Visiting one of the largest natural lakes in Vietnam: Lac Lake

Published: 16:23 Wednesday - July 25, 2012 Lac Lake, one of the largest natural lakes in Vietnam, is considered by many to also be the most beautiful. Covered more than 500ha at an elevation of 500m, the lake is one of the most famous landscapes in the Central Highlands.

Located about 52km from Buon Ma Thuot city, in the Central Highlands province of Dac Lak, visiting Lac Lake tourists in Vietnam tours have many wonderful experiences such as dance with the locals, wander through the forest on an elephant's back and enjoy unforgettable specialities around the campfire next to stilt houses.

With spectacular mountains and primitive forests surround the lake. Shadows of the pine trees turn the water a beautiful deep green, which can be seen between the lotus flowers floating on the surface.

A twisty path, lined with high trees, tall grass and wild flowers along the hillside to Bao Dai Palace at the summit. It was at first the summer residence of King Bao Dai, the last king of the Nguyen Dynasty, which has been renewed into a hotel. From the palace, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the lake and forests nearby. Glimpses of Mnong villages can be seen through breaks in the leafy canopy.

If it is in good weather, you can see Chu Yang Sin, the highest mountain of the southern Central Highlands. ‘Lac' was the name of a young man with overwhelming courage and strength who found the source of water resource for locals in the area. According to the legend: a long time ago, for reasons unknown to man, the God of Fire and the God of Water declared war on each other.

After a fierce fight, the defeated God of Water was forced to hide by turning himself into a boulder. As a result, there was a huge drought. For many years late, there was no rain and all the plants and animals perished and villagers waited in misery for any drops of rain.

Then one day, a poor young man named Y Lac started on a quest to find water for the village. He walked day by day until he became so tired one afternoon he had to sit down on a boulder to eat and relax. His eyes happened to fall upon a small eel coiled up deep within a crack in the rock. He caught it and put it into a pan from which it could not escape. The next morning, Y Lac noticed a drop of water, like as a pearl, at the bottom of the pan.

The youth somehow knew that the eel was the God of Water transfigured, so he released the eel and followed as it slithered away. After a such long journey, the eel disappeared and an immense lake suddenly appeared in front of the youth's eyes. Lac Lake was formed.

Tourists for Vietnam travel guide come to Lak Lake these days can hear stories about the past, sail around in canoes, take elephant rides and enjoy the sights, sounds of Mnong villages. You can also go trekking over streams in the forests to enjoy the beauty of the diverse flora and fauna while listening to the songs of the birds and the breath of the wind.

When night closes in, drink a glass of wine, listen to Tay Nguyen boys and girls sing and dance by the firelight to the sound of gongs, while listening the elders tell khan tales.