High above: The view of Vung Tau Bay seen from the cable car on the Big Mountain.

by Minh Duc

Like its name, May (Cloud) Lake offers tourists a chance to feel like they are on cloud nine.

The tourist area gathers beautiful nature, an entertainment area, religious space and culinary service, which are enough for travellers to spend a one or two-day tour forgetting anxiety.

Located in Vung Tau City, Cloud Lake Eco-Tourism Park on Big Mountain is 120km away from HCM City.

It covers over 20ha with two manmade lakes, May Thuong (Upper Cloud Lake) and May Ha (Lower Cloud Lake), which were constructed at an altitude of dozens of metres, forming a wonderful waterfall, 9m high.

At sunset, clouds spread over the lakes' surface and mountains to create a dreamlike scenery, fascinating any visitor. Unlike other areas in the city, the eco-tourism park has the wild beauty of forests and mountains and it is cool all year round with an average temperature of 22-25oC. It has become a new ideal destination attracting many tourists.

Slide ‘n glide: Tourists ride on a rollercoaster. The entertainment area in the park provides tourists with many interesting rides. — Photos homaypark.com

It is easy to access the Big Mountain by riding cable car. Tourists can enjoy the view of the whole city below and Vung Tau Bay, a view unrivaled elsewhere in the city. It takes less than 10 minutes to soak up the nature of the eco-tourism at an altitude of 2,210m above sea level.

To serve tourists to visit the mountain, the management board has operated a tram system and specialised passenger trains up and down the mountain. How interesting to enjoy the feeling of sitting on the train and "climb" up the mountain slowly.

The spacious area offers tourists a chance to slowly walk along the edge of the park and enjoy a 360-degree view of the city, or hop on a shuttle and enjoy the rest of the park. Remember to take a map of the park while touring the zoo and amusement park for both children and adults.

While children can spend a day with the merry-go-round, whirligig, swings and slides, adults with love for adventure can try zip lining on the top of the mountain.

All will feel close to the nature when visiting the animals such as ostriches, deer, bear and horses and feed them with the guidance of the zoo staff. At the end of the tour, you can ride on a horse for a short loop through the park.

"You'll find a variety of plants and animals throughout the park, as far as animal exhibits in Viet Nam go, the animals seem to be well cared for," said tourist Max Murta.

Big Buddha: The view of the 9m high waterfall by Cloud Lake with the 30m high Mitreya Buddha statue, among the biggest in Viet Nam.

"The Alpine Roller Coaster is where you strap yourself into a railing seat and glide down the track with your own control of the brakes," he said.

Murta suggested that the most impressive thing for visitors is probably the game slide.

Less adventurous visitors would be able to explore a 9m waterfall. This is in the centre of the Cloud Lake park where you have shaded seating next to the water or romantic rides on swan pedal boats.

Tourists also love to rent a bicycle and cruise around the park or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride around the lake.

For those who like discovering the wild beauty of forests and mountains, they can follow the paths through the forest or go camping in cherry blossom or Caribbean pine forests. They are the gifts from the Japanese and Cuban people, respectively.

Cloud Lake is the biggest lake on the mountain. So, it is recommended to enjoy the sunset here. The last sunbeam of the day makes the lake blazing spectacularly.

A day as a tourist seems to go by so fast. I believe that everyone who visits this place can find joy for him/herself and want to come back one day. — VNS