DongNai (VNS/VNA) - Tri An Lake, a man-made lake that stores water forthe Tri An Power Plant in southern Dong Nai province, is an isolateddestination, little-known by tourists.

The area is thinly populated and few vehicles pass by, leaving visitors aloneto enjoy absolute quiet. Locals here lead a peaceful life. Every day, theydrive their boats to catch fish in the lake then sell them to faraway markets.

The lake is 323sq.km in area with islands of various sizes. Besides concreteddykes and dams, the lake has other places suitable for picnics and camping.

Naturalbeauty

Elegantand quiet as a countryside lake, Tri An transcends its man-made status by being“an evergreen mirror in which the golden sun is reflected.” The whole area isfull of the sun, the sky and the wind. Visitors can always see the wind makingthe water’s surface dance while clouds lazily flowing above head.

Thelake’s highlights include Dong Truong Island (22ha) and O Island (2.1ha) in VinhAn town, Vinh Cuu district, Dong Nai province. Imagine a typical summerSouthern morning all year round: Dong Truong Island and O Island make for agreen and relaxing area where you can set up a picnic and campfire. On theislands, the extraordinary quiet lets you focus on the mountain range lying inthe distant legendary Nam Cat Tien National Park.

Theessential experience here is spending the night. Visitors can hire a boat,lying inside and let the current take them without thinking; the boat willfloat in tune with the water in the moonlight in a breezy night.

Thelocals are quite easy-going. If visitors are well-behaved and care forenvironmental protection, doing no damage to the lake and trees, they will bevery welcoming and helpful.

Itis said that backpackers and tourists came here and saw a low-water arearevealing a vast area of rocks and stones which created fences embracing someponds of water. They called the pristine spot "Rocky Stream”. Rocks andstones of dark colours are run over each other, making the ponds of green waterstand out.

Specialtyfood

Visitorsshould supply their own food and water on their camping trips to Dong Truong –O Islands. However, do not forget that the lake offers plenty of fresh fish. Inthe rainy season, the water runs down from the upstream of Dong Nai River, and TriAn Lake supply hits its peak.

Thespecialty of the lake is lang (Hemibagrus) fish. The fresh and oily lake fishmay weight several kilograms. They can be used to serve as lang fish sour soup,crispy fried lang fish, grilled lang fish with salt and chili, or lang fish hotpot.-VNA