From Hue City on National Highway 1A for about 30km and then onto a shade covered village road, Truoi Lake lies amidst magnificent mountains starting from the Bach Ma Range. The lake, located in Loc Hoa Commune, Phu Loc District, Thua Thien-Hue Province, is a frequent destination for tourists this summer.

The lake’s name is associated with the famous Truoi region in the central city of Hue including Truoi Mountain, Truoi River, Truoi Village and the Truoi people. The lake is a hydroelectric work built in 1996 and makes a strong impression with its crystal water and poetic surroundings. The lake has a 50m embankment and a capacity of 60 million cubic meters of water.

Upon reaching the wharf which is about 100m from the embankment, tourists hire a 15-20 seat boat to start the excursion and ask the boatman to be the tour guide. These tours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tourists pay VND200,000-250,000 per boat.

As the surroundings wind along Bach Ma Mountain, tourists can admire splendid sceneries. After 30 minutes on the boat, tourists may get hypnotized by the fascinating wilderness with the murmur of streams ahead and the hundreds of rocks emerging out of them. Here, tourists can take a bath, sit on the rocks and fish or stroll around to discover nature. Daily worries and stresses will surely drift away with the flowing water.

Visitors should bring some food for the picnic and then catch fish and have lunch together. After a meal, tourists can explore the forest at the foot of Thanh Long Mountain to enjoy the wildlife. This forest is home to many species of seasoned trees and wild animals.

On the way back to the wharf, tourists should not miss Truc Lam Bach Ma Pagoda nestled at the foot of Linh Son Mountain to contemplate its elegant architecture as well as to find tranquility for the soul. Tourists must first conquer 172 stone steps to reach the pagoda but the panoramic view of Truoi Lake is worth the sweat. The pagoda was built in 2006 on an area of 1.9ha on top of a lovely hill. (Source: SGT)