The mystical beauty of Nui Coc lake

(VNF) – Located 100 km from Hanoi, Nui Coc, a man-made lake in Dai Tu District, Thai Nguyen Province is well-known for its spectacular and legendary beauty and the romantic love story of a young couple.

Nui Coc Lake located in Dai Tu District, Thai Nguyen Province. (source: Honuicoc)

Driving along the windy roads from Thai Nguyen City’s centre to Tan Cuong Commune where there are immense terraced tea fields, we arrived in Nui Coc Lake Tourism Area that was built in a total area of 19,000ha.

Since it was put into operation, the tourism area has attracted a large number of tourists, credited to its scenery that looks like a water-colour painting.

The lake, covering an area of 25km2, was constructed in 1993 on the Cong River, a tributary of the Red River with a main dam, 480m long, and six supporting dams.

It is surrounded by mountains and green tea hills.

Visiting the tourism area, tourists not only explore the natural beauty, enjoy entertainment activities and the region’s specialties, but also learn about a romantic love story of a girl named Cong and a man named Coc.

The touching legend has inspired a famous musician to compose a love song named “The Legend of Nui Coc Lake” (Huyền Thoại Hồ Núi Cốc).

The song’s beautiful lyrics tell the legend of Nui Coc Lake and many people learn it by heart and dream of travelling to the place.

According to the folk tale, once upon a time, there were a guy named Coc and a girl named Cong. They loved each other passionately, but encountered strong objection from their families, since Coc's family was too poor, while the girl’s family was very wealthy. Nonetheless, they still determine to wait for each other. Coc usually blew his flute to communicate with Cong, till one day, it failed to reach Cong’s room. Cong thought that he had forgotten her. She was heartbroken and died.

Their story made the fairy in the sky feels pity for him and Coc was later transformed into a mountain. During four seasons, the lover’s flute was blown by the wind through the leaves to resound it. Why Cong's tears were absorbed into the soil, and find its way to Coc Mountain, forming a river nearby. Since then every year, in summer, when violet sim (violet myrtle flower) boomed on Coc Mountain and on Cong River, people remember this beautiful love.

Discovering small islands on Nui Coc Lake by boat. (source: Honuicoc)

Receiving the bad news, Cong was hearbroken and bewailed her lover until she died. Her tears flow formed a river, which was named after her. The Cong river soaks deep into the soil to raise tea plants; thereby creating a specialty of Thai Nguyen – Tan Cuong tea.

Nowadays, Nui Coc lake has become a favorite getaway destination to many tourists, especially those from the nearby provinces and cities like Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang.

From Hanoi, it takes only 1.5 hour to travel to Nui Coc lake by car. Transportation has become much convenient, especially for those from Hanoi, since the road from Hanoi – Thai Nguyen have been rennovated to meet with the demand of tourists.

Throughout 18km of windy roads from Thai Nguyen City’s centre to the pictureque lake, tourists can enjoy the eye-soothing natural landscape of exuberanly emerald rice fields, tea-terraced fields on hills, and gentle rivers under a blue sky.

Poetic landscape (source: Honuicoc)

Nui Coc Lake, with a width of 2,600 ha and a depth of 50m, is a fascinating eco-tourism destination. The lake includes 89 islets; some are covered with trees, some with flocks of birds, and others with flocks of storks or mountain goats. There are about 40 species of birds and 15 species of mammals have been listed in the reservoir area.

Next to the lake, Coc Mountain stands imposingly toward the crystal-blue sky, shinning in the bright sunshine over every blade of grass and twig, forming a breathtaking view. Tranquil atmosphere in the area is an excellent environment for visitors to find their peace of mind, away from the hustle and bustle of the urban life.

Taking a boat ride is an ideal way to behold the mystical landscape of Nui Coc lake, as it provides tourists a panaromic view. The water surface is like a giant mirror reflecting the on-shore mountains and trees. All of them have formed a marvelous and splendid scenery, which can enchant any visitor.

After finishing the boat trip, tourists can take another trip to the amusement park in the tourism area. One of the highlights of the park is the complex of “Thuyet Nhan Qua” (causality) which was built according to the style of “Thieng Thac Vang Pagoda in the Buddha’s Heart”.

In the pagoda, there are sculptural art works carved on the walls, featuring the Buddhist philosophy of the causality.

The whole area of the pagoda, including the central chamber, three-door gate, the hall worshiping Three Refuges (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) and the ancestor worshipping hall in the pagoda, was built under the Buddha’s throne that faces the lake with magnificent look amidst the lush green forests and mountains.

The 45-meter high Buddha statue and the Buddha’s throne has a horizontal diameter of 37m.

In addition, visitors to Nui Coc Lake can take a trip to other interesting spots, including the Huyen Thoai Cung (Palace of Legends), an animal reservation, a fairy tale house, an artificial cave system and a light music stage that was built in an area of 1ha with a 40m high water fountain./.

( VNF )