Yên Trung Lake Exudes a Relaxed Weekend Ambiance

Address: Yên Tử Ward (formerly Uông Bí City), Quảng Ninh Province

Yên Trung Lake has fairly deep, crystal-clear waters and is surrounded by undulating hills and rows of green pine trees. The site is located right on National Highway 18A, which connects Hanoi and Hạ Long, and is only about 30km from Hải Phòng, making it very convenient to travel to many other prominent attractions. The first thing that catches your eye when you arrive is the clear jade-green color of the water and the cheerful sound of the pines swaying in the breeze. 

Since admission is free, you only need to pay additional service fees such as boat, hammock, and shelter rentals. The carefully tended flower garden charges an admission fee of 50,000đ. Camping rental costs range from 150,000đ to 300,000đ per tent, so take note. 

The road leading to Yên Trung Lake looks completely different from what you might imagine of the dusty roads in the mining region. Pine forests line both sides of the road, and the farther you go, the more clearly the cool green space comes into view. After traveling to Uông Bí, Quảng Ninh, you will see a sign pointing toward Yên Trung. From there, drive another 1km to reach the lake. 

If traveling from Hanoi along National Highway 18A, you will need to cover about 115km, meaning you can reach the lake in less than 3 hours. In addition, Yên Trung Lake is only about 40km from Hạ Long Bay, making it very convenient for those who want to combine a visit to the bay with sightseeing and an overnight stay. 

 

At Yên Trung Lake, it is not difficult to come across rows of towering pine trees lining both sides of the road. Visitors can stroll around, lean against the sturdy trunks, and enjoy the sunlight filtering through the leaves. Though seemingly simple and wild, the lofty pine-covered slopes are a special highlight that lend this place an irresistible poetic charm. Therefore, one small note for those planning to visit Yên Trung Lake is to fully charge your phone if you want to take as many photos as you like among the pine trees. 

Perhaps the most irresistible feature of Yên Trung Lake is its vast freshwater lake, spanning more than 100ha, with still waters reflecting the brilliant blue of the sky. Many rows of pine trees near the lake cast their shadows over the water, creating a truly peaceful scene. In the distance, you can see layer upon layer of mountains, while the surrounding vegetation adds an even more poetic touch to the landscape of Yên Trung Lake. 

If you like, you can rent a boat to tour the lake for just 30,000đ/h, or from 80,000đ to 100,000đ/h for a kayak. It is extremely affordable. Cruising around the lake will be a unique experience that is hard to find anywhere else. 

Camping is a highly enjoyable activity embraced by many visitors, especially young people, at Yên Trung Lake. In the fresh, cool, and somewhat romantic surroundings, you can enjoy an ideal weekend of camping and picnicking. You do not need to prepare too much—just bring a tent and some snacks such as sweet potatoes and corn to grill, then chat beneath the open sky amid the poetic scenery. 

Some tips for an enjoyable camping trip: 

Prepare essential items in case of unpredictable rainstorms: Bring a tarp and waterproof bags. 

Prepare enough water and other water-filtering equipment if necessary. 

Bring a tent, camping gear, guy ropes… 

Prepare food and compact cooking equipment, such as a mini gas stove, if you want to cook for yourself. 

The Garden of Eden is a popular attraction among young people and couples at Yên Trung Lake. When visiting, you can admire panoramic views of the deep green lake and take souvenir photos at thoughtfully decorated spots. Moreover, Yên Trung Lake is also a place where highly eye-catching wedding photo sets are created. One example is Love Bridge, which has witnessed countless couples before they became husband and wife. The bridge features romantic architecture, is painted a vivid red, and is decorated with numerous flower wreaths, locks, and sparkling LED lights…

If you have visited Yên Trung Lake, you should definitely enjoy delicious dishes at the nearby restaurants. For example: 

Hiệp Gà Restaurant

Address: Yên Trung, Uông Bí, Quảng Ninh Province

There is nothing better than enjoying grilled chicken and grilled pork in the slightly chilly atmosphere around Yên Trung Lake. The restaurant has a rustic, familiar style, allowing diners to enjoy the most comfortable culinary experience. 

Quốc Chiến 9999 Restaurant

Address: Phương Đông Commune, Uông Bí, Quảng Ninh

The restaurant has a spacious, open, and airy setting, serving many delicious Quảng Ninh specialties. Visitors can also enjoy the cool breeze in the surrounding rustic-style design, which uses brown as its main color. 

Nắng Yên Trung Restaurant

Address: Yên Trung, Uông Bí, Quảng Ninh

Nắng is only about 550m from Yên Trung Lake and is designed in a cool garden style that feels close to nature. In particular, the restaurant also offers attractive food combos and good promotions for large groups. 

The period from April to September is the best time to visit and enjoy Yên Trung Lake. Leaving behind the city’s smog and dust, you can retreat to a lush green place filled with fresh breezes. If you plan to camp overnight, do not miss the two most beautiful moments of the day: sunrise and sunset. 

- Do not swim or fish in Yên Trung Lake because it is very deep and dangerous. Instead, visit the nearby natural waterfall, which is only about 3km away. 

- You may bring a grill for a BBQ, but do not light fires in the forest or near pine tree trunks being tapped for resin, as they can easily catch fire. 

- Clean up your waste after eating and camping. 

- Bring identification documents and some cash for expenses and deposits. 

- There is a hotel about 500m from the lake with reasonable prices. 

Located not too far from Hanoi, the green space at Yên Trung Lake offers us the opportunity to relax mentally and recharge with our loved ones. In particular, the Yên Trung Lake tourist area has also been recognized as a provincial-level ecotourism site.