Lac Lake is one of the largest naturallakes in Vietnam and is considered by many to also be the mostbeautiful. Covering more than 500ha at an elevation of 500m, it is oneof the most famous landscapes in the Central Highlands.
Spectacular mountains and primitive forests surround the lake.Reflections of the pine trees turn the water a beautiful deep green,which can be seen between the lotus flowers that float on the surface.
A twisty path, lined with old trees, tall grass and wild flowers,meanders along the hillside to Bao Dai Palace at the summit. It wasoriginally the summer residence of King Bao Dai, the last king of theNguyen Dynasty, which has been renovated into a hotel.
From the palace, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the lake andthe surrounding forests. Glimpses of Mnong villages can be seen throughbreaks in the leafy canopy.
In good weather, Chu Yang Sin, the highest mountain of the southern Central Highlands, can be seen.
Many generations have passed on legends about Lac Lake through theirtradition of oral history. The lake gave Dac Lac Province its name.‘Dac' in the Mnong language means water, river, stream or lake. ‘Lac'was the name of a young man with overwhelming courage and strength whofound the source of water resource for villagers in the area.
Locals tell the legend: Once upon a time, a long time ago, for reasonsunknown to man, the God of Fire and the God of Water declared war oneach other.
After a fierce fight, the defeated God of Water was forced to hide byturning himself into a boulder. Consequently, there was a huge drought.For many years there was no rain and all the plants and animalsperished. Villagers waited in misery for any drops of rain.
Then one day, a poor youth named Y Lac started on a quest to find waterfor the village. He walked day after day until he became so tired oneafternoon he had to sit down on a boulder to eat and rest. His eyeshappened to fall upon a small eel coiled up deep within a crack in therock. He caught it and put it into a pan from which it could notescape. The next morning, Y Lac noticed a drop of water, like a pearl,at the bottom of the pan.
The youth somehow knew that the eel was the God of Water transfigured,so he released it and followed the eel as it slithered away. After avery long journey, the eel disappeared and an immense lake suddenlyappeared in front of the youth's eyes. Lac Lake was formed.
Visitors to Lak Lake these days can hear stories about the past, sailaround in dug-out canoes, take elephant rides and enjoy the sights,sounds and smells of mountainous Mnong villages. Tourists can also gotrekking over streams in the forests to enjoy the beauty of the diverseflora and fauna while listening to the songs of the birds and thebreath of the wind.
When night falls, imbibe in a glass of wine, listen to Tay Nguyen boysand girls sing and dance by the firelight to the sound of gongs, whileenjoying the elders tell khan tales. For dinner, indulge in a helping,or two, of newly harvested fragrant mountain rice paired with friedthac lac fish, one of the area's specialities.
A visit to Lac Lake promises wonderful experiences for tourists todance with the locals, wander through the forest on an elephant's backand enjoy unforgettable specialities around the campfire next to stilthouses.
Lac Lake is located about 52km south of Buon Ma Thuot city, in theCentral Highlands province of Dac Lac , along National Highway 27 onthe road to Da Lat city./.
Spectacular mountains and primitive forests surround the lake.Reflections of the pine trees turn the water a beautiful deep green,which can be seen between the lotus flowers that float on the surface.
A twisty path, lined with old trees, tall grass and wild flowers,meanders along the hillside to Bao Dai Palace at the summit. It wasoriginally the summer residence of King Bao Dai, the last king of theNguyen Dynasty, which has been renovated into a hotel.
From the palace, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the lake andthe surrounding forests. Glimpses of Mnong villages can be seen throughbreaks in the leafy canopy.
In good weather, Chu Yang Sin, the highest mountain of the southern Central Highlands, can be seen.
Many generations have passed on legends about Lac Lake through theirtradition of oral history. The lake gave Dac Lac Province its name.‘Dac' in the Mnong language means water, river, stream or lake. ‘Lac'was the name of a young man with overwhelming courage and strength whofound the source of water resource for villagers in the area.
Locals tell the legend: Once upon a time, a long time ago, for reasonsunknown to man, the God of Fire and the God of Water declared war oneach other.
After a fierce fight, the defeated God of Water was forced to hide byturning himself into a boulder. Consequently, there was a huge drought.For many years there was no rain and all the plants and animalsperished. Villagers waited in misery for any drops of rain.
Then one day, a poor youth named Y Lac started on a quest to find waterfor the village. He walked day after day until he became so tired oneafternoon he had to sit down on a boulder to eat and rest. His eyeshappened to fall upon a small eel coiled up deep within a crack in therock. He caught it and put it into a pan from which it could notescape. The next morning, Y Lac noticed a drop of water, like a pearl,at the bottom of the pan.
The youth somehow knew that the eel was the God of Water transfigured,so he released it and followed the eel as it slithered away. After avery long journey, the eel disappeared and an immense lake suddenlyappeared in front of the youth's eyes. Lac Lake was formed.
Visitors to Lak Lake these days can hear stories about the past, sailaround in dug-out canoes, take elephant rides and enjoy the sights,sounds and smells of mountainous Mnong villages. Tourists can also gotrekking over streams in the forests to enjoy the beauty of the diverseflora and fauna while listening to the songs of the birds and thebreath of the wind.
When night falls, imbibe in a glass of wine, listen to Tay Nguyen boysand girls sing and dance by the firelight to the sound of gongs, whileenjoying the elders tell khan tales. For dinner, indulge in a helping,or two, of newly harvested fragrant mountain rice paired with friedthac lac fish, one of the area's specialities.
A visit to Lac Lake promises wonderful experiences for tourists todance with the locals, wander through the forest on an elephant's backand enjoy unforgettable specialities around the campfire next to stilthouses.
Lac Lake is located about 52km south of Buon Ma Thuot city, in theCentral Highlands province of Dac Lac , along National Highway 27 onthe road to Da Lat city./.
