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Nguyen Nguyet Anh (29 years old, Hanoi), also known as the author of the blog Moon in Loonie Land, currently lives and works in Vancouver, Canada. Seven years ago, during a casual conversation with her close Brazilian friend, Nguyet Anh learned about Banff, but at the time she was still a student and didn't have enough money for a long trip. However, her love for the town of Banff compelled her to visit and experience it at least once in her life.
In a conversation with Travellive readers, Ms. Nguyet Anh shared: “Nath and I talked about Banff seven summers ago. At that time, Nath showed me a picture of Moraine Lake, right when we were about to finish our internships in Canada. Then, Nath left, and I stayed home to write my thesis to meet the deadline for returning to Vietnam to graduate from university. Later, Nath still told me a lot about Banff, about the majestic natural beauty of that special little town, and about the trip that made her feel how much there is still to discover in life.”
Blogger Moon in Loonie Land had always dreamed of visiting and experiencing Banff.
Banff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Over a century ago, the town of Banff consisted of only a single stretch of road known as Banff Boulevard. With the introduction of the Pacific Railroad in Canada in 1885, Banff began to develop into the picturesque mountain town it is today. In 1985, the United Nations declared Banff National Park, one of Canada's Rocky Mountain Parks, a World Heritage Site.
Banff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada.
Banff is considered one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations. Featuring majestic mountains and hot springs, it's a popular choice for outdoor sports, hiking, cycling, racing, and skiing in the region.
Upon arriving in Banff, visitors will be captivated by the majestic, unspoiled beauty of nature blended with the peaceful, carefree pace of life of the local people. In summer, you can paddle a boat on Lake Louise, admiring the reflection of the perpetually snow-capped hills alongside the lush green pine forests. In winter, you can leisurely stroll under the fairytale-like lights emanating from the shops along the street and gaze at the majestic snow-capped mountains standing out on the horizon. No matter the time of year, as soon as you say goodbye to this charming little fairytale town, Banff will immediately leave a lasting impression on any traveler.
The Bow River, with its turquoise waters, flows around the town.
On the wooden bridge spanning the Bow River in the town.
Some notable destinations in Banff
Banff town center
Start your day in Banff with a steaming cup of fragrant coffee, before strolling through the narrow streets of the town center, where you'll find bustling souvenir shops and eateries.
"I researched the origins of Banff and learned that from its very inception, it was created with the vision of becoming a world-renowned tourist town. Standing on the town's main street, one can see the Cascade Mountains and, no matter how far one turns, still be amazed by their majestic beauty," the blogger recounted.
Another view of Banff, bustling streets nestled amidst majestic mountains and forests.
Lake Louise
Known as Canada's green jewel, Lake Louise is surrounded by high mountains and was formed from the melting of glaciers.
Lake Louise is a magnificent symphony of Canadian nature, its turquoise waters beautiful in every season. The lake's crystal-clear blue color is formed from rock dust on the snow-capped mountains and ice from the Victoria Glacier. The lake's water itself is formed from melting icebergs that drifted there millions of years ago. With just a few rays of sunlight, the scenery here becomes dazzling and unbelievably beautiful.
At different times of the day, the lake's surface changes color to varying shades of light blue, dark blue, and turquoise depending on the brightness of the sunlight and the amount of cloud cover.
At this moment, after having climbed a short distance up the mountain, Ms. Nguyet Anh was diligently taking photos of Lake Louise.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the world and is often described as a "shining gem." Thanks to Mother Nature's favor, the scenery at Moraine boasts a gentle blue hue that soothes the soul. The location is impressively arranged by nature, with shimmering rocky mountains on one side, their peaks covered in pristine white ice, and on the other, rolling hills of lush green pine trees stretching endlessly. Together with the clear blue sky, all are clearly reflected on the calm surface of the lake in the center.
According to Ms. Nguyet Anh, when visiting Moraine Lake, it's best to take a stroll around to breathe in the fresh air. Walking along the gently winding paths between the pine trees will bring a feeling of relaxation and comfort. Each light step on the pebbles, with the babbling streams on either side, gives you the feeling of being lost in a fairytale world.
The lake's color remains a stunning turquoise from approximately late June to September each year, thanks to the molten rock dust from glaciers flowing into the lake, reflecting a breathtaking emerald hue.
It was July, but the valley was quite windy, so the weather was a little chilly.
The feeling of sipping coffee by the lake is probably one of the most memorable moments in life.
"Standing on the cliff overlooking Moraine Lake, I saw before me a majestic mountain range millions of years old, still covered in white snow, supplying water to Moraine Lake and reflecting an unbelievable turquoise color," said Nguyet Anh.
National historical site of caves and basins
This is a special place for Indigenous people, marking the birth of Canada's national park system. Today, it's a gathering place for sharing stories of conservation and connection. Visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits, short films, seasonal activities, and stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.
This is the place that marks the beginning of the national park system in Canada.
Some tips for traveling to Banff.
Time
If you want to see the lakes with their characteristic blue color, you should go in the summer – the best time to see the lakes is from July to September. However, Banff is famous for its beauty all year round, so if you want to save money, you can consider visiting Banff during the off-peak seasons such as autumn or spring.
It was Canada Day, so there was a red boat with a bear sitting on it, waving to people visiting the lake.
Move
According to Ms. Nguyet Anh, there are two ways to get around: driving yourself and using public transport. If you want to enjoy the feeling of a "road trip" in Canada, you can rent a car or drive yourself to Banff.
In particular, the blogger encouraged everyone to learn about public transportation. “The bus routes here are very convenient and specifically designed to serve tourists visiting Banff. If you know how to plan your public transport itinerary, you can save a lot of money, enjoy the scenery without worrying about driving, safety, or finding parking. Currently, Moraine Lake is completely closed to private vehicles, so traveling by bus is a smart choice,” Nguyet Anh shared.
The buses in Banff are lovely; they don't honk, they ring bells instead. The drivers occasionally point out deer, elk, sheep, and goats along the edge of the forest.
Cuisine
The cuisine in Banff is very diverse, inheriting the cultural richness of a country like Canada. Ms. Nguyet Anh encourages everyone to try famous Canadian dishes if they haven't tried them before, such as poutine. Or you can explore cuisine from many countries around the world in Banff, such as Japan, Korea, India, France, and Italy…
The cuisine in Banff is very diverse, thanks to the cultural heritage of a country like Canada.
Some notes
- Learn about Banff and its unique features: Clearly identify which aspects you are most interested in exploring, then plan your itinerary based on those points.
- Prioritize public transport: Do some research to avoid frustration from not being able to find parking if you decide to drive to Banff.
- Plan early: Demand to visit Banff is quite high, so planning early will give you more options for accommodation and transportation without paying exorbitant prices.
- Ample time and budget: If visiting Banff, you shouldn't spend too little time there; 4-5 days or more is recommended to fully enjoy the beauty of the place and have time to relax.
Forest beside rocky mountains.
Here's a detailed 4-day itinerary for blogger Moon in Loonie Land's trip to Banff:
Day 1:Travel from Vancouver to Banff, explore downtown Banff and visit some of the beautiful nearby lakes, then rest and recharge for the following days.
Day 2:Discover the most famous and beautiful lakes - Louise and Moraine - and go hiking around them to enjoy and experience these locations.
Day 3:Learn about the history and nature of Banff, visit the Caves and Basins National Historic Site, explore the nearby town of Canmore, and discover local cuisine.
Day 4:Travel to Calgary, explore Calgary before returning to Vancouver.
