Ba Bể butterfly hunting experience – A season as beautiful as a fairy tale in the vast northern mountains of Bac Kan.

What is special about the butterfly season in Ba Bể?

When mentioning summer in Bắc Kạn, many tourists will immediately think of Ba Bể Lake with its emerald waters and vast primeval forests. However, from around April to June each year, a unique natural "specialty" appears here – the white butterfly season.

Thousands of butterflies in various colors, especially white butterflies, appear along the roads by the lake, riverbanks, and damp areas in Ba Bể National Park. Swarms of butterflies fluttering in the sunlight create a shimmering, magical scene as if stepping out of a fairy tale.

This is also the time chosen by many photographers and nature-loving tourists to explore Ba Bể in a very different way.

The best time to hunt butterflies

The most important factor for a successful butterfly hunt is choosing the right time.

The butterfly season usually appears most from April to June, when the weather begins to transition into early summer. This is the period of warm climate, high humidity, and abundant food sources in the forest.

The best days for butterfly hunting are often after a rain shower. When the sky clears and gentle sunlight appears, the butterflies will emerge from dense forest areas to bask in the sun and absorb minerals.

Regarding the time of day, the two ideal time frames are:

From 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
From 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

This is when butterflies are most active and often gather in large swarms in damp fields or along the roads.

The places with the most butterflies in Ba Bể

If you want to encounter the largest swarms of butterflies, tourists should move to areas along Ba Bể Lake or the trails leading to the villages in Ba Bể National Park, such as An Mạ Temple, Ao Tiên,...

Damp fields along the roads, areas near the boat dock, the banks of the Năng River, or open spaces under the trees are often where butterflies concentrate in very high densities.

Additionally, shallow streams and puddles near the forest are also ideal spots to observe hundreds of butterflies gathering to drink water and absorb minerals from the ground.

Tips to attract butterflies for photography

One experience shared by many nature photographers is that butterflies are often attracted to various minerals, salty tastes, or natural organic scents.

You can use a small amount of diluted saltwater or lightly sprinkle some salt in open fields to increase the likelihood of butterflies gathering.

Some people even use a very small amount of diluted shrimp paste to attract butterflies closer. However, it should be used moderately and not harm the natural environment.

Conversely, it is advisable to limit the use of strong perfumes or cosmetics with overpowering scents as this may cause butterflies to fly away.

Suitable clothing for butterfly hunting

To get beautiful photos during the butterfly season in Ba Bể, tourists should choose outfits in soft colors such as white, cream, light yellow, or pastel.

These colors stand out against the lush nature while creating a harmonious feel with the scenery.

Additionally, it is advisable to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and sports shoes for convenience when moving on forest trails or rocky terrains.

A wide-brimmed hat not only helps protect against the sun but also serves as an accessory that adds a highlight to your check-in photos.

Essential items to bring

The butterfly hunting area mainly lies in a natural environment, so tourists need to prepare some essential items carefully.

It is advisable to bring:

Insect repellent.
Personal drinking water.
Sun hats or caps.
Towels for sweat.
A camera or phone with spare battery.

If you want to capture the most beautiful moments of butterflies flying, a telephoto lens or a camera with continuous shooting mode will be a significant advantage.

Join hands to protect the butterfly season in Ba Bể

The butterfly season is a part of the natural ecosystem in Ba Bể National Park. Therefore, when visiting and taking photos, tourists need to be aware of protecting the environment.

Do not litter in the forest, do not catch butterflies as souvenirs, and limit actions that affect their living environment.

Preserving the natural landscape not only helps protect the ecosystem but also contributes to maintaining the special beauty of the butterfly season in Ba Bể for the following summers.