Menu
Destinations→Locations→Blog→Map→About→
lake · nature · forest

Dầu Tiếng Lake

Dầu Tiếng Lake is the largest artificial reservoir in Vietnam - a 270km² expanse of water on the Tây Ninh and Bình Dương border, surrounded by forest and used for irrigation, with sunrise photography, lakeside cycling, and the nearby Chùa Thái Sơn temple on Núi Cậu among the main visitor draws.

Largest ReservoirSunrise PhotographyCyclingCamping
Get Directions

Overview

Best Time to Visit
Early morning (before sunrise) for photography and the coolest temperatures - the lake is at its most atmospheric with morning mist and fishing boats out on the water
Entry Fee
Free
Opening Hours
Open daily
Address
Dầu Tiếng, Bình Dương / Tây Ninh border

Things to Know

Crowds
Quiet and peaceful, especially suitable for weekend relaxation away from city crowds
Safety
There is no lifeguard presence around the lake, so swimming isn't recommended - if you do go in, stick to shallow water close to shore. Petty theft of unattended motorbikes has been reported at night; park with a local household if camping overnight rather than leaving vehicles unwatched.
Accessibility
Limited facilities nearby; few shops or eating places directly around the lake shore itself
Seasonal
Water levels swing a lot with the season: roughly December-April is the low-water period, when more shoreline is exposed and camping spots are easiest to find; roughly August-October is the flood season, when water levels rise and good camping spots become scarce. Mid-June is often cited as a sweet spot - decent water levels, breezy weather, and still relatively easy to find a good spot. Best camping time in general is evening to morning; avoid midday visits due to extreme heat.

About This Place

What Makes Dầu Tiếng Lake Special

Dầu Tiếng Lake is the largest artificial reservoir in Vietnam by surface area, covering approximately 270 square kilometres (with a total capacity of about 1.58 billion cubic metres) on the border between Tây Ninh and Bình Dương provinces, formed by damming the upper reaches of the Saigon River. Construction began on 29 April 1981 and the reservoir was completed on 10 January 1985, built to provide irrigation water for the agricultural land of the southeastern region - it remains the primary water source for large areas of Tây Ninh, Bình Dương, and neighbouring provinces. The lake's scale - its shoreline extends for hundreds of kilometres through forested terrain - gives it a character more like a natural lake than an infrastructure project. On the Bình Dương shore, right by the lake, sits Núi Cậu, a cluster of 21 hills (the tallest, Núi Cửa Ông, reaching 295m) covering around 1,600 hectares, home to Chùa Thái Sơn - a well-known temple, its grounds spanning more than 5 hectares, built partway up the hillside in 1988 by the monk Thích Đạt Phẩm and renovated in 2003. Notable structures include a 12m-tall Quan Âm Nam Hải statue, the Cửu Trùng tower, the 'dinh Cậu' shrine, and a traditional tam quan gate, drawing a steady stream of pilgrims, trekkers, and sightseers. Local folklore even ties Núi Cậu and the far-off Núi Bà Đen together in a bittersweet love legend, though accounts of the story vary. Elsewhere around the lake, other named stops include Suối Trúc (a quiet, bamboo-lined stream near Núi Cậu, popular for camping and photos), Đảo Nhím ('Hedgehog Island', a small island in the lake off Dương Minh Châu commune reachable by boat, also used for camping), and Bãi Đá Trứng ('Egg Rock Beach'). The surrounding forest, the open water horizon, and the absence of resort development have made Dầu Tiếng a destination for weekend camping, temple visits, and sunrise photography from Ho Chi Minh City.

How to Get There

Getting There

Dầu Tiếng Lake sits near Dầu Tiếng town in Bình Dương province, with sources giving a range of roughly 70-85km from Ho Chi Minh City depending on the exact access point measured (an international compiled source puts the lake itself at 70km, while several Vietnamese travel guides cite 80-85km to the district centre). By motorbike or car from HCMC, follow Highway 13 north through Bình Dương then turn west toward Dầu Tiếng - the journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The dam and main access points are clearly signposted from Dầu Tiếng town. The lake can also be approached from the Tây Ninh side, adding it to a circuit that includes Núi Bà Đen and the Cao Đài Holy See. No public transport runs directly to the lake; motorbike or car is required.

What to Expect

On the Ground

The dam structure provides an elevated walkway above the water with views across the full expanse of the lake - on clear days the far shore is barely visible. The forested banks on the southern side have informal camping areas used by Vietnamese groups on weekends. Fishing boats are active on the water from dawn, and the morning mist that sits over the lake surface before the sun rises is the characteristic image of the site. On the water, SUP rental (a set with board, paddle, pump, and life jacket runs around 200,000-300,000 VND/day) and motorboat rides out to Đảo Nhím (roughly 300,000 VND for 15-20 minutes) are popular; fishing is also a major draw, with more than 50 fish species recorded in the lake. The perimeter roads allow cycling and motorbike exploration of the lakeside terrain. Near the Bình Dương shore, Núi Cậu and its Chùa Thái Sơn temple offer a short climb with views back over the lake and surrounding hills, alongside the temple's own pilgrimage atmosphere. The surrounding forest has bird activity - local restaurants in Dầu Tiếng town serve freshwater fish from the reservoir, and some visitors dive for clams and mussels near the shore to grill themselves.

Travel Tips

Tips

Dầu Tiếng works best as an early morning destination or an overnight camping trip - the lake at sunrise is the experience that draws people, and arriving in the middle of the day gives little sense of what makes it interesting. The scale of the reservoir becomes apparent only from elevated viewpoints or from the water itself - a boat ride gives the most direct sense of the lake's size. Pairing the lake with Chùa Thái Sơn and Núi Cậu on the Bình Dương side adds a cultural and slightly more active dimension to the trip. For HCMC-based travellers looking for natural scenery within 2 hours of the city, Dầu Tiếng offers a genuinely large water body surrounded by forest in a region where both are otherwise scarce.

Insider Tips

Based on real traveler experiences and commonly mentioned advice from multiple visitors.

Camp overnight from evening to morning for the best experience; daytime is very hot
Plan visits during cooler hours and bring supplies as nearby shops are scarce
Visit Chùa Thái Sơn on Núi Cậu for a nearby cultural and sightseeing stop
Sunrise from the lake dam or the forested eastern shore is the signature photography experience - arrive before 5:30AM to set up before the light
Time needed: Typically 1 night or 2 nights for a camping trip; a half-day is enough for a sunrise/photography-only visit
The perimeter road around the lake is long enough for a full cycling day - rent a bicycle in Dầu Tiếng town and follow the dam road and forest tracks
Camping on the lakeside is popular with groups from HCMC - bring all supplies as there are no facilities at the camping spots
There's no lifeguard presence anywhere around the lake - swimming isn't recommended, and if you do go in, stay in shallow water close to shore and never swim alone; the lakebed also has sharp shells in places, so water shoes help
If arriving by motorbike to camp overnight, park at a local household near the lake rather than leaving it unattended - theft has been reported at night in this relatively remote area
Arrive by around 2-3 PM if you want a good camping spot directly on the shore - by 5 PM, only spots further back from the water tend to be left
The dam periodically releases water (mostly Oct-Dec) to manage flow into the Saigon River, with releases announced only 1-2 days ahead and no fixed schedule - check locally before camping close to the shoreline during this window
Phone signal around the lake is weak - register any data package you'll need before you leave home, since it's difficult to do once you're there
Bring cash and ID - card and e-wallet payments aren't generally accepted locally, and some activities may ask to see identification
The lake is roughly 70-85km from HCMC depending on the specific access point and source - easily combined with a Tây Ninh day that includes the Cao Đài Temple in Tây Ninh city and Núi Bà Đen
Chùa Thái Sơn, a well-known temple on Núi Cậu right by the lake's Bình Dương shore, is a popular add-on for anyone interested in a spiritual/cultural stop alongside the lake scenery
Fishing is the main local activity on the lake - early mornings see dozens of fishing boats on the water, which add to the atmosphere for photography

FAQ

Common questions from travelers who've visited this place.

What is the best time to visit?›
Best for camping and photography from evening through early morning. Avoid midday, when temperatures are extreme and shelter options are limited.
Are there facilities and restaurants at the lake?›
Amenities directly at the lakeshore are limited - few shops or eating places nearby, though Dầu Tiếng town has restaurants, including some serving freshwater fish from the reservoir. Bring supplies if camping.
How far is it from Ho Chi Minh City?›
Roughly 70-85km, depending on the exact access point - a manageable day trip or overnight destination at around 1.5-2 hours by motorbike or car.
Is it safe to swim in the lake?›
There's no lifeguard presence anywhere around the lake, so swimming isn't officially recommended. If you do go in, stay in shallow water close to shore, never swim alone, and watch for sharp shells on the lakebed.