Ta Dung, the "Ha Long Bay on land" of the Central Highlands.

Text and photos:Hai An

At exactly 7 PM from Saigon, after checking our vehicles, reflective belts, and safety gear, our group of 22 members began our journey to explore Ta Dung. Instead of following National Highway 20 as usual, we chose a quieter and better route towards Long Khanh, straight to Duc Linh, crossing desolate mountain passes through the forest to reach the mountain town of Bao Loc. The group stopped to rest under the beautiful moonlight at the foot of Ta Pua Pass.

After a night's rest in Bao Loc, the next morning we woke up early and headed to the Di Linh plateau (Lam Dong province), then another 30km to Ta Dung boat dock. Khanh, a local expert in Ta Dung, greeted us. Since mass tourism hasn't been developed here yet, we asked Khanh to rent a barge from a local for our exploration trip.

Accompanying Khanh as our guide was a local who grew up in this very area and knew every nook and cranny. The barge gently glided deep into the lake amidst the excitement of the young people who had spent their lives in the city. Because the group was so large, we had to travel in two trips. To ensure a complete and non-repetitive exploration, motorbikes were also transported along for the return trip. The image of the young people in their bright red shirts standing out against the vast green of the mountains and forests was a wonderful feeling.

Since it was still early, we didn't set up camp right away, but instead conquered the unfinished section of National Highway 27 around the lake. This was truly an exciting decision. Thick layers of dust, dozens of centimeters deep, created swirling dust storms. The whole group followed each other through the bends and high peaks until we finally stopped, utterly exhausted. After this arduous journey, we boarded a boat and ventured out into the middle of the lake to find a campsite. A breathtakingly beautiful and captivating scene unfolded before our eyes. The sky, green mountains, and the calm, mirror-like surface of the lake intertwined to create a stunning three-dimensional world. All our fatigue vanished instantly; everyone was speechless before the beauty of nature.

The barge slowly cut through the water, carrying us to the middle of the lake. We all immediately jumped into the cool, deep blue water. Khanh shared, "Before, there were red dirt roads and bridges across the lake, but after the hydroelectric dam filled the lake, the water level rose to nearly a hundred meters. Because the lake is so deep, the water is always a deep blue."

We chose a small "island" to set up camp. On the island lived Mr. Teo's family, who tended their coffee plantation. Seeing us, he was both surprised and delighted to welcome strangers. That night on the lake, under the bright moonlight, by the crackling campfire, songs and melodies flowed continuously. Strangers suddenly drew closer together. The heartfelt songs echoed and then faded into the vast expanse of the sky. The next morning, we left the island to prepare for our journey back to Saigon. Ta Dung bestowed upon us another romantic gift: a hazy mist that enveloped the land.

After saying goodbye to Khanh, we started driving towards Dak Som, passing through Quang Khe and then straight to Bao Loc. After climbing some steep slopes, the complete view of the lake unfolded before our eyes. And now we understood why the lake is called the "Ha Long Bay of the Central Highlands". The small islands, clustered together in a winding path, created a truly magnificent scene. The most impressive was the majestic banyan tree standing tall by the lake.

On our way back to bustling Saigon, we suddenly felt a longing to return to the peaceful, idyllic place of Ta Dung. That place seemed unsuitable for those constantly caught up in the hustle and bustle of life.

Additional information:

+ Route: From Ho Chi Minh City, go to the Dau Giay intersection, turn left onto National Highway 20 towards Di Linh. From Di Linh market, turn left and go straight for about 30km to Ta Dung boat dock. Currently, the road to Ta Dung is fully paved.

Contact Mr. Khanh (a local expert in Ta Dung) to act as a guide, rent a boat, or arrange camping. Khanh's phone number: 0973468012.

+ Food and drink: It's advisable to buy ready-made food at Di Linh market because there are no food services near the lake.

Remember to bring a life jacket for safe swimming.

+ Accommodation: You should bring a tent and sleeping bag. You can also ask Khanh to arrange for you to sleep at a local's house.

+ Attractions: From Ta Dung Lake, drive around the lake, take a boat trip to explore the deserted islands, visit the giant banyan tree, visit the Mong ethnic village, conquer the peak of Ta Dung mountain, go fishing on the lake…

The Thanh