park, meaning that while the locals can fish, they're prohibited from cutting down trees or hunting the wildlife. Though with so much healthy livestock (chickens and pigs roaming the streets), they don't need to.

The conclusion ? Get here if you can.