Vietnam, a land of scenic beauty, boasts countless natural wonders, from vast oceans to majestic mountains. Each region and every countryside holds unique charms, inspiring exploration and captivating wanderlust. If you’re seeking a destination to immerse yourself in pristine nature and admire the magnificent mountains and forests, Ta Dung Lake in Dak Nong is a perfect suggestion. This place, known as the “Halong Bay of the Highlands,” promises unforgettable and emotionally enriching travel experiences.
Ta Dung Lake – The “Halong Bay of the Highlands” Masterpiece
Upon hearing the title “Halong Bay of the Highlands” bestowed upon Ta Dung Lake, many might be curious and question the validity of this comparison. However, all doubts will vanish when you witness the unique and unparalleled beauty of Ta Dung with your own eyes. Standing before this majestic natural landscape, you’ll be amazed and exclaim, “Ta Dung is indeed an impressive miniature version of Halong Bay!”
Ta Dung Lake is likened to a miniature Halong Bay of the Central Highlands, with pristine and majestic beauty
Amidst the vast expanse of the mirror-like lake, verdant hills rise and fall, standing tall like magnificent islands in the open sea. What’s special is that these “islands” are formed from the characteristic red basalt soil of the Central Highlands, creating a beauty that is both majestic and fertile. Sunlight shines down on the lake, creating shimmering streaks of light, further enhancing the magical and poetic beauty of Ta Dung.
With the peaceful, expansive, and unique beauty of nearly 40 large and small islands, shaped differently and softly winding across the lake, the comparison of Ta Dung to “Halong Bay” is entirely justified. The harmonious combination of mountains, forests, and lake water has created a picturesque landscape, leaving anyone who sets foot here in awe of the beauty bestowed by nature.
Best Time to Visit Ta Dung Lake
One of the most frequently asked questions by travelers planning a trip to Ta Dung is, “When is the best time to visit Ta Dung?” With the characteristic climate of the highlands, Ta Dung has two distinct seasons: the rainy season (from May to October) and the dry season (from November to April of the following year). Depending on your preferences and travel purposes, you can choose the appropriate time to explore Ta Dung.
Traveling to Ta Dung in the rainy season, you will admire the lush green beauty, full of vitality of the mountains and forests
However, you don’t need to worry too much if you plan to visit Ta Dung during the rainy season. Because the weather here is quite special, rain usually only appears in the late afternoon or evening. During the day, the sky is still clear and sunny, very favorable for sightseeing and exploration activities. To be more proactive for your trip, you should check the weather forecast before departing to be best prepared.
The rainy season also brings a very unique beauty to Ta Dung. At this time, the lake water rises, and plants are nourished, becoming lush and verdant. The scenery of Ta Dung seems to be wearing a new coat, full of vitality and more charming than ever. The wonderful watercolor painting between the sky, mountains, and rivers will captivate you and make you reluctant to leave.
If you visit Ta Dung on weekends, especially on days when the fair market is held, you will have the opportunity to experience the unique traditional culture of the Mong community. They are migrants from the northern mountains who came here to live and establish their careers. Ta Dung fair market has a strong highland atmosphere, reminiscent of remote border markets like Sapa.
Where is Ta Dung Lake? Directions to Ta Dung
Ta Dung Lake is located in the Ta Dung Nature Reserve, within Dak Nong province. Administratively, the lake belongs to both Dak Som and Dak P’lao communes, Dak Glong district. Ta Dung Lake is associated with the Dong Nai 3 hydropower project, with a vast water surface area of up to 5000 hectares, including about 40 large and small islands. This place not only has beautiful natural landscapes but is also a habitat for many rare endemic bird species.
Explore the pristine and majestic beauty of Ta Dung Lake, an attractive destination in Dak Nong
The lake area stretches as far as Bao Loc, Lam Dong, creating a cool, pleasant climate, ideal for tourism and relaxation. Besides the name Ta Dung, the lake is also known by another name, Dong Nai 3 Hydropower Lake, as it is one of the main lakes in the hydropower system on the Dong Nai River.
After being dammed, this hydropower lake became vast and became a unique masterpiece of art, a harmonious combination of pristine natural scenery and human creativity.
How to get to Ta Dung Lake?
Ta Dung is about 300km from Ho Chi Minh City and about 160km from Buon Ma Thuot city. There are many means of transportation for you to choose to get to Ta Dung, depending on your starting point and personal preferences.
- For visitors from the North: Traveling by plane to Buon Ma Thuot airport is the optimal choice to save time and effort. From Buon Ma Thuot, you can rent a car or motorbike to continue your journey to Ta Dung. Combining a trip to Ta Dung with other famous destinations in the Central Highlands is also a good suggestion to fully explore the beauty of this land.
- For visitors from Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces: Coach is a popular and cost-effective means of transportation. You can go to the Eastern Bus Station and choose reputable bus operators to Buon Ma Thuot such as Kim Chi, Hung Kien, Minh Long, An Khang buses, etc. Travel time by coach is about 5-6 hours.
Detailed directions to Ta Dung Lake, helping you easily plan your trip
Another option is that you can take a coach along National Highway 14 to go directly to Gia Nghia town, the center of Dak Nong province. From Gia Nghia, continue on National Highway 28 to Dak Som commune, which is close to the Ta Dung Lake area.
From the center of Dak Som commune, you can easily find your way to Ta Dung Lake by following Google Maps or asking local people. The road is quite convenient for both motorbikes and cars.
Renting a motorbike in Gia Nghia or Dak Som is also a great idea for you to freely explore Ta Dung and enjoy the natural scenery along the way. With a motorbike, you can reach many beautiful places and experience the stunning lakeside road. Motorbike rental prices range from 150,000 – 200,000 VND/day (depending on the time and type of vehicle).
What to Do in Ta Dung Lake? Unique Experiences at the “Halong Bay of the Central Highlands”
Coming to Ta Dung, the best thing is to immerse yourself in pristine nature, enjoy the peaceful space, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This place still retains its pristine beauty, not yet heavily exploited for tourism, offering you authentic nature exploration experiences.
Enjoy the "chill" space amidst the pristine nature of Ta Dung Lake, temporarily forgetting the worries of life
Although there are not many modern entertainment areas, Ta Dung has a special attraction due to its natural beauty and nature-friendly experiences.
1. Boat trip to admire Ta Dung Lake:
To fully appreciate the beauty of Ta Dung Lake, there is nothing better than renting a boat to cruise around the lake. Sitting on the boat, you will admire the close-up views of the blue islands, weave through small, charming bays, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the peace of nature.
The cost of renting a boat to visit the lake is about 1 million VND/trip for a group of 10-15 people. If you go in a small group, you can join a group to save costs. The boat will take you to visit the most beautiful spots on the lake and to the overnight camping area if you wish.
2. Camping by Ta Dung Lake:
Overnight camping by Ta Dung Lake is an unmissable experience. Amidst the quiet mountains and forests, the starry night sky, and the shimmering moonlight on the lake, you will have memorable moments with friends and loved ones.
Experience overnight camping at Ta Dung Lake, immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the romantic space
Camping areas in Ta Dung are usually equipped with basic amenities such as tents, BBQ grills, toilets, etc. You can prepare your own food or order BBQ at nearby homestays. Waking up early in the morning amidst the mountains and forests, welcoming the sunrise over the lake is an extremely refreshing and unforgettable experience.
3. Explore Ta Dung Fair Market:
If you come to Ta Dung on weekends, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Ta Dung Fair Market. The fair market is a place for trade and gathering of local people, especially the Mong community. Here, you can learn about the culture, customs, and habits of the local people, enjoy local specialties, and shop for unique handicrafts.
Explore the unique culture of Ta Dung Fair Market, experience the unique highland market space
4. Visit nearby tourist attractions:
In addition to Ta Dung Lake, this area also has many other attractive tourist destinations that you can combine visiting such as:
- Chu Bluk Cave: One of the longest volcanic caves in Southeast Asia, with mysterious and unique beauty.
- Dieu Thanh Waterfall: A waterfall hidden in the green forest, with pristine and poetic beauty.
- Ea Sno Ta Dung Lake: A natural lake with peaceful and tranquil beauty.
- Dak Nia Traditional Craft Village: A place to preserve and promote the traditional brocade weaving craft of ethnic minorities.
Where to Eat in Ta Dung Lake? Enjoy Central Highlands Specialties
Tourism in Ta Dung is still quite pristine, and dining services have not developed strongly. However, you can still find some restaurants and eateries serving local dishes. To be more proactive, you should prepare extra snacks and drinks for your trip, especially if you plan to camp.
Enjoy delicious grilled chicken, a specialty not to be missed when coming to Ta Dung
Some suggestions for dining places in Ta Dung:
K’Jang Restaurant
- Address: Bon Pang so, Dak Som commune, Dak Glong district, Dak Nong (on National Highway 28, 1.5km from Ta Dung tourist area).
- Phone: 0932 689 968
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM.
Spacious and airy space of K'Jang restaurant, an ideal destination to enjoy local cuisine
K’Jang Restaurant is a popular spot for many tourists due to its spacious, airy space and beautiful views. The restaurant’s menu is diverse with Central Highlands specialties such as lam rice, hill chicken, ethnic minority pork, wild vegetables, rice wine, etc. In particular, shrimp and kìm fish are Ta Dung lake’s own specialties that you should try.
K'Jang restaurant specializes in serving Central Highlands specialties, imbued with the flavor of mountains and forests
Rustic wooden tables and chairs create a cozy and intimate atmosphere at K'Jang restaurant
Beautiful view is a big plus of K'Jang restaurant, where you can both eat and admire the scenery
Where to Stay in Ta Dung Lake? Comfortable Accommodation Options
Besides the experience of camping in nature, if you want to find a more comfortable and convenient place to stay, you can refer to homestays and resorts near Ta Dung Lake. Although there are no luxury hotels yet, the homestays here still meet the basic needs of visitors and offer nature-friendly experiences.
Topview Homestay (Uncle Dong’s House)
Topview Homestay, also known as Uncle Dong’s House, is one of the most famous accommodation options in Ta Dung. The homestay has many different types of rooms, from private rooms to dorm rooms, with prices ranging from 700,000 VND/night. In addition, the homestay also provides tent rental services from 300,000 VND/tent.
Infinity pool at Topview Homestay, where you can relax and admire the beautiful scenery of Ta Dung
The highlight of Topview Homestay is the infinity pool with views overlooking Ta Dung Lake, offering a wonderful relaxing space and “million-like” check-in angles. From here, you can admire the panoramic view of Ta Dung Lake hidden in the early morning mist, a picture-perfect scene.
Even if you don’t stay at the homestay, you can still visit Topview Homestay to sightsee, drink coffee, and check-in for a fee of just under 100,000 VND/person.
Unique "virtual living" corner at Topview Homestay, attracting a large number of visitors to check-in
Ta Dung Tourist Area
Ta Dung Tourist Area is also a worthy accommodation option to consider. This place has overnight rooms with lake views, along with many “virtual living” check-in spots that are well-invested such as angel wings, Bali bird nests, etc.
Popular "angel wings" check-in spot at Ta Dung tourist area, with majestic natural background
Ta Dung glass bridge hidden in the mist, a "hot hit" check-in spot for young people
The special highlight at Ta Dung tourist area is the transparent glass bridge, giving the feeling of walking in mid-air. In addition, the small observatory is also an ideal place for you to admire the panoramic view of Ta Dung from above.
Hopefully, with these detailed Ta Dung travel experiences, you will have a complete and memorable trip to explore the “Halong Bay of the Central Highlands”. Don’t forget to book cheap air tickets on online travel apps to save costs for your journey!