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Nestled amidst the pristine La Ngau forest, about 150 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Tien Lake emerges like a quiet note in the noisy symphony of modern life. There, there's no phone signal, no traffic noise, only the gentle murmur of streams, the chirping of forest birds, and a light mist like a thin veil falling softly between heaven and earth. This is where Lu Duy Tuong (27 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) chose to go trekking, to temporarily escape the urban rhythm and rediscover the unspoiled breath of nature.
A crystal-clear stream meanders through the deep forest on the road to Tien Lake.
Located in La Ngau commune, Tanh Linh district, Binh Thuan province, Tien Lake is a relatively untouched tourist destination. Situated amidst a pristine forest, this lake was once a "secret passed down" among Southern trekking enthusiasts, especially attracting those who enjoy exploration and challenging themselves in the wild. The journey to Tien Lake usually begins near the Da Mi hydroelectric power plant, trekking through the forest for about 10km, crossing streams, and climbing slopes to reach the tranquil lake reflecting the sky.
Step into the pristine world of the mountains and forests.
Choosing Ho Tien Lake for his weekend trip, Tuong said he was attracted by the "lush, green, and tranquil natural environment"—essential criteria when selecting a trekking route. And the name "Ho Tien" itself evoked many fantastical images in him: "I imagined a lake nestled in the forest with a cascading waterfall, mist swirling over the water like a fairyland."
In fact, Tường visited during the dry season, so the waterfall wasn't very strong, and there was only a thin layer of mist on the lake and tree canopy. But the beauty of nature still made him stop for a long time to appreciate it: "I sat by the rock, watching the water meander through the stones and then cascade down to the lower steps, with a few small fish surfacing to swim against the current. It felt so peaceful."
Camping amidst pristine mountains and forests – an unforgettable experience at Tien Lake.
The trip was not just a sightseeing journey, but also a struggle with oneself – both physically and mentally. With heavy backpacks, Tuong and his friends traversed 10km of forest trails, then encountered a steep slope that seemed designed to test their resilience. “Each step felt heavy, my heart pounded, I was breathless, but all I could do was tell myself to persevere, so I could immerse myself in the cool, refreshing stream,” he recalled. “We joked, ‘Why not stay home on the weekend with the air conditioning on and warm under the blankets, instead of torturing ourselves like this!’”
The stream is crystal clear and refreshing.
Amidst the arduous journey, companions become invaluable pillars of support. They chat, recount their experiences, share lessons learned, and plan their next trip together. "Traveling through the jungle, with no phone signal, it's just us. That's when you truly see the strength and value of teamwork," Tuong said.
The scenery along the trekking route is impressive.
One of his most unforgettable memories was the afternoon he got stung on the knee by a bee while engrossed in taking pictures of a dead tree trunk. “It only hurt a little at the time, but when I woke up the next morning it was swollen and hard, and I still had to walk home. That pain became an unforgettable mark,” he laughed.
And then, as dawn broke over the lake, a gentle mist drifted through the cool air, the wind whispered, and birdsong echoed in the distance – that was the moment Tường experienced a feeling of "paradise," just as the lake's name suggests. "No noise or hustle and bustle, no human voices; I felt detached from the everyday world. All my worries vanished in this mountain forest," he said.
For Tuong, the most important thing to reach Ho Tien Lake is not material possessions, but "physical strength and mental fortitude – only these two things will help us take the final step towards our destination."
