Revisiting the "sky lake"

Located at the headwaters of the border of An Giang province, Binh Thien lagoon is also known as a "heavenly lake" by locals, with its peaceful beauty, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists to explore.

Legend of "sky lake"

Bung Binh Thien stretches across the territory of Nhon Hoi and Khanh Binh communes, including two lakes: Bung Lon and Bung Nho. Bung Lon has a water surface area of about 193ha, Bung Nho has a water surface area of about 10ha. Not only does it play a role in regulating water for a part of the Mekong Delta, Bung Binh Thien is also an attractive destination for tourists who love to explore the beauty of the river in the upstream area.

The difference in Binh Thien lagoon is that it has a source of clear water all year round. Although the lagoon mouth is connected to the Binh Di River (Binh Ghi) branch, the water from the big river flowing into the lake seems to be "filtered" to be clear and blue, different from the murky water of the canals, streams, rivers and lakes in the area. Especially, during the flood season, when the rivers are murky with alluvium, the water source in Binh Thien lagoon is still immense and blue.

"Aquatic carpet" covers the "sky lake"

Local elders recounted that the people passed down legends explaining the formation of Binh Thien lagoon, including one legend that while fleeing the Tay Son army through An Phu, due to the dry weather, the soldiers were hungry and tired but there was no water source around, Lord Nguyen Anh observed a large lake but only sand and rocks, so he drew his sword and stabbed it straight into the ground, suddenly a stream of water flowed out. Thanks to that water source, the entire army that followed Lord Nguyen Anh was saved.

The second legend says that at the end of the 18th century, a general of the Tay Son Dynasty, Vo Van Vuong, marched through the Binh Thien lagoon area during the dry season. Seeing a large but dry lake, Vo Van Vuong offered offerings to heaven and earth, hoping to give water to the soldiers. When he stabbed his sword into the ground, a stream of water gushed up and formed a lake. From then on, the lake was named Binh Thien lagoon by the people, also known as “heavenly lake”.

The legends explaining the name contribute to the attraction of Binh Thien lagoon, creating an impression on visitors from afar. Over time, Binh Thien lagoon remains peaceful and green, providing aquatic resources for people living in the area.

Peaceful Cham village

Tourists can visit and admire Binh Thien lagoon at any time of the year. However, the flood season is the time when the immense “sky lake” creates the most poetic and peaceful feeling. Around August every year, when the water flows from upstream, it is also the time when the water overflows the fields.

The rising water caused the two lakes, Big and Small, to merge into one. The surface of Binh Thien Lake now became vast, with a water surface area of up to about 900 hectares. Many types of aquatic plants appeared on the lake's surface, creating a charming, poetic, and vibrant picture.

The first time visiting Binh Thien lagoon, Nguyen Thi Thanh Dao, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City, expressed: “When I saw the pictures of Binh Thien lagoon on social media, I saw the peaceful scenery, so after visiting Ba Chua Xu on Sam mountain, I took the opportunity to come and admire the scenery. This lake is truly blessed by nature, seeing the peaceful scenery here makes people feel relaxed.”

Stopping at the empty land next to Binh Thien lagoon, opposite Masjid Al Khairiyah Mosque located in Nhon Hoi commune, under the shade of trees, looking towards Binh Thien lagoon, visitors will feel the cool breeze, see the clear blue water with "aquatic carpet" dotted with yellow flowers growing in long strips on the water surface.

In the distance, there are small boats drifting with nets. All of this creates a picture of a rural border area with a slow, leisurely daily life. During the flood season, the life of fishermen in Binh Thien lagoon becomes more vibrant, following the tide, fish and shrimp from the upstream area "flood" into the lagoon, making aquatic resources abundant.

As a resident living near Binh Thien lagoon, Mr. Nguyen Van The, residing in Nhon Hoi commune, said: “In addition to farming, I also do daily fishing, and the time when the water rises is considered a prosperous period. I just cast my net at dawn and by noon I can catch the fish and have a full day.”

Another impressive point is that when coming to Binh Thien lake, visitors can also learn about the unique culture of the Cham people, through their traditional costumes and unique architecture of their stilt houses. Around the "sky lake" there are hamlets of Cham people living together.

Most of the Cham people living here follow Islam. They live together under the Masjid Al Khairiyah Mosque. Therefore, when coming to Binh Thien lagoon, it is easy to see the image of Cham people including adults and children in traditional costumes going to pray at the mosque. This helps Binh Thien lagoon shine more brightly in the depth of the traditional culture of the Cham Islam community living around the lake.

Article and photos: MY LINH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/tham-lai-ho-nuoc-troi--a425237.html