Dak Nong Travel Guide 2023 from A-Z: Moving, eating, visiting, specialties… latest

Dak Nong has rich, harmonious natural beauty with waterfalls mixed with mountains, valleys and primeval forests.

Dak Nong is located at the southwest gateway of the Central Highlands on the M’Nong plateau, connected to Cambodia through two border gates Dak Peur (Dak Mil district) and Bup’rang (Tuy Duc district). Dak Nong borders Dak Lak to the east and north, Lam Dong to the south and Binh Phuoc and Cambodia to the west.Dak Nong is most beautiful in the spring, from around January because the rainy season has passed, the sky is clear and cool, the waterfall has many waterfalls. From March to early April is the blooming season of coffee flowers, May-June is the season of cassava flowers. Summer in Dak Nong often rains, but it stops quickly.

Ta Dung Lake – “Ha Long Bay in the Central Highlands” of Dak Nong. Photo: Ghost Coc Tu

Move

The center of Dak Nong province is Gia Nghia city, about 125 km from Buon Ma Thuot city (Dak Lak), about 250 km from Ho Chi Minh City. To move to Dak Nong, you can choose means of transport such as car, bus, motorbike or plane depending on the starting point.Bus tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Dak Nong, departing from the Eastern bus station of bus companies such as Dai Nghia, Duyen Ha, Hoang Long, range in price from 150,000 – 200,000 VND per person. The bus departs from Hanoi with a ticket price of 800,000 VND (including two meals). Driving time is about 6 hours from Ho Chi Minh City and about 30 hours from Hanoi.Dak Nong does not have an airport, so if you want to travel by air, you can choose Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air or Bamboo Airways to the nearest airport, Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak), ticket prices range from 2 to 3.5 million dong. Transfer by bus from Buon Ma Thuot to Gia Nghia for 200,000 VND.If you want to take the initiative in your time and have the freedom to stop and rest, you can take a personal car or motorbike from Ho Chi Minh City towards Highway 14. The road is beautiful so you don’t need to worry, but before departing, check and maintain it. Drive carefully and comply with traffic safety regulations.

Accommodation

There are many accommodation options. Robin Hotel, Ngoc Thuong, Dak Nong Lodge, Sunrise Hotel are highly rated establishments on booking websites. Prices range from 300,000 to nearly 1.5 million VND per night.Some famous homestays and farmstays in Gia Nghia include Yumin Farm house, Hoa Dat Garden, Ngo Gia Trang; In Dak R’Lap district, there is Molly Home; In Dak Mil, there is Montagnards Home Farm, priced from 150,000 to 1 million VND per night.

If you go in a large group, you can stay in Ta Dung tourist area or Phuong Van Farm to feel one with nature. The landscape of Ta Dung lake is considered “Ha Long Bay of the Central Highlands” while Phuong Van farm in Gia Nghia city is a destination considered “forest in the city” with green space of forests and coffee gardens mixed together. vegetable gardens and fruit trees.

Where to play?

From Gia Nghia city center, within a radius of about 50 km, Dak Nong has many places to explore. There are some beautiful natural landscapes quite far from the city, so you should divide the tour into about 3 days and 2 nights, or longer.Ta Dung National Park

Ta Dung Lake viewed from above. Photo: Dak Nong tourism information portal

Ta Dung National Park is located in Dak Som commune, about 45 km southeast of Gia Nghia city along Highway 28. The center of the Park is Ta Dung lake. Hydroelectric dam blocking activities have created an elevated lake with an area of about 22,000 hectares with more than 40 large and small islands and peninsulas. This is a destination not to be missed in Dak Nong.Coming to Ta Dung, you will be able to take a boat, enjoy the landscape of islands appearing in the middle of the lake, breathe fresh air, explore the mountains and forests, and wild nature. In addition, this place also has granite waterfalls and dozens of rare flora and fauna species.

Granite waterfall. Photo: Dak Nong tourism information portal

Volcanic cave Discovered in 2017 with more than 50 caves, with a total length of nearly 10,000 m, this is one of the longest volcanic cave systems in Southeast Asia belonging to the UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark. According to researchers, the volcanic cave system was formed more than 140 million years ago. Over time, up to now, the volcanic cave system still retains traces and rare archaeological relics of the residence of prehistoric people about 6,000 – 7,000 years ago.Nam Kar volcanic range

Nam Kar volcanic range. Photo: Dak Nong UNESCO Geopark

Nam Kar volcanic range is formed from 3 volcanoes including one main cinder cone and two secondary cinder cones. The main cinder cone is 60 m high, 220 m in diameter, the mouth is about 20 m deep from the top of the mountain, and has a typical oval shape. The mountain is 660 m above sea level and is composed mainly of slag, each slag pellet is several centimeters in diameter.The M’Nong people here still circulate mysterious stories about the formation of Nam Kar volcano, with the meaning of educating and reminding children and grandchildren not to harm natural resources.Border green roadWith a border stretching more than 140 km, Dak Nong connects with Cambodia through two border gates Dak Peur (Dak Mil district) and Bup’rang (Tuy Duc district). On the journey to explore this road, you will experience winding terrain, with pine forests on both sides.The road is suitable for you to take caravan trips or camping trips to explore the ecosystem and local community culture. Along the way, there are many waterfalls, sometimes majestic, sometimes flowing gently, interspersed with exposed rock populations. On the road there are many border markers between Vietnam and Cambodia.Truc Lam Dao Nguyen Zen Monastery
Truc Lam Dao Nguyen Zen Monastery is located in the middle of a pine forest. Photo: Nguyen Nam

About 40 km from Gia Nghia city center, Truc Lam Dao Nguyen Zen Monastery is the largest Truc Lam sect Buddhist facility in Dak Nong. The Zen monastery is adjacent to Nam Nung Nature Reserve, the air is always cool and fresh, creating peace and tranquility.The monastery is imbued with traditional cultural beauty, the space is divided into successive functional areas such as the main hall, monks hall, bell tower, drum tower, Quan The Am shrine, main hall, guest house and public works. other auxiliary programs. Here there is also a Dhammapada garden recording the words Buddha Shakyamuni said while still alive, carved on stone.Audio exhibition hallThe sound exhibition house located in Dak Nur hill, Gia Nghia city is considered a miniature picture, showing the sound colors associated with the UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark.Coming here, you will experience unique sounds from different materials. Visitors will hear the familiar sounds of the stone organ, sounds from breath, water, trees, fire, wind… and sounds from ourselves. This is considered the only audio exhibition house in Vietnam today.Phap Hoa Pagoda
Phap Hoa Pagoda. Photo: Nguyen Nam

Built in 1957, this is a large and oldest temple in Dak Nong. You will be able to visit the following areas: 5-storey main hall, monks’ hall, Guan Yin station, three-entrance gate, Lumbini garden. In the temple grounds, there are also many Buddha statues, miniature landscapes, and green trees arranged harmoniously.Phap Hoa Pagoda is not only a place of spiritual activities for the people of the mountain town of Dak Nong but also a destination that attracts tourists inside and outside the province. Located in the center of Gia Nghia city, the temple space is very peaceful.The waterfallsLieng Nung Waterfall is located in Dak Nia commune, about 9 km from Gia Nghia in the direction of Highway 28. The waterfall has a special structure, a 35 m high cliff on a large cave dome jutting out where the water flows into the Dak Nia stream. The ceiling of the cave is made of hexagonal stone blocks arranged next to each other. The cave dome has lively vegetation, creating a magical space. Surrounding the waterfall is a wild natural landscape with primeval forests.

Trinh Nu Waterfall is about 3km from Ea T’Ling town, Cu Jut district, not as noisy and majestic as other waterfalls around the Serepok river basin. The waterfall nestles, flows gently, weaving between large basalt rocks with a geological age of 2-5 million years.Dak G’lun Waterfall is located in Quang Tam commune, Tuy Duc district, about 50 km from Gia Nghia city. The waterfall is nearly 60 m high, surrounded by more than 1,000 hectares of special-use forest with a rich ecosystem, many ancient trees with wide green canopy. Right next to the waterfall there are large, flat grounds for you to camp overnight.

Dray Sap tourist areaDray Sap – Gia Long cultural eco-tourism area (Dray Sap tourist area) is located in Dak Sor commune, Krong No district, about 110 km from Gia Nghia city.The characteristic of this tourist area is that it is located in a special-use forest area with many famous rapids (Dray Sap waterfall, Gia Long waterfall, also known as upper Draysap waterfall, Trinh Nu waterfall, Dray Nu waterfall). Accommodation services are diverse, from Ede longhouses to duplex houses, especially mushroom house systems with straw roofs, creating a close and cozy feeling.You can visit the zoo with many species: deer, chamois, ostrich, bear, tiger, snake, lion. In addition, guests can experience camping services, cycling in the forest, boating or visiting special-use forests.Exhibition of traditional musical instrumentsLocated in N’Jrieng village, Dak Nia commune, more than 9 km from Gia Nghia city center along Highway 28 towards Da Lat, Lam Dong.Coming here, you will discover about 60 types of musical instruments from ethnic groups around the world. Each instrument has its own sound and most are crafted from some type of stone and animal bone. Among the nearly 60 ancient musical instruments is the Dak Kar stone instrument of the M’Nong people dating back nearly 3,000 years. This is the “soul” musical instrument of the exhibitor.According to the concept of the M’Nong people, the stone instrument is a thread connecting people and the spiritual world associated with the cultural and spiritual life of indigenous ethnic people in Dak Nong province. The Dak Kar Stone Platform was also chosen as one of the symbols of the UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark.Ancient trade of the Ede peopleAbout 90 km from Gia Nghia city in the direction of Dak Lak, Buor village in Tam Thang commune, Cu Jut district has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as the oldest village of the Ede people in the Central Highlands in 1999. 2008.Buon Buor is located on the Serepok river. Over the centuries, people have still maintained long-standing customs such as brewing can wine, making traditional musical instruments, weaving daily household items from bamboo and weaving brocade. You will admire the beauty of traditional stilt houses; Meticulous hand-woven brocade products represent the culture of the Ede people; join in with the gong dance. You can also participate in ancient rituals such as the new house worshiping ceremony, Kpan procession, new rice celebration, and brotherhood.

Dak Song wind power
Dak Song wind power. Photo: Thuy Linh

Along Highway 14, about 40 km from Gia Nghia city, you will come to Dak Song district, move to Dak Hoa commune or Nam Binh commune to see giant wind power projects.The project has a total investment capital of nearly 1,700 billion VND and is the 6th wind power project to be constructed in Dak Nong province. Asia Dak Song 1 wind power plant has a capacity of 50MW, with 13 turbines.Dak Song district is considered the wind power “capital” of Dak Nong province with 6 projects that have been granted investment policies and implemented construction. The total capacity of these projects is 430MW.Nhan Co ChurchNhan Co Church is in Nhan Co commune, Dak R’Lap district, Dak Nong province.

This is a beautiful church with unique architecture that you can see from afar when passing Highway 14.Nhan Co Parish was established in May 2004, initially only as a temporary church. In March 2014, construction on the new church began as it looks today.Nhan Co Church is located on a low hill, has Gothic architecture with a striking dark blue color. From a distance, Nhan Co Church looks like a mysterious castle. Stepping inside, the cathedral becomes even more charming and magical thanks to its beautiful symmetrical architectural lines and decorative details.Dak R’Mang market

Coming to Dak Nong, in addition to experiencing the cultural values of indigenous peoples, you will immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Mong people’s markets on the M’Nong plateau in Dak R’Mang commune, Dak G’Long district. The market is open every Sunday, selling all kinds of goods, from brocade, household items, medicinal herbs, production tools to specialty dishes such as thang co, corn wine.

Hill 722 – Dak Sak

Hill 722 – Dak Sak historical relic is 722m high above sea level, nearly 4 hectares wide, located in village 4, Tho Hoang, Dak Sak commune, Dak Mil district. This place marks historical milestones in the resistance war against America of the people of Dak Nong province with many fierce battles. Currently, a number of relics, military equipment, and military equipment such as shoes, hats, bullet casings… are still kept and preserved at Hill 722 relic site. On October 24, 2012, Hill 722 relic – Dak Sak is recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national historical site.If you have time, you should visit Yok Don National Park . Part of the garden is located in Dak Nong province, south of the Serepok River, but the main gate is in Buon Don, Dak Lak province. Visitors can experience trekking and admire the natural beauty, especially the majestic Bay Branch waterfall and rich flora and fauna ecosystem. Entrance ticket: 40,000 VND per adult and 20,000 VND per child.

Eat and drink

Traditional dishes of indigenous people are very diverse, always combining a variety of ingredients, demonstrating community solidarity. The main ingredients include bep leaves, rattan buds, bitter eggplant, bamboo shoots, stream fish, and wild animal meat.Most dishes are prepared by boiling or grilling or cooking in soup, with bitter, spicy flavors and harmonious natural colors.Lam rice, grilled meatLam rice is a favorite dish and is always present in festivals and fun events of local people. The main ingredient of lam rice dish is sticky rice. After soaking, the rice is put into bamboo tubes, and spring water is used to cook. The bamboo tubes containing sticky rice are burned on fire or buried in charcoal. When the rice is cooked, people cut off the burnt outer layer, revealing the white intestine.

Accompanying lam rice is grilled meat, also from cattle and poultry, but often prepared in a very unique way. Most of the ingredients are not marinated and are grilled on charcoal or put into bamboo tubes and grilled. This method of preparation takes little time and is convenient for going to the forest or fields… When eating, people often dip it with salt and chili.Grilled lentils from Serepok riverThe Serepok River flowing through Krong No district and Cu Jut district of Dak Nong has many types of lentil fish, the most popular being the red-tailed lentil fish.Catfish can be made into many dishes such as grilled, braised, fried, steamed, stir-fried with garlic or cooked in porridge. Among them, grilled fish with charcoal is an attractive dish. The fish is wrapped in wild leaves and then grilled, dipped in salt made from lemongrass, green chili and wild leaves. Grilled lentils eaten with bamboo-tube rice brings the rich and characteristic flavor of Dak Nong cuisine.

This is one of the Top 100 Vietnamese specialties 2020 and 2021.Cloud bud soupThut soup is a long-standing dish of the M’Nong people and other ethnic groups in Dak Nong province. According to indigenous people, the name “canh thut” appeared from the fact that in the past, people working in the fields often cooked soup in bamboo tubes growing in the forest. When cooking, people use chopsticks to stir the ingredients until soft.The dish is a combination of wild vegetables such as bep leaves (also known as tweezer leaves), rattan buds, bitter eggplants with stream fish to create a rustic but attractive soup. In addition to the above ingredients, soup can also be combined with tripe, pork ribs, and canned fish to create more flavor diversity.

Specialty

Dak Nong is famous for gifts that are specialties of the Central Highlands mountains and forests.CoffeeFertile basalt soil, suitable terrain, climate and rainfall make Dak Nong one of the key regions for growing and processing coffee, creating high quality coffee beans with a different flavor compared to other regions. Other lands, famous for Robusta, Arabica, Culi coffee…Dak N’rung pepper

Pepper in Dak Nong. Photo: Dak Nong tourism information portal

Dak N’rung pepper is also a famous Dak Nong specialty. Pepper here is highly appreciated for its quality with the common characteristics of large, round, plump and fragrant seeds. Black pepper is packaged in a very convenient way to transport, so many people choose to buy it as a gift.Macadamia nutsDak Nong’s terrain and soil are suitable for growing macadamia trees. This is a plant with a high source of nutrients. Macadamia nuts are cultivated by people using traditional methods, without using chemicals and without overusing inorganic fertilizers. Therefore, the macadamia nuts here are completely natural, safe, and ensure the health of users. Macadamia nuts are known as the queen of nuts not only because of their outstanding nutritional content but also their delicious and captivating taste.Dak Mil butter waxDak Mil avocado has a thin and smooth skin. When ripe, the avocado flesh is yellow-green and has no fiber. The suitable soil and climate, along with the caring hands of the people here, have created delicious, supple avocados that are rarely found anywhere else.Buon Choah RiceRice is grown in Buon Choáh commune, Krong No district – the largest rice granary of Dak Nong province. This land was formed on volcanic soil, with a favorable climate and irrigation water with high mineral content, contributing to the reputation of Buon Choáh rice with its unique flavor.DurianDurian is also one of Dak Nong’s famous agricultural products that you can use as a gift. Delicious durian is grown mainly on red basalt soil in Dak Mil, so it has a sweet taste and special aroma. In Dak Mil, there are many durian farms and fruit orchards that welcome visitors.

($1=24,000 VND)
Photo,Video: Internet (Vinlove.net)