What to Expect in Toong Dam Lake in Mang Den?

Toong Dam Lake is one of 7 lakes in Mang Den Vietnam (six other lakes are Toong Ly Leng, Toong Ziu, Toong Zơ Ri, Toong Săng, Toong Pô, Dak Ke). Surrounded by low hills covered by lush pine forests, this lake spans 7 hectares, making it the biggest lake in the area.

From late December to early February, it’s cherry blossom season in Mang Den. Toong Dam Lake becomes one of the most popular places to see and take photos with this pretty flower.

To see Toong Dam Lake, visitors need to go to the coffee shop on its west shore. Buying a coffee is required here. For that reason, visiting this lake is not free.

There is one legend to explain the formation of Toong Dam Lake and other natural landmarks in Mang Den. It’s passed down by generations of Ro Nam people, one of the smallest ethnic groups in Vietnam (around 700 people today), who traditionally lived in the area. In the legend, their Yang Plinh (or the King of Heaven) sent 7 sons to Mang Den. After that, their wifes would become animals (pig, fish, lizard, deer). Yang Pling also reminded them that they can not eat the animal which their own wife transforms into. Later, these men established seven villages and thanks to wealth, a festival was taken place. Because feeling very happy and too drunk, they forgot the taboo and ate the meat of pig/fish/lizard/deer. Just the smallest man remembered and didn’t eat. Their father got angry then and he burnt all of seven villages. In the end, the people saw 7 lakes created.