BUON ME THUOT

9 UNBELIEVABLY BEACUTIFUL DESTINATIONS IN BUON ME THUOT

When it comes to Buon Ma Thuot (Buôn Ma Thuột), Vietnam (Việt Nam) people often think of the vast coffee fields. However, not only that, Buon Ma Thuot also attracts tourists by the majestic towering waterfalls, national parks and vast mysterious beauty of the legendary Serepok line. Let’s discover Buon Ma Thuot if you have an intention of traveling to this place in Vietnam.
1.Gia Long, Dray Nur, Dray Sap Waterfalls
The waterfall system: Gia Long – Dray Nur – Dray Sap belongs to Srepok River, Nam Ha (Nam Hà) Commune, K’rong K’No district, Dak Nong (Đắc Nông) province. The waterfall is located about 25km away from Buon Ma Thuot city, following the National Road 14, and about 3km from Buon Kop (Buôn Kốp) hydroelectric. This is a spectacular waterfall that the Mother Nature has bestowed on Dak Lak.
Dray Nur means female waterfall. So, this waterfall also has a common name as Wife waterfall (Thác Vợ). Dray Nur is located next to Dray Sap (also known as Husband Waterfall) and is just a piece of suspension bridge crossing Serepok River. Both are beautiful and majestic waterfalls.
2. Buon Don (Buôn Đôn)
Buon Don is a village on the plateau located in Krong Na commune, Buon Don (Buôn Đôn) District. Formerly, when referring to Buon Don, it means a large area, stretching along Serepok River with mild flowing water all year round. Girls, boys, the old, young people are intoxicated with folk dances in celebrations. Here, hunting and taming forest elephants are very famous.
Visiting Buon Don, you could explore the cultural life, daily life, customs of many people, and discover the architecture of the Khunjunop grave, wild travel with an elephant on Serepok River, visit the National park Yok Don with the reserve area of rare flora and fauna. Also, from Buon Don, tourists could also use a canoe to flow down the Serepok, have visits and excursions at the 7-branch cascade. If you would like to explore the culture, customs in Buon Don, local people will organize a night festive where you can drink the Can wine and enjoy folklore traditions.

3. Lak Lake (Hồ Lắk)
In regard to Dak Lak, it is often mentioned to the myth of Lak Lake – one of the largest natural freshwater lakes, connected to Krong Ana River, is about 500 ha, located at an altitude of over 500 meters above the sea level. This is a unique eco-tourism attraction for both domestic and international tourists, with a romantic natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and forests.
Apart from natural beauty, fresh air and adventures on the back of the elephants, the wooden boats with excursions to explore the cultural and character of M’nong villagers was, is, and will make Lak Lake an indispensable destination in the tours to Dak Lak, in particular, and the Central Highlands, in general.

4. Thanh Tam Cathedral
Located at no.02 Phan Chu Trinh street, Tan Loi (Tân Lợi) Ward, Thanh Tam (Thánh Tâm) Cathedral is the main cathedral of the Diocese of Buon Ma Thuot. With the design like that of Ede long house, and completely made by wooden, the cathedral is also a place worth to visit and take photos due to the “ethnic” architecture style. The cathedral is 45 meters in length and 12 meters in width. The total area is 828 m2, with a capacity of 1,200 seats.
Initially, there are about 45 households living in the area near the cathedral and scattered in plantations. After the migration campaign in 1954 in Vietnam, the number of parishioners increased up to 4,000 and reached 11,000 until now. The economic life of parishioners is diverse with some sectors like traders, farmers, workers, doctors, and engineers…
5. Ea Kao Lake
The lake is about 12km away from the center of Buon Ma Thuot to the southeast, located in Ea Kao commune. The lake was formed by the blocking of the streams like Ea Knin, Ea Kao, Ea Chat, Cu Mblim (Cư Mblim)…for building irrigation works for rice and coffee.
An interesting thing is that, despite the operation of this irrigation work was since 1983, up to now, the space of Ea Kao Lake still has an unspoiled beauty. Beneath the water, there is a varied ecosystem with many species of freshwater fish and shrimp. Around the lake, there are rolling mountains along with rich flora and forests with many ancient trees.
On the early days of June, the water level in Eo Kao Lake was low disclosing the soft red, grassy soil strips, making this place an ideal destination for residents and tourists to go sightseeing and relax.
6. Thuy Tien Waterfall
Also known as Ba Tang (Ba Tầng) waterfall, (three floors), Thuy Tien waterfall is located in Ea Puk commune, Krong Nang commune. This is a beautiful, pristine landscape in the middle of mountains and forests with numerous of boulders stacking on each other and the forest tree roots tightly knit with each other, creating a fancy scene.
The waterfall has three layers of water. The first layer is narrow, with a small slope and easy up and down stairs. The second layer extends with many stone stairs. There are also shallow lakes which are ideal for swimming. The third layer is the water flowing down a broad and deep lake.
In compared with other waterfalls in Dak Lak such as the waterfall system Gia Long, Dray Nur, Dray Sap… Thuy Tien waterfall is lesser known because of the inconvenience of transporting. However, with its beauty, it still attracts a lot of people to visit and contemplate its unspoiled beauty.
7. Ako Dhong Village
Often called as Co Thon (Cô Thôn), Ako Dhong village is located in the north, about 2km far away from the city center of Buon Ma Thuot.
“Ako” in the Ede language means watershed and “Dhong” means valley. Here, the village festivals are held regularly with lyrics, music, traditional dances resounded under the long roof. The colors of the highlands remain forever in Ako Dhong village, attracted many tourists when visiting this basalt land.
8. Chu Yang Sin National Park
Located at the final point of Truong Son (Trường Sơn) Mountains, belonged to Southern Central Highlands, Chu Yang Sin national park has a diverse ecosystem, with uniqueness and high endemism. Being the transition zone between two areas plains and highlands of the southern central region, the terrain of Chu Yang Sin National Park is fragmented and covered by the forest (on an altitude from 600 m to 2442 m)
That is why Chu Yang Sin has extremely spectacular scenery with more than 40 high mountain ranges, with different low and high levels, many slopes, vast forests, streams, rapids and waterfalls intertwined. Chu Yang Sin range runs following the direction of east-west, divided into two areas North – South. It is the highest mountain range with a peak of 2442 meters. Chu Yang Sin has been named as the second roof of the Central Highlands, after the Ngoc Linh (Ngọc Linh) peak in Kon Tum province.
9. Yok Don National Park

Yok Don is one of the largest nature reserves in Vietnam. It is home to many large mammals such as bull, bison, buffalo, elephant, monkey, gibbon, tiger, leopard, pheasant, peacock, eagle…
In addition, Yok Don National Park preserves many unique cultural values of ethnic groups in Central Highlands, such as Ede, M’nong…
When visiting the national park, tourists will be able to enjoy some kinds of ecotourism such as elephant riding, walking, hiking, and mountain biking in the primeval forests. Especially, at night, tourists could go to see wild animals. During the day, they could take a canoe to go down the romantic Serepok River, visit villages of the indigenous people in Central Highlands, drinking Can (Cần) Wine, and enjoy the sound of legendary orchestra of gongs.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO BUON ME THUOT

Buon Ma Thuot may not be as well known as other places in Vietnam such as Hanoi, but it is worth seeing. It is the provincial capital of Dak Lak (or Dac Lac) Province and approximately 360 kilometers from Saigon, deep in the Central Highlands of the country. Despite being one of the biggest towns in the Central Highlands, Buon Ma Thuot is only visited by a few tourists because it is off the beaten track. However, this town can serve as a starting point for those who want to see the attractions in the area.
Buon Ma Thuot is a small but busy place. With a population of about 300,000, it is home to ethnic minorities like the Jarai and Rhade peoples. The place is historically relevant because it was the site of the last major confrontation between the North Vietnamese and South Vietnamese armies back in March 1975. These days, however, Buon Ma Thuot is better known for its coffee.

• Buon Ma Thuot Attractions

Buon Ma Thuot does not have attractions on offer. What it does offer, however, is easy access to the attractions in its immediate area. This is the reason why Buon Ma Thuot is considered a good base for excursions and outdoor trips.
In the immediate area of Buon Ma Thuot, beautiful waterfalls are one of the best attractions. Gia Long and Dray Nur are impressive but if you have to visit just one waterfall, it should be Dray Sap, which can be found in a stunning rainforest.
Another must-visit attraction is the Yok Don National Park which is considered the largest nature reserve in Vietnam and here visitors can find rare animals and birds, as well as endangered species. However, ethnic tribes such as the Ede and M’nong live here as well and they are known to domesticate wild elephants.
Other attractions accessible through Buon Ma Thuot are the Ban Don Village and the Lak Lake. The former is a village notable for its tribal architecture, while the latter provides an idyllic scene where one can witness the slow pace of rural living. On the shore of the lake is June Village, where people live in thatched-roof houses on stilts.

• Buon Ma Thuot Restaurants/ Dining Scene

Finding a good place to eat in Buon Ma Thuot may be a challenge, but the quest will prove to be rewarding to those who try.
Ninh Hoa is a Vietnamese dish of meat and vegetables wrapped in rice paper and soaked in peanut sauce. It is served in some restaurants found in Ly Thuong Kiet, close to the inexpensive hotels. There are many places that serve noodles, but the best ones can be found in Quan Com Tieu Linh in Hung Vuong.
Western food is quite scarce, but Bon Trieu is worth a try. Found on Hai Ba Trung beside Dam San Tourist, the establishment has an English-language menu with some dishes made with a Western twist. Those looking for a gastronomic adventure can go to Thanh Hung on Nguyen Dinh Chieu, where the meals are exotic. Meanwhile, locals recommend the Damsan Hotel’s restaurant for delicious Vietnamese fare at reasonable prices.
The thing that makes up for the lack of dining options in Buon Ma Thuot is the coffee. The town’s coffee is smooth and rich, with a hint of chocolate. The locals drink it either extra strong or extra sweet, with condensed milk and ice.

• Buon Ma Thuot Nightlife

Buon Ma Thuot is not a destination for the ultimate in nightlife. Visitors should not expect clubs, pubs and bars in a provincial town tucked in the Central Highlands. There are no disco lights, pulsing beats or live music to be found here.
Buon Ma Thuot is very much a rural area and is not as lively at night. However, there are some places which can be considered as night time destinations, even though they do not fit in the typical night life scene.
The Forget Me Not Cafe may be quiet during the day, but at night it comes alive. This is due to the karaoke sessions held every night from 19:00 to 22:00. Those who want to end their day with a drink can check out the beer joints in Buon Ma Thuot, most of which are found in the intersection of Mac Thi Buoi and Phan Boi Chau Streets. Bach Dang on Quang Trung Street also serves cheap bia hoi on tap.

• Buon Ma Thuot Shopping

In this town, shopping options are very limited and tourists who expect to find a wide selection of merchandise will be disappointed. Because coffee is Buon Ma Thuot’s best-known product, it is also the main commodity. Coffee is sold everywhere in town and you can buy whole coffee beans, ground coffee, even the ready-to-drink variety. The best place to buy coffee beans is at the intersection of Hoang Dieu and Phan Chu Trinh Streets. Trung Nguyen is considered as the ‘Coca-Cola’ of Vietnamese coffee and is sold in many places, but its main store is on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street.
Those who want to give souvenirs to friends can purchase small replicas of M’nong-style jugs. These jugs are used by the hill tribes to store whiskey and are cool souvenirs, but they can be difficult to carry and transport. The jug replicas are sold in the souvenir shops of Buon Ma Thuot.

• Buon Ma Thuot Activities

What are the best things to do when in Buon Ma Thuot? There are several activities that can keep a visitor preoccupied in this town. However, at the top of the list is elephant riding. In Ban Don Village, there are guides who can take a visitor into the Yok Don National Park and across the Serepok River by riding an elephant. Visitors will find that the huge creatures are actually quite gentle, and that the elephants love playing in the water. The M’nong people, who live in the park, are the ones who take care of the elephants.
Visitors can also head on over to the Dak Lak Province Museum and check out the Ethnographic Exhibit where you can learn a lot about the history, culture, customs and traditions of hill tribes in Buon Ma Thuot.
However, if visitors want to cool down after a long day, they can go and enjoy the Dak Lak Waterpar

WEATHER IN BUÔN ME THUỘT YOU SHOULD KNOW

1. January

The weather in Buon Me Thuot in January is very cold when temperatures can drop to 7 degrees and not exceed 8 degrees on average. Additionally, in Buon Me Thuot during January, No rain, so very warm clothes and gloves are strongly recommended.

2. February

The weather in Buon Me Thuot in February is very cold when temperatures can drop to 15 degrees and not exceed 6 degrees on average. Additionally, in Buon Me Thuot during February so very warm clothes and gloves are strongly recommended.

3. March

The weather in Buon Me Thuot in March is very cold when temperatures can drop to 6 degrees and not exceed 6 degrees on average. Additionally, in Buon Me Thuot during March there are 0 days of rain, so very warm clothes and gloves are strongly recommended

4. April

The weather in Buon Me Thuot in April is relatively comfortable for a trip in terms of degrees 9-16*C, but it might be rainy (around 13 rainfall days) so it is important to prepare yourself with an umbrella and raincoat.

5. May

The weather in Buon Me Thuot in May is quite cold while degrees are between 7-11*C, in addition it might be rainy so it is important to prepare yourself with warm cloth and umbrella

6. June

The weather in Buon Me Thuot in June is relatively comfortable for a trip in terms of degrees 19-21*C but it might be rainy  so it is important to prepare yourself with an umbrella and raincoat.

7. July

The weather in Buon Me Thuot in July is relatively warm in terms of temperature, since there are 19-24 degrees on average. However, It will rain a lot on this month, so it is highly recommended to pack an umbrella.

8. August

The weather in Buon Me Thuot in August is cold, when degrees are between 18 and 22 and there are 23 days of rain and 1 days of snow in average. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to Buon Me Thuot in August, warm clothes and gloves are highly recommended.

9. September

The weather in Buon Me Thuot in September is relatively comfortable for a trip in terms of degrees  around 13- 15*C, but it might be rainy so it is important to prepare yourself with an umbrella and raincoat.

• October

The weather in Buon Me Thuot in October is relatively warm in terms of temperature, since there are 18-21 degrees on average. However, It will rain alot of this month, so it is highly recommended to pack an umbrella.

• November

The weather in Buon Me Thuot in November is variable, ranging from pleasant days to cool nights. Temperatures are between 14 and 23 degrees, which is great for travelling. However, there is a reasonable chance of rain, with 6 rainy days on average, so it is recommended to take an umbrella.

• December

The weather in Buon Me Thuot in December is excellent for travelling, while temperatures are comfortable and range from 15 to 23*C and there are not many days of rain,

Yearly Average for Buon Me Thuot

 

 

FOOD & DRINK

Although it is somewhat out-of-the-way, Buon Ma Thuot is more than worth visiting. It is famous for its smooth and rich coffee. There are so many nice café hidden away on side streets throughout the northern part of the city – just wander around and see what you can find. Try to drink like a local – order a either extra strong or extra sweet coffee, with condensed milk and ice.
There are limited dining options in Buon Ma Thuot, but you can find few places offering some excellent Vietnamese dishes. Try those found in Ly Thuong Kiet, close to the inexpensive hotels; Quan Com Tieu Linh in Hung Vuong and Thanh Hung on Nguyen Dinh Chieu. If you would like to get some Western food, Bon Trieu is worth a try. There are number of beer bars around Buon Ma Thuot, most can be found in the central area.