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Impression Of 6 Days In Pleiku Kon Tum Buon Ma Thuot By Helen

Hello, my name is Helen. I had the chance to spend 6 days in Pleiku Kon Tum Buon Ma Thuot in the heart of the Central Highlands. This trip to the Central Highlands of Vietnam organized with Autour Asia, Vietnam travel agency, deeply impressed me with the raw beauty of the landscapes, the pure mountain air, and the sincerity of the inhabitants’ welcome. Between peaceful lakes, coffee plantations, ethnic villages and pagodas nestled in the greenery, each stage of this circuit was an authentic immersion far from the beaten tracks. If you dream of a different experience, mixing nature, culture and human encounters, I share here my impressions and practical advice to explore this still preserved region of Vietnam.

1. Day 1: First day in Pleiku – Serenity and local atmosphere

The next day, I woke up refreshed and raring to go to my hotel in downtown Pleiku, full of enthusiasm at the prospect of exploring this Central Highlands town. It was early morning, and the air was brisk and smelled of a trace of coffee, the city was awakening.

Regarding the first day of my 6 days in Pleiku Kon Tum Buon Ma Thuot, I decided to go to Minh Thành Pagoda. This place is a unique architectural and spiritual embodiment. The majestic gate, the monumental statues, the finely decorated frescoes and the soothing atmosphere guaranteed a moment of calm and deep reflection. It was a perfect opportunity to feel that I was truly in the Highlands.

In the late afternoon, I arrived at Pleiku’s vast Đại Đoàn Kết Square, the city’s center of gravity. With administrative buildings around it and the statue of President Hồ Chí Minh on top, this is not just a historical square. It's a meeting place for the people. I strolled there quietly, observing the families and the young people who came to enjoy the fresh evening air.

When night fell, I headed to Pleiku Night Market. There it was a completely different atmosphere: lively, colorful, delicious. The stalls spilled over with tropical fruits, handmade crafts and local specialties. I sampled the renowned pho kho Gia Lai, an atypical dish in which the noodles and broth were separated, adorned with crunchy vegetables and aromatic meat. Amid the jubilant realism of the residents, it was the perfect antithesis to the serenity that had met me at the pagoda that morning – and a true taste of every day local life in Pleiku.

2. Day 2: Nature and silence – T’Nưng Lake and Biển Hồ tea hills

The next morning I rambled around to see the town. A short drive from the center, I found T’Nưng Lake, also known as “the eyes of Pleiku”. On my first reaching this spot I was completely taken aback: there was spread out before me an immense body of water, which in its reflection, like a boundless looking-glass, took in the blue sky on every side. The green hills rose like a rampart of sorts and a sense of glory and calm as well flowed from it. I strolled quietly on the shore and I was lulled by the touching breeze and the distant shout of birds. The air is insanely clean, almost refreshing, and I got the sense that I was in a place untouched by time, very far away from any bustling. This trip to the Central Highlands in Vietnam was a calling, believe me !

Walking on, I met the Biển Hồ tea hills, another of Pleiku’s natural beauty. There, the show was just as spectacular: endless lines of tea bushes stretched away to the horizon, like a green carpet gently undulating under the hazy light of the early morning. I saw the tea pickers at work from a small kiosk, they had the most precise and harmonious movements. It was relaxing and I was feeling more at peace after the chaos of the market the day before. It was a splendid way to spend our day refreshing our system amidst nature and definitely on any Pleiku Kon Tum Buon Ma Thuot itinerary.

3. Day 3: Discovery of the center of Kon Tum

The next day after my good night of sleep in Pleiku was worth it, so I got up early to take the direction of Kon Tum. There are about 50 km between the two cities, so I drove for just over an hour through the hilly and green landscapes of the central highlands. This contrast of the environments is what makes 6 days in Pleiku to Kon Tum Buon Ma Thuot such a delight.

Then, I took the direction of Kon Tum in the morning, where I immediately went to my hotel, where I left my things and rested for a long half-hour. After this short respite I set out to visit the wooden cathedral of Kon Tum, which was sold to me as the pride of the city. The moment I stepped in from the gate, the great style of the architecture, a mixture of the European Gothic and the traditional crafts of the ethnic groups mentioned above, seemed to conquer me from the bottom of my heart. The walls were all of dark, brown wood, deeply carved, and carried a look of both warmth and solemnity.

In the afternoon, I continued my journey to the cultural village of Kon Pring, nestled on the bank of the peaceful Đăk Bla river. I discovered there the large nha rong, the traditional stilt houses and the local crafts. When the sun set, the sky was tinged with golden and pinkish shades, illuminating the thatched roofs. The authentic and serene atmosphere of this place gave me the impression of living a suspended moment — exactly what one seeks in a discovery of Pleiku Kon Tum Buon Ma Thuot in 6 days, where each stage reveals a new facet of the Highlands. After this charming visit, I returned to the hotel to rest and enjoy a quiet evening in Kon Tum.

4. Day 4: Excursion to Măng Đen

After the bustle of the previous day, I was looking for nature and freshness. So, after spending 6 days in Pleiku Kon Tum Buon Ma Thuot, I ended up driving to Măng Đen, a small highland station right in the mountains and is also known as “Da Lat of the Central Highlands”. I was greeted by the cooler air which greeted me, smelling the resin of the pine from the woods. The first such stop was at Pa Sỹ waterfall where the water cascaded in silvery curtains amid lush greenery. The waterfalls mingled with the songs of birds, leaving no doubt as to the ability of the sounds and noises of nature to infiltrate the space, so that it seems that I am alone with its creations. A place both powerful and soothing.

So, while walking, I landed at Đăk Ke lake, peacefully extended at the foot of these green hills. The clouds and the pines reflected on the shimmering surface of the water, offering a breathtaking cartographic landscape. It took place on a large rock, only to rest and reflect. This moment of absolute serenity contrasted with the liveliness of the previous days, and allowed me to fully feel the richness of the Central Highlands: spiritual in Pleiku, friendly in Kon Tum, and deeply natural in Măng Đen.

5. Day 5: Buon Ma Thuot – Coffee and Buôn Đôn

In the morning, I headed to the World Coffee Museum, a place both modern and surprising. I was dazzled by the architecture, inspired by the longhouses of the Êđê people, through its majestic curved lines. Inside, the atmosphere was wrapped in the intoxicating smell of coffee. I learned even more about coffee thanks to the collections that presented the tools used by traditional baristas and modern machines, and I was ready to go at the opening of the exhibition. This 6-day journey to the Central Highlands of Vietnam could not have started better: after visiting the history of coffee around the world, I ordered a cup of coffee in the museum’s corner and savored my culinary adventure – pleasant for my taste buds and opening the mind for the day to come.

In the afternoon, I took the road to Buôn Đôn, an area renowned for elephant culture and fantastic landscapes. Excitement and calm could be felt by crossing the suspension bridge of the Sêrêpôk River. A fresh wind blew onto my face while I contemplated the moving water. Teenagers and elderly people revealed to me their experience of elephant hunting and taming in the village. It is also a destination that I explored in 6 days in Pleiku Kon Tum Buon Ma Thuot and that I will always cherish. It represents for me the eternal link between wild nature and the heritage of the land.

At the end of the day, after all these discoveries, I returned to my hotel in Buon Ma Thuot. Tired but happy, I allowed myself a quiet evening to regain strength, ready to fully enjoy my last day in the Central Highlands.

6. Day 6: Majestic Waterfalls and Buon Ma Thuot Market

After a restful sleep, I woke up full of energy for my last day of this 6-day trip to Pleiku Kon Tum Buon Ma Thuot. The next day I visited two stunning waterfalls - Dray Nur and Dray Sap. The forest reverberated with the roaring of distant waters, as the curtain of mist silently lifted off of the porched waking landscape of a sodden paradise. And the mist lightly kissed my face with morsels of cool droplets! Up there overlooking this majestic spectacle I was really awed by nature and its raw power in the Central Highlands.

In the afternoon, I went back downtown to wander around the Buon Ma Thuot Central Market. It was a chaotic, sensory kaleidoscope: The shouts of hawkers mingling with the smell of fresh-roasted coffee and the scent of indigenous goods. I had fun strolling along the craft's shops, watching a line of traditional products and getting some Tay Nguyen souvenirs. This local life shining moment ended my 6 days in Pleiku Kon Tum Buon Ma Thuot perfectly, which was a perfect mix of majestic nature and authentic culture.

It was getting late in the day, and the sun was going down, so I got kind of sentimental and started packing my bags. Feeling the full emotional weight of the shoot, I got into my car and headed back to Buon Ma Thuot Airport. And thus ended my 6 day journey, though not the beauty, culture, or character of this fine country embracing the Tay Nguyen highlands. It was a fantastic adventure !

During a trip across the Central Highlands of Vietnam, accommodation plays an essential role in fully enjoying each stage.

- In Pleiku, there are several comfortable addresses such as Hoang Anh Gia Lai Hotel with large air-conned rooms with city view or friendlier smaller hotels such as Ngoc Se Hotel – to satisfy modesty-budgets type visitors, whose desire is a quiet rest.

- In Kon Tum, the attraction is largely the homestays themselves. Options such as Homestay Konklor or Bamboo Garden Homestay offer an authentic immersion, with proximity to local families and traditional stilt houses. Visit: For additional comfort, stay at the Indochine Hotel Kon Tum, a modern hotel on the banks of the Đắk Bla River.

- And lastly, in Buon Ma Thuot, the coffee capital, you have your pick. Tourists can sleep at city hotels—Dakruco Hotel and Sai Gon – Ban Me Hotel— for their modern amenities. For a more authentic experience, locations such as Elephant Boutique Hotel or some ecolodges right near the falls are also valued.

Whether you choose a boutique hotel, a modern accommodation, or a warm homestay, each place contributes to making a 6-day itinerary in Pleiku Kon Tum Buon Ma Thuot unforgettable.

After 6 days in Pleiku Kon Tum Buon Ma Thuot, I leave with a heart full of sincere encounters and indelible images: the soothing reflection of Lake T’Nưng, the tea hills lit by the sun, the wooden churches of Kon Tum or the colorful life of local markets. Each leg was enabling me to experience the real Central Highlands far from the traditional tourist routes. This trip is not only a succession of landscapes, it is a human and cultural experience that profoundly marks. If you dream of a Central Highlands Vietnam itinerary that combines grandiose nature, living traditions and moments of serenity, then this journey is made for you. With Autour Asia, set out to discover a unique tour and let yourself be inspired by this adventure. Maybe one day, you will live in turn your own emotions in this land of Central Highlands in Vietnam.

👉 To enjoy the best offers and personalized planning, contact AUTOUR ASIA – your travel agency in Vietnam. Get your free quote now with Autour Asia !

Learn more:

- 4 days in Pleiku Kon Tum
- Central Highlands Travel Guide
- Vietnam trip 14 days
- Vietnam Packages Tours