Lak Lake a beautiful oasis
20:10 04/03/2009

  Fishing in Lak Lake   Tay Nguyen, also known as Vietnam's Central Highlands, is a landlocked region comprised of five provinces.

Despite its distance from the sea, however, symbols of water feature prominently in the highlands amongst the many ethnic minorities who reside here.

Images of boats and seahorses adorn a traditional festival pole called cay neu – a cultural symbol of the highland tribes representing a water world alongside birds and forests.

Lakes and rivers have always played an important role in the highlander's lives as they depend heavily on the precious resource.

In local M'nong language, dak means water, lake or river.

In Vietnamese folklore, the province of Dak Lak (the largest province in the Central Highlands) is thought to have been saved by a legendary local hero named Lak.

The brave con­queror found a water source and protected it from a cruel dragon, thus saving the village from a devastating drought.

And hence, the province was named Dak Lak.

Picturesque Lak Lake is the largest body of fresh water in Dak Lak Province and attracts many visitorswho come to explore and relax.

It is 50 km south of Buon Me Thuot City and during the rainy season from May to October, Lak Lake covers an area of about 600 hectares.

Lotus leaves form vast green carpets on the surface creating a soft, elegant fra­grance while a jungle of green trees surrounds it.

Elephant rides, boat excursions, and kayak and canoe trips can easily be arranged to explore the scenic area.

During the dry season from November to April, water levels decrease and Lak Lake shrinks down to around 400 hectares.

Clear blue skies and the Cu Yang Sin mountains are silently reflected in the natural blue mirror of calm, tranquil water.

Elephant rides across the lake are highly recommended during this time of year.

Tourists come and go all year round in the Lak Lake area which helps generate an income for many locals.

However, most ethnic minori­ties still earn a living by fishing and farming.

Rice is also grown around the water and the lake supplies about 150 tons of fish a year.

Small fishing boats made from a single tree trunk (thuyen doc moc) can often be seen floating inthe quiet ripples of the lake.

King Bao Dai, an emperor of Vietnam and the last ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty, realized the stun­ning beauty of the area and had a villa built atop a hill overlooking the Lak Lake.

Today, the villa is now a hotel and accommodation can be booked though Dak Lak Tourist (050 586 767).

Though a little run down, rooms at the Lak Resort villa offer a stunning view of the lake.

HOW TO GET THERE

n Catch the bus No. 3 to go between Phan Dinh Giot Street in Buon Me Thuot City and Lak District (every hour from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

n Get off at the Post Office of Lak District and take a xe om (motorbike taxi) or walk a distance of 1.5 km to Buon Jun by Lak Lake.

n Contact Mr. Minh at 050 856 282 or Mr. Duc at 050 586 280 to arrange any activity from boat trips to elephant rides.

Reported by Thu Giang

Source : thanhniennews.com