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Being a citizen of the North, I’ve always been curious about people, life and
the countryside in the South, but it wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I had the
chance to visit one of the most popular tourism destinations in Tay Ninh
Province – Dau Tieng Lake.
 | | Stepping stones: Truc
Stream attracts people for not only its natural and wild beauty but also because
of its fresh and cool environment. | The
lake, which is located in Phuoc Minh Commune, 20km from the provincial centre,
covers 27,000ha and has a capacity of 1.5 billion cu.m, irrigating Tay Ninh
Province as well as neighbouring localities. Dau
Tieng Lake is famous firstly because it is the largest man-made irrigation
reservoir in Viet Nam and secondly, given its remote location, for its
breathtaking landscape of mountains and mysterious islets. The crystal-like lake
provides clean water and a fresh, pure atmosphere that visitors can relax in. Rising
majestically out of the lake, Mount Cau dominates the landscape, covered in a
thick primeval forest. Scattered across the lake are a number of islets and the
green banks offer inviting camping and fishing spots. Mt Cau
is 198m high and boasts diverse flora and 1,600ha of protected forest. At the
top of the mountain stands the Thai Son Pagoda, which attracts many pilgrims at
full moon. Next to
the mountain buried deep in the rubber plantation is Cau Nom Lake, where the
combination of the clean water and fresh air create a tranquil atmosphere. In my
opinion, the area around the two lakes is a great place for tourists who either
want to relax after a hard days work, go camping with family and friends or try
out water sports. However,
despite its beauty, a shortage of basic infrastructure such as hotels,
restaurants and services mean this is a day trip at most (unless you decide to
camp).
 | | Promenade: Dau
Tieng Lake is one of Tay Ninh Province’s most well-known locations, although it
needs more investment to improve facilities. (Photos: VNS) | From Dau
Tieng Lake, my friends and I walked for about 5km through the rubber plantation
and reached Truc (small bamboo tree) Stream, which runs down from Mt Cau into
Binh Duong Province’s Dau Tieng District. The name
of the stream originates from its source further up the hill in a small bamboo
forest, and my friends and I decided to try and find it. The
first thing I saw were huge flat rocks that nature had arranged into stairs
leading to a shelter for a giant, according to a legend told by local residents. Passing
through the huge shelter was like walking through a stone maze, with millions of
small stones arranged in all sorts of different shapes. One
friend had the bright idea of stopping there for a picnic lunch, so we made
makeshift chairs and a table out of the rocks, and spent a leisurely couple of
hours enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The
fresh air and cool atmosphere enhanced by the murmuring stream and twittering
birds were like something out of a fairy tale. Leaving
the maze, we reached the giant’s stone bed which covers an area of about 3sq.km.
The ‘bed’ is covered with natural wrinkles that local residents say were made by
the giant as he tossed and turned in his sleep. A
beautiful staired waterfall was awaiting us ahead, where visitors, including
ourselves, did not miss the chance to take photos. “I have
been taking photos here for a long time but it wasn’t until 2003 that the area
becoming a popular tourist destination for local residents and those from
neighbouring Tay Ninh Province,” said Nguyen Van Den, a photographer. Den said
it was a beautiful setting and it was a shame that not many people from other
cities and provinces knew about it. He added that only a small number of
visitors were from HCM City and other localities although the number had
increased recently. Den said
Truc Stream was a popular destination all year round but it was most beautiful
during the sixth to tenth months of the lunar calendar. He said it was because
the area had remained relatively untouched by humans that it retained its wild
and natural beauty. Den also
showed us one of three small ponds around the stream where he said not many
people could refuse the inviting waters on a hot summers day. “Some of
them even enjoy skinny dipping. It looks funny but it feels great to escape the
hot weather in the cool water,” Den said and laughed.
Departing the stream at sunset, my friends promised they would return soon when
it was a bit quieter, to enjoy a once in a lifetime naturalist experience.
VietNamNet/Viet
Nam News | 
