Once upon a time, when the highlands were still wild and untouched, there lived a young maiden named Măng in a small village at the foot of Mount Langbiang. She was as beautiful as the first crescent moon and had a sweet voice that even the birds and streams stopped to listen to.
In that same village lived a young man named Lin — strong, brave, and skillful in hunting. Every afternoon, he would climb the high hill where Măng sang among the pine trees. Their love blossomed from those melodies carried by the mountain breeze.
However, an ancient rule of their clans forbade men and women of different tribes from marrying. Though they loved each other deeply, they were forbidden to be together.
One bright moonlit night, Măng and Lin decided to leave their village, holding hands as they walked deep into the forest. They vowed: “If we cannot live together, we shall become one with the forest — to be together forever among the mountains.”
Suddenly, thunder roared and lightning split the sky. When the villagers searched for them the next morning, they found that a vast pine forest had grown where the lovers had disappeared. The whispering pines sang softly — echoing like their voices calling to one another.
Since then, people have called this land Măng Lin, to honor the faithful love of Măng and Lin. The elders say that on misty mornings, if you listen closely, you can still hear their whispers in the wind — an eternal love song of the Da Lat highlands.
