Ba Be National Park and Lake
Previously, on September 5, the Ministry of Culture and Information and the National Cultural Heritage Council reported to the Prime Minister that records had been sent to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for recognition of the park as a world natural heritage site. Ba Be national park is 40km from Bac Kan Town, 250km north of Hanoi. The park covers over 10,000ha, with Ba Be Lake as its centre point. The Lake is surrounded by limestone forest, and is the realm of many species fresh-water fish. Besides the Lake, the park also has many unique sites such as Puong Cave, Dau Dang and Room waterfalls, and the Fairy pond. Ba Be national park has up to 1,280 floral species belonging to nearly 140 families, comprising many rare plants listed in both the Vietnam and world red books. The park is home to 25 plants listed in the International Union for Natural Protection (IUCN) red book. The local fauna is also very diverse and is listed at more than 600 species, including 66 rare and endemic species such as the great hornbill, a local species of pheasant, and the snub nose languor. At the end of 2004, Ba Be and three other national parks of Vietnam - Hoang Lien in Lao Cai Province, Chu Mom Ray in Kon Tum Province and Kon Ka Kinh in Gia Lai Province - were recognized as ASEAN heritage parks.
The fresh water Lake Babe is the only significant natural upland lake in the North of Vietnam with a total surface area of 500 hectares. Babe lake is dotted with many limestone mountains which have many caves and underground stream. Therefore the water here is always blue and clear. Babe is some 145 m above sea level, 8 km long, 3 km wide and about 25-30 deep. Ba Be lake is also surrounded by many ancient trees, from which several variety of precious wood are obtained. This area is also famous for the Ba Be National Park - a valuable natural heritage which UNESCO recognizes the world heritage. Covering more than 23,000 hectares in northern Bac Kan province, the park is densely forested and rich in flora and fauna. Up to 30 animal species such as wild pigs, bears, panthers, monkeys, and birds inhabit the area.
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