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Inland harbour: Ha Noi residents treat Dai Lai Lake as a popular weekend getaway, like Tam Dao Mountain resort nearby.
Chess anyone: Children scream with delight when they see the giant chessboard.
Sheltering wings: Bamboo Wings Restaurant poises over the water.The venue has won architectural awards for its design. — VNS Photo
by Minh Thu
A day at the Flamingo Dai Lai Resort provides a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Visitors can enjoy sunny tropical beaches and lush green forests.
The 525ha Dai Lai Lake and its beautiful natural environs are located on the outskirts of the capital, 50km from the city centre and an easy 10km from Noi Bai International Airport.
Set in a mountainous region next to Dai Lai Lake, the Flamingo Dai Lai Resort is surrounded by water and natural forests. It possesses natural beauty and diverse terrain, including lakes, streams, peninsulas, hills, valleys, and mountains large enough to accommodate hordes of tourists during the holidays.
The resort is a complex of eco-tourism sites, with luxury pinewood cabins scattered across the countryside. They provide a comfortable life- style with abundant support services and first-class infrastructure.
When our coach arrived at the site, the children immediately burst out onto a stadium-sized grass field and screamed excitedly at the Wonder Park with its giant chessboard and other amusements.
We were taken to the Bamboo Wings Restaurant, an extraordinary feat of architecture created from huge bamboo bows by architect Vo Trong Nghia. Local and traditional features created an escape from chaotic urban life.
The building, as the name suggests, resembles a bird's wing, and is made entirely of bamboo to promote the use of environmentally friendly materials. It has won five International Architecture awards.
Bamboo Wings is surrounded by ponds which create a spectacular sight when they are lit up at night. We all loved the food, but during summer, diners should eat inside to get away from the midday sun.
Only green vehicles such as bicycles and electric cars are used at the resort. That helped us to enjoy fresh air while riding along endless flower fields and walking in the pine forests.
The weather is a little bit strange. A dip in the lake is the perfect way to cool off in the hot mornings and afternoons, but once you enter the tranquil pine forest, the temperature suddenly drops.
We were impressed by the carefully manicured pebble banks of the lake, where we enjoyed sunbathing and swimming as if we were on a tropical island. The resort has more than a private beach. It provides water sports such as fishing, surfing, kayaking and luxury cruises.
Through pine forests and colourful flowers, the southern peninsula opens up to an endless blue sky and lake at the foot of Tam Dao Mountain.
Rowing boats, sail boats and a luxurious liner imported from the US allow visitors to explore the lake and its islands.
"The spectacular landscape and service quality at Flamingo Dai Lai exceed international levels," according to George Kunihiro, chairman of the Asian Architects Association.
The resort is being turned into a regional and international tourist area, with golf courses, villas and shopping centres.
Tourists can take a walk around the resort and lose themselves in the flower garden or relax on wooden benches in the park, enjoying the natural environment. Together with family and friends, you can finish the day by enjoying delicious food in the culinary art park on the banks of the lake. — VNS
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