Lake of wild islands

      There’s much to see and do at Phu Ninh, the biggest manmade lake in the central province of Quang Nam.
With an average depth of 32 meters and a surface of 3,433 hectares, the reservoir waters more than 23,000 hectares of cropland, and is also used for flood control.
Located seven kilometers west of Tam Ky, Phu Ninh Lake was created by a dam on the Ba Ky River. As the water rose, it turned rocky hills into verdant islands.
Early in the morning is the best time to travel around the lake by boat and watch the sun rise.
Small rays of sunlight break through the thin film of fog that shrouds the dozens of islands.
Swimming in the water is legal and highly recommended, especially near the rocky shores of the “wild islands,” as they are called.
A good place to visit is Tam Son, a fishing village where they use nets to catch carp.
If you feel so inclined, you can grab a fishing rod and bait to catch fish in the rock cavities that dot the shoreline.
There are so many fish that even a novice angler is bound to haul in something tasty.
In the afternoon, you can visit a hot spring where water of more than 70 degrees Celsius whooshes up from the depths of Phu Ninh, then look for a “wild island” to pitch a tent and cook your fish.
Exploring the lake comes to an end when the sun sets behind the Truong Son Range.
At night, as a cool breeze blows and tiny waves splash against the rocks, it’s pleasant to put out some mats by the boat house and drink rice wine while waiting for the moon to rise.
The developers have not ignored Phu Ninh Lake. Already there is a resort with places like Duong Lam Dike, Dong So Island, Ong Nghe Mausoleum and Ba Trang Pit to see.
A package tour is available for VND300,000-1 million (around US$17-56). If you wish to explore the area on your own, renting a rowboat costs VND20,000-40,000 per hour.