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Pac Ngoi Village rests by the tranquil Ba Be Lake. Here, stilt houses peek through the trees, and mountains cradle the horizon. What’s more, Pac Ngoi Village is also a place where ethnic Tay traditions live on. Let Asia King Travel guide you through this cultural retreat with the article below!
Pac Ngoi Village lies peacefully beside the calm waters of Ba Be Lake
Pac Ngoi Village is a hidden gem in northern Vietnam. As Tay ethnic minority lives here, this place offers a harmonious blend of nature and authentic rural life.
At the village, mist drifts over Ba Be Lake’s water every early morning. The water then blends into the deep green of surrounding forests and golden sunlight. Moreover, the flat terrain helps fertile rice fields stretch along the lakeside, while behind this village, rugged cliffs rise like protective arms. Together, these elements make up a poetic scene that promises to stir the soul of every visitor.
Beyond breathtaking scenery, Pac Ngoi also possesses a precious architectural heritage: its traditional stilt houses. Around 70 of these wooden homes, many built more than a century ago, still stand firm, showing off the distinct style of Tay craftsmanship. As a result, staying in one of these houses is like an invitation to live the Tay way.
Pac Ngoi Village presents a fusion of natural beauty and genuine countryside living
Pac Ngoi Village is located in Ba Be Commune, Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam. Despite more than a decade of tourism development, Pac Ngoi has managed to preserve much of its traditional value. From local customs and festivals to daily routines and architecture, this village remains a living testament to the heritage of the Tay people.
For most travelers, whether you’re coming from central or southern Vietnam or even arriving from abroad, the most common route to Pac Ngoi Village begins in Hanoi. From the capital, you can take the Hanoi - Thai Nguyen Expressway, which offers the fastest and most direct path to Thai Nguyen City. The route would be approximately 100 kilometers and takes about two hours by car.
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The most common route to Pac Ngoi Village begins in Hanoi
Once you reach Thai Nguyen City, head toward Tan Long intersection and turn left onto National Road 37. From there, you should continue onto the Thai Nguyen - Cho Moi Expressway. The final stretch to Pac Ngoi involves a few smaller turns, but nothing too complex. Google Maps will guide you well, or you can simply stop and ask the locals to make sure you are on the right track.
Located in the northern highland of Thai Nguyen, Pac Ngoi Village enjoys a temperate climate for most of the year, making it a pleasant destination in any season. However, the most recommended time to visit is from late summer to early winter, especially between September and October.
From September to October, the rice fields in Pac Ngoi Village reach their peak beauty
During this period, nature is at its most vibrant: the forests are lush and the rice fields are in full bloom. It’s also when the weather is ideal for outdoor activities. You might find it cool enough to trek through the hills, yet warm enough to enjoy boat rides and spend time in the open air without discomfort.
Read more: Ba Be National Park Tour 4 days 3 nights: Jungle Trekking Adventure
Majestic mountain landscapes never fail to impress on social media. Especially at Pac Ngoi Village, where Ba Be Lake weaves through forested peaks like strokes on a painting, your camera will have no shortage of inspiration.
Capture breathtaking images of Ba Be’s untamed scenery
We’re sure this small ethnic village would provide such a stunning natural backdrop that even the most discerning photographers would be satisfied. No matter you're capturing morning mist rolling over the lake, stilt houses reflecting in calm waters, or beautiful smiles of local Tay people in traditional attire, every frame tells its own alluring story.
So why would you hesitate any longer? Head to Pac Ngoi Village now and snap the kind of photos that will have everyone asking, “Where is that magical place?”
One of the most unforgettable parts of visiting Pac Ngoi Village is, without a doubt, the food. You won’t need a fancy restaurant or a celebrity chef to indulge in flavors that capture the most authentic soul of northern highlands. Here, meals are cooked in a traditional way over open fires. What’s more, most ingredients for your meals will be freshly caught right in the surrounding mountains.
Some of the most popular dishes are grilled Ba Be lake fish, hill chicken steamed with lime leaves, smoky mountain pork, and tangy fermented shrimp. You should also try those dishes with sticky rice as their taste would become even better together.
The food is undeniably one of the most memorable highlights of a visit to Pac Ngoi Village
On the other hand, if you're looking to take a taste of highland home, local specialties like smoked buffalo meat, cured sausages, sour shrimp, and plum jam are ready to be served with travel-friendly packaging for easy transport.
Life in Pac Ngoi unfolds slowly until you step into it yourself. What begins as quiet observation soon turns into participation, almost without you realizing it. One moment you’re watching villagers tend their daily tasks, and the next, you’re joining them.
You might start your morning by helping prepare a simple but flavorful meal in the kitchen of host family. Later, as the day warms, you’ll glide across the surface of Ba Be Lake to catch fish. By afternoon, you may find yourself gathering fragrant herbs from a garden nearby.
As evening settles in, something subtle shifts. The space between guest and local grows smaller. You’re invited to sit, to eat and to laugh. In that moment, you will realize this isn’t just a cultural exchange. It’s the one that you’ll carry as a story long after the village lights fade into memories.
As the last light fades behind the mountains, Pac Ngoi Village begins to hum with quiet energy. It all starts with a distant beat of drums or rhythmic clack of wooden clappers. Then, one by one, sounds and scents of highland begin to fill the air. As you follow the glow of firelight, you soon reach the heart of a village’s night market that comes alive every Friday and Saturday.
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Tay artists showcase traditional songs and dances in captivating movements
Locals would arrive here dressed in their finest traditional outfits, not for tourists, but for the joy of sharing who they are. You might want to purchase some iconic items like handwoven scarves dyed in deep indigo, snack on crispy rice cakes or grilled meats wrapped in banana leaves. However, just simply stand and watch as Tay performers take the stage with historic songs and dances is more than enough to enjoy this vibrant market.
Though relatively remote, Pac Ngoi Village is well worth the journey with stunning landscapes and the way it brings you closer to Vietnam’s cultural roots. If you're ready to trade the noise of cities for the stillness of mountains, let Asia King Travel take you there through our crafted Vietnam Tours.
Read more: Ba Be Bac Son Tour 3 Days: Adventure Nature & Local Culture
