Article and photos:Hai An
At exactly 7 pm from Saigon, after checking the vehicles, reflective belts, and safety clothing, our group of 22 members began our journey to explore Ta Dung. Instead of following Highway 20 as usual, we chose a quieter and better route towards Long Khanh straight to Duc Linh, crossing the 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 to go to Di Linh plateau (Lam Dong) and from there we traveled another 30km to Ta Dung boat station. Welcoming the group was Khanh - "Ta Dung local". Because mass tourism has not been exploited here yet, we asked Khanh to rent a barge from the locals for our exploration journey.
Khanh was also a local who grew up in this land and knew every little corner. The barge gently moved deeper into the lake, filled with the excitement of young people who lived in the city all year round. Because the group was so large, we had to travel in two trips. To ensure the exploration route was complete and not repeated, motorbikes were also brought along for the return trip. The image of the red shirts of the youth standing out against the vast green of the mountains and forests was a wonderful feeling.
It was still early so we did not camp right away but conquered the National Highway 27 around the lake which was still under construction. This was truly an interesting decision. The layers of dust tens of centimeters thick created blinding dust storms. The whole group followed each other through the bends and peaks until we stopped, exhausted. At the end of this arduous journey, we got back on the boat and wandered out to the middle of the lake to find a campsite. A breathtakingly beautiful scene opened before our eyes. The sky, the green mountains and the mirror-like lake surface interacted together to create a three-dimensional world of breathtaking beauty. All the fatigue disappeared at some point, everyone was silent before the beauty of creation.
| A breathtakingly beautiful scene unfolded before his eyes. The sky, the green mountains, and the mirror-like lake surface interacted together to create a three-dimensional world of breathtaking beauty. |
The barge slowly parted the water and took us to the middle of the lake. We all jumped into the cool, deep blue water. Khanh shared: “In the past, there were red dirt roads and bridges across the river at the bottom of the lake, but after the reservoir was filled with water for the hydroelectric power plant, 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 camp. On the island, Teo's family lived to look after the coffee garden. When he saw us, he was both surprised and happy to welcome strange guests. At night on the lake, under the bright moonlight, by the flickering fire, the songs continued. Strangers suddenly became closer. The heartfelt songs echoed and then faded into the vast sky and earth. The next morning we left the island to prepare for the journey back to Saigon. Ta Dung gave us another romantic gift with a misty mist covering the sky and earth.
Saying goodbye to Khanh, we started driving to Dak Som, passing Quang Khe and then straight to Bao Loc. After the steep slopes, the whole view of the lake appeared before our eyes. And now we understood why the lake is called "Ha Long of the Central Highlands". The small islands undulated one after another, winding, the scene looked majestic. The most impressive was the giant banyan tree standing tall by the lake.
On the way back to Saigon, we suddenly felt restless, just wanting to return to the peaceful fairyland of Ta Dung. That place seemed not to be for those who are always struggling with the hustle and bustle of life.
More information:
+ Journey: From Ho Chi Minh City, go to Dau Giay intersection, turn left along Highway 20 to Di Linh. From Di Linh market, turn left and go straight for about 30km to Ta Dung boat station. Currently, the road to Ta Dung is completely paved.
+ Contact Mr. Khanh (“Ta Dung local”) to be a guide, rent a boat to travel, contact a place to camp and rest. Khanh's phone number: 0973468012.
+ Food and drink: You should buy prepared food at Di Linh market because there are no food services near the lake.
+ Remember to bring a life jacket for safe swimming.
+ Sleeping: You should bring tents and sleeping bags. You can also ask Khanh to arrange to stay at a local's house.
+ Sightseeing spots: From Ta Dung Lake, drive around the lake, take a boat to explore deserted islands, visit giant banyan trees, visit Mong villages, conquer Ta Dung mountain peak, fish on the lake...
