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The Enchanted Pine Hill is a tourist attraction in Da Lat that has been immortalized in poetry. However, few know the tale of a sorrowful and unconventional love hidden behind this famous landmark. Over the years, the story has lingered in memory, and on that pine hill, two graves still rest side by side amid the purple hues of the lonely evening.
The Enchanted Pine Hill – a dreamy tourist spot in Da Lat
Similar to Xuan Huong Lake, Lang Biang... 'The Enchanted Pine Hill' is one of the beautiful places in Da Lat that many people are familiar with.
About 6 kilometers north from the city center, travelers will encounter a large lake with a picturesque and sentimental landscape. In ancient times, locals referred to it as the Lake of Sighs. Later, it was renamed to Morning Mist Lake. However, the name Lake of Sighs returns once again, as people have silently become familiar with and engraved the name of that melancholic lake in their hearts.
Calling it the Lake of Sighs is quite fitting. While outside is the bustling city noise, stepping here brings everything into a realm of serene quietness. Amidst the lush greenery adorned with shades of purple flowers, the wind whispers through the pine leaves, resembling the mournful cries of someone. Many mystical tales are still passed down by the locals here, as this place, though beautifully serene, carries a deep sense of melancholy.
The lake lies amidst a vast pine forest, and near the edge, there are two small graves arranged side by side. Surrounding the graves are numerous violet flowers—evoke a sense of melancholy, depicting the iron and silk of a couple's love.
If you ever visit the tourist spots in Da Lat, make sure to stop by here, light a candle on the two graves along the slope, then find a cool shade to rest. Let your soul merge with the wind, listen to the quiet whispers of the pines, gaze at the lake's rippling waves, and hear the water nymphs here recount a love story full of injustice from the bygone days.
The Twin Pine Hill – a love story painted in melancholy hues
Similar to other attractions in Da Lat, 'The Twin Pine Hill' also holds its own tale, a real love story.
The story goes that there was a young man named Vu Minh Tam, originally from Go Cong, Tien Giang, who came to study at a martial arts school in Da Lat. During his time here, he met a girl named Le Thi Thao. Their families were different – Tam came from an extremely wealthy farming family, while Thao was just a girl from a poor family. However, their genuine affection erased all barriers, and they came together, loving each other with sincere devotion. According to the tales of the elders, they often strolled by the Lake of Sighs, rested under the cool shade of the pine hill, and here, they exchanged heartfelt vows and promises.
But life is not a long dream; happiness, short-lived, leaves no trace...
One day, Tâm bid farewell to Thảo to return to his hometown. He pleaded with his parents to welcome her into the family, and the couple vowed to be connected for a hundred years. Little did he know that his family would never allow it. Thảo's family was too poor, unable to match his family's status. His parents used every means to forbid the union, determined not to let them be together. Tâm, in agony, swore that if he couldn't marry Thảo in this lifetime, he would remain unwed. He enlisted in the military to escape the pressure of marriage proposals from his parents, partly to temporarily set aside the memories. Despite being far away on the battlefield, he regularly sent letters to Thảo. It was the main source of motivation that helped her endure each day. But one day, instead of a letter filled with longing, a death notice arrived like thunder striking her ears. Desperate and in pain, Thảo, led by old memories, retraced her steps to fulfill the oath. And at that pine hill, by the Lake of Sighs, Thảo chose to sacrifice herself.
Life is truly full of twists; the death notice was a mistake—Tâm was still alive. He returned to Da Lat to find Thảo, only to discover she had departed forever. Tâm hurried back to the old pine hill, lying down to weep beside his lover's grave, then chose to sacrifice himself to keep their promise. His parents, pained by the love for their child, and the villagers moved by the rare sincerity, buried and built a grave for Tâm next to Thảo for them to be together.
Later, due to their old age and frail health, Tâm's parents couldn't frequently visit the grave. They decided to exhume Tâm's remains, bringing him back to their hometown. Thus, they were separated once again. The villagers, sympathizing with the unfortunate couple, rebuilt the two graves side by side. Their tragic tale, narrated by many, turned this place into a famous tourist spot in Da Lat.
Those who come here often leave with a hint of sadness, quietly departing. Day after day, the sun still sets, casting the pine shadows on the purple flowers in the lonely evening...
