Lak Lake

Makarenko Sasha · CC BY-SA 3.0

The largest natural freshwater lake in the Central Highlands, ringed by M'nong villages and ricefields.

Lak Lake lies in a bowl closed by hills, vast in the rains and drawing back into sheets of green water in the dry season. Around it are M'nong villages where longhouses still stand and people paddle dugout canoes out to their nets at first light. On the hill above sits Bao Dai's hunting lodge — the last emperor chose this spot to shoot and to rest, and from his veranda the lake runs out to the mountains. Early in the morning, with thin mist lying on the water and gongs carrying from a distant village, Lak is the Central Highlands as people imagine them.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Lak Lake?

November to April

How long do you need at Lak Lake?

Half a day or one night

What are the opening hours of Lak Lake?

Year-round

Did you know

It is the largest natural freshwater lake in the Central Highlands.
M'nong villages with traditional longhouses ring the lake.
Emperor Bao Dai's lodge stands on the hill beside the lake.
Local people still fish from dugout canoes on the lake.

Travel tips

Take a dugout at first light, while the mist is still on the water.
Stay in a longhouse at Jun or M'Lieng village to hear gongs in the evening.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lak_Lake

Updated: 2026-08-06