Lake of pleasant dreams

Phu Ninh Lake aims to become central Quang Nam province’s ultimate nature retreat
The central province of Quang Nam is full of charm. It boasts the ancient town of Hoi An, the My Son Tower, which is a remnant of the Champa kingdom, and the vast Phu Ninh Lake.
Located 7km from Tam Ki city on a road that links two World Heritage areas, Phu Ninh Lake is endowed with beautiful landscapes, a diversified ecosystem, plenty of mineral water and wonderful weather.
The lake covers a total of more than 23,000ha, which is dotted with about 30 idyllic islands. The area is home to more than 142 plant species and 148 kinds of animals, including 14 listed in the Viet Nam Red Book of threatened species.
Phu Ninh is the name of a small village on the Que River. In 1927, the French colonial government had plans to dam the river and create a lake.
But nothing happened until 1977 when construction finally began after a strong push by Quang Nam residents backed by national experts. For 11 years until 1986, tens of millions of tonnes of soil and stones were moved into place to dam the Que River and create the lake.
The dam, the biggest in the central region and the second biggest in the nation, is a major tourist attraction.
To tap into the tourism potential of Phu Ninh, the local government has created a development plan in consultation with the French As Conis Group and sponsorship from the French province of Nors Pas de Clais.
Nearly 700ha out of the total 23,000ha Phu Ninh Lake area is included in the plan. So, in the future, tourists will have access to eight different areas, including the Tu Yen Tourist Centre, a mountain resort, mineral bathing resort, accommodation, residential complex, eco tourism and camping.
Some services are already available for tourists. Others are underway, including the mineral baths. "When the baths are developed, people will be able to swim and enjoy the warm, healthy water, which has high value for treating health problems and for relaxation," said an official from the provincial Tourism Development Centre.
The people in the region are friendly and live close to nature. Phu Ninh is a place to visit for those wishing to get away from noisy, crowded and polluted cities.
The first impression when visitors arrive in Phu Ninh is the vast lake, blue skies, mountains, islands and pure air. Even when the sun is shining, the weather is usually cool.
From the entrance gate to the tourism area is about 5km. The Tu Yen centre has comfortable hotels and restaurants, an eco tourist boat fleet and places for fishing and camping.
Visitors can visit Black Stone Hill, examine the model of the whole ecological area and visit small islands. One island is known as Rua because it resembles a swimming turtle, another is called Sixty One Island because it is 61m above sea level. Su Island is named after its rubber trees and Khi Island is full of monkeys.
The day begins in Phu Ninh with the songs of birds echoing through the forests - tiem to wake up and breathe in the freshest air imaginable and go for a swim in clear, blue water.
As the sunlight spreads across the surface of the lake, visitors can catch a boat to visit the great dam wall blocking the river. Old temples and pagodas lie at the base of mountains stretching as far as the eye can see.
They are often wreathed in mist and light swirls of smoke wafting up from kitchen fires in a village at the base of one of the mountains.
For those interested in fishing, small boats are available for those who wish to go it alone. It is not difficult to manoeuvre one of the small vessels.
Many say there is nowhere where it easier to catch fish than in Phu Ninh. Fish seem to lie in wait for a baited hook. Some tourists light little fires to barbecue their catch - others get restaurants to do it for them.
When night arrives, tourists often gather around camp fires on one of the islands singing merrily as the moon and stars shine overhead.
The sounds of light breezes in the leaves and waves lapping on the shore eventually put everyone to sleep.