According to a local legend, a general from the Tay Son time (1778-1802) chose this location for his troops sanctuary. Due to the dry soil, the general set up an altar to offer gifts and prayers to God, hoping in return they would receive water. At the worshipping site, he planted his sword into the ground then withdrew it. From the gash in the soil came a current of water so plentiful that it formed Binh Thien Lake .

 
The Binh Di River flowing into Binh Thien Lake.

Binh Thien Lake is close to the Vietnam-Cambodia border so the local people have both cultural and economic exchanges. Most of them make their living by fishing from motorboats on the Mekong River.

A swimming competition at Binh Thien Lake.

In the rainy season the lake's surface expands to around 900ha, as compared to 300ha during the dry season. During the flood season, the branch of the Binh Di River that flows into Binh Thien Lake is muddy with alluvia, but in the lake the water is clear blue.

Near the lake, there is a village of the ethnic Cham people who have maintained their unique cultural identities. The village lane is shaded with trees.

Selling fish just caught from Binh Thien Lake.

During the Ramadan Festival (the 9^th month of the year in the Islamic calendar) when the Muslims eat only vegetarian cooking, Cham people wear their most beautiful clothes. According to Islamic Monk Masale, this Cham village has existed for more than 100 years. There are hundreds of houses-on-stilts surrounding a Mosque.

Checking the net before fishing.

Images of the elderly people going to the Mosque for a prayer meeting, young Cham girls in their traditional costumes with a white headscarf and children playing in the yard under the trees' shading during the Ramadan time are often seen. The Cham people in this locality who follow the religion of Islam are called Cham Islam or Cham Muslim, who have built up the cultural identities of the Cham ethnic group living in the Mekong River delta.

The locals’ weaving sideline.

A small stall selling fruits to villagers.

Cham children on the way to school.

A little Cham girl in her traditional attire goes to school.

The Cham Hamlet in Binh Thien.

Doan Cong Huy, Chairman of Nhon Hoi Commune People's Committee, said that An Phu District's authorities have devised a project to build this commune into a tourist area for cultural preservation, relaxation and entertainment, which belongs to the Khanh Binh border economic zone in An Phu District.

Source: Vietnam.vnanet.vn