Ben Nom experiences two seasons: rainy and dry.

I've visited Ben Nom in Thong Nhat commune twice. Interestingly, I visited on two different days and at two contrasting times: one sunny afternoon during the dry season and another morning during the rainy season when the water level was high. I was involuntarily amazed and delighted, as if I had encountered an old friend in two different forms, one lively and the other contemplative.

Ben Nom during the dry season. Photo: Contributor.

My first time becoming an impromptu tour guide was in May, when my photographer friend from Vung Tau came to visit and insisted on going to Ben Nom to take photos to fulfill his dream. From Dau Giay, we drove about 18km on National Highway 20 towards Da Lat, wandering to Ben Nom in the hazy twilight.

I stood still for a few seconds, as if time had stopped in the blink of an eye. Before me was a breathtakingly beautiful natural scene. The afternoon sun was setting, gently touching the earth, casting a dreamy golden glow over the landscape. A vast expanse of green meadow stretched at the foot of Mount Cúi, herds of buffalo and cattle grazed peacefully. High above, kites soared through the clear sky, their whistling sounds like whispers of the wind, making even the clouds seem poetic. Carefree shepherd children, their muddy feet treading on the grass, their heads bathed in sunlight, chased each other playfully, their laughter ringing out. In the distance, fishing boats lay silently, as if asleep after a day's journey on the lake. Their nets lay exposed in the crimson glow of the setting sun.

What makes Ben Nom Lake unique this season is the layer of green algae silently flourishing. I feel as if the lake's surface is draped in a soft, vibrant green cloak bestowed by nature. From above, the aerial photograph taken by my friend's drone made me feel like I was in a dream. I was speechless before the seemingly contrasting beauty: land and water, serene and vast, yet harmoniously blended as if by divine providence.

In the fading twilight, the deep brown of the winding landmasses embracing the blue lake's surface is serene, the water seeping into the fertile alluvial soil like blood vessels nourishing the land. The submerged islands, once silently nestled beneath the vast lake, now emerge as masterful brushstrokes, adding a touch of artistry to this tranquil and captivating landscape.

The second time I came here, it wasn't a tranquil May afternoon, where the sunlight fell softly like the sigh of time. It was a hazy morning, mist enveloping the vast lake. The atmosphere was ethereal; people's faces were indistinguishable, only the murmuring laughter and chatter of the fishermen could be heard. For generations, they had drifted on the waves. Their lives were intertwined with the turbulent sea, on their swaying boats through countless seasons of rain and sunshine. Their simple yet resilient lives were encapsulated in two words: "the life of the fish"...

It was still early morning, dew still clinging to the blades of grass, but the sounds of people calling out to each other, oars splashing in the water, and fish thrashing in the boats filled the entire dock. We strolled around the market. Before me were huge catfish wriggling in the hands of the fishermen. Today was a bountiful day, with a school of plump, firm catfish with shiny black scales. We crowded around, "demanding" to buy some. The fishermen here were very easygoing; they smiled in the morning light, letting me freely catch the fish I liked. Afterwards, they weighed them and calculated the price, even giving me a bonus of a batch of small shrimp to fry and eat with rice crackers. It turns out that people don't lose their generosity when they live in hardship; on the contrary, that generosity is always present in those who live in harmony with nature.

We left the fish market as the sun was high in the sky. Sitting in the car, my heart was still filled with unspoken thoughts. It's strange, isn't it? People living amidst the river, busy and hardworking all year round, yet still maintaining a gentle smile like the morning sun. Sometimes, a single visit is enough to make you fall in love and remember. I suddenly realized I had fallen in love with Ben Nom.

Nguyen Tham

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202510/ben-nom-2-mua-mua-nang-4e8024b/