Buzz
Embark on a journey to Pleiku, the dreamy mountain city of the Central Highlands, this August. Where will this Pleiku trip take us? Let's discover the wild beauty of this highland land to see that Vietnam still has many magnificent destinations awaiting travelers.
Pleiku Weather in August
Pleiku weather, specifically, and the Central Highlands in general, usually divides into two distinct rainy and sunny seasons, rather than the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter as in the North. The two seasons in Pleiku: rainy and sunny seasons.
- Rainy Season: Usually starts from May to October every year.
- Dry Season: From November to April the following year.
Traveling to Pleiku in August will encounter both sunny and rainy days. Rainy days may occur in the morning or last all day, making transportation difficult. Additionally, if you want to visit mountainous areas, waterfalls, or villages, heavy rain can make the roads muddy and slippery, hindering travel.
Rain is also a specialty of Gia Lai tourism in general and Pleiku in particular. Continuous rain for a day or a few days is suitable for tourists' resort vacations. On warm sunny days, we can explore and discover this highland area.
According to Pleiku travel experience, Mytour advises choosing the dry season for your trip, especially around November to December when the rice fields turn golden on the hills, wild sunflowers bloom in brilliant yellow along every road, making the scenery of the Central Highlands mountains vibrant and lively. Moreover, this is also the time for many unique traditional festivals of the ethnic people.
Check it out now Tour Nha Trang - Buon Me Thuot 4 Days 3 Nights
Ripe Durian Flower Season
Located about 30km northeast of Pleiku, Chu Dang Ya volcano is a newly emerging destination with pristine natural scenery. When the rainy season arrives, durian flowers on the mountain also bloom brilliantly. However, for most tourists, the journey to the mountain top is a major challenge due to the steep 45-degree slopes, switchbacks, and muddy terrain, prone to slipping.
But in return, trekking along the mountain range, we will behold the patches of red durian flower fields. Chu Dang Ya is one of the rarest areas in the country, and also the only place in the Central Highlands suitable for this long-day tree species. The flowers start to bloom in July and last until October. From afar, this volcano looks like a bowl overturned, but climbing to the summit, tourists will see the mouth of the volcano resembling a wide pan with neat fields, interspersed with corn, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and durian.
>> Book now: Cheap flights to Pleiku
Indulge in bold coffee flavors
Domestic travelers visiting Pleiku in August surely cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy bold coffee flavors. Pleiku's red soil, the heart of Gia Lai, is famous for its thousands of hectares of coffee plantations spread across the roads. The Central Highlands is where many famous coffee brands both domestically and internationally originated, such as Trung Nguyen coffee, Ban Me coffee...
Almost every street has coffee shops with various styles, from modern to classic, from tranquil to bustling... On rainy days in August, we can seize the opportunity to enjoy a cup of bold, warm coffee and chat with friends amidst the rain outside. Admire the unique, peaceful scenery of Pleiku, serene and strangely beautiful.
Pleiku Travel Destinations in August
1. Ho To Nung Lake
Ho To Nung Lake used to be an extinct volcano mouth for hundreds of millions of years, still likened to the 'Eyes of Pleiku,' captivating countless
Standing on the lake shore, visitors feel as if they are standing by the windy sea, hence To Nung is also called Lake Sea. The surrounding scenery is spectacular, from trees to flowers blooming along the lake, with butterflies fluttering and the melodious chirping of birds every morning. In addition, there are vast forests, winding hillsides... In the distance, there are rustic wooden boats gliding on the water. Going on a Pleiku tour in August on beautiful sunny days, we can visit here to explore and immerse ourselves in the symphony of nature of this highland.
2. Minh Thanh Pagoda
Pleiku tours also take us to a temple with architectural features reminiscent of China and Japan, with its typical curved roof. From afar, Minh Thanh Pagoda looks like a magnificent painting, resembling a miniature palace amidst misty mountain streets. Upon entering the temple, you will immediately see the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara placed in the center of the entrance and adorned with green trees, harmonious stone pillars around.
3. Tea Lake
Tea Lake is a Pleiku tourist destination that harmoniously combines a water lake and lush green tea fields. When visiting here in the summer, tourists will enjoy the picturesque scenery with the vivid green color of tea hills, reminiscent of childhood with the scent of tea leaves wafting away all worries.
4. Pleiku Prison
Visiting Pleiku Prison, tourists will explore Vietnam's glorious history, with the most brutal and barbaric torture methods carried out here. In 1925, the French colonialists built the prison to imprison common criminals, mostly ethnic minorities living in the Central Highlands. In 1940, when the revolutionary movement erupted, they turned this place into a prison for patriotic revolutionaries.
Even when the US empire occupied the prison, it remained a place of detention for many patriotic revolutionaries. After 1975, the prison was liberated in the Tay Nguyen Campaign, and from here, the local authorities invested in transforming it into an educational facility for the younger generation.
5. Buu Minh Pagoda
Buu Minh Pagoda is nestled amidst tea hills, with a history of over 50 years carrying significant cultural and historical meanings intertwined with the tea hills. Joining the Pleiku tour in August, don't forget to visit one of the earliest-formed temples on the plateau. The main hall of the pagoda covers nearly 500m2, adorned with solemn and sacred colors. The front of the pagoda faces west towards Lake T'Nung, leaning against the Tien Son mountain, with a favorable geographical and feng shui position that helps the flow of the doctrine smoothly. The peaceful and harmonious beauty with the land, sky, and the scenery of rivers and lakes is the highlight attracting tourists to this place.
Chùa Bửu Minh
Ham Rong Mountain Peak is the most famous volcanic mouth in the Central Highlands, likened to the roof of Pleiku mountain town with its giant funnel-shaped mouth. To climb to the top, Gia Lai tourists will have to overcome over 1000m of mountain roads. But you will find it worthwhile, with the captivating scenery from the mountaintop overlooking the vast expanse of sky and clouds over the majestic plateau. If you don't visit Pleiku in August, you can visit around the wild sunflower season in November - December, to admire the dazzling golden beauty of the Ham Rong mountains.
Nine-Level Waterfall
Nine-Level Waterfall lies about 20km from Pleiku. This unique name originates from the distinctive feature of the waterfall, which is divided into 9 separate levels flowing down the rock shelves below with white foamy sprays. Although it does not possess the grandeur of water cascading from above, the sound of water hitting the rocks still delights us.
On sunny days in Pleiku in August, you will want to come and admire this waterfall for its uniqueness. Looking from the side, you will feel like the waterfall is a long staircase of water. Looking from above, the Nine-Level Waterfall resembles a dragon coiling, ready to soar into the sky.
Chư Đăng Ya Volcano
Chư Đăng Ya Volcano has ceased its activity, but there are still many traces proving that there was once a volcano with layers of material inside long ago. Joining cheap Pleiku tours, you will have the opportunity to admire the lush green meadows compensated by the rich red bazan soil here. The beauty is both tranquil yet vibrant, fresh, and rich, attracting every traveler to explore this paradise amidst the highlands.
9. Unity Square
Unity Square is located in the city center, covering an area of about 12 hectares. In the middle of the square stands the statue of President Ho Chi Minh, behind which are sculptures depicting the life, culture, and people of the highland region. This Pleiku exploration spot is perfect for tourists to enjoy the scenery and catch some fresh air after a long journey visiting waterfalls, pine forests, and lakes.
Great Price Tour Cloud Hunting in Da Lat
Travel to Pleiku in August to savor delicious dishes
When heavy rains disrupt your Pleiku exploration journey, don't forget to take advantage of this time to indulge in the unique Pleiku cuisine. Pleiku delicacies carry the essence of the Central Highlands, captivating us from the very first taste.
1. Dry Pho
While visiting Pleiku, you can't miss the famous two-bowl dry pho of this land. The uniqueness of dry pho lies in its eating style. Unlike pho in other places where the ingredients and broth are served in one bowl, here in the highlands, they are served separately in two bowls. Diners enjoy the noodles separately, then take a small sip of broth, along with raw vegetables and a bit of homemade black sauce.
The noodles are made entirely from rice, so they are chewy, fragrant, round, and flat. When enjoying, you will sense a slight fragrance of the noodles blending with the rich flavor of minced pork, fried shallots, spring onions, and a hint of spiciness from chili. Depending on your taste, you can season it with a bit of soy sauce, lime, or vinegar to suit your palate.
2. Rotten Crab Vermicelli Soup
Just hearing the name, you can almost smell the distinct aroma. The pungent smell of rotten crab vermicelli soup comes from soaking the field crabs overnight to develop the aroma before cooking. Besides the crab, to sweeten the broth, people also add boiled bamboo shoots or duck eggs, a bit of fried shallot fat, dried pig skin, and shrimp crackers to eat with.
Because of its strong flavor, rotten crab vermicelli soup is quite selective in terms of taste. It has the salty taste of fish sauce, the aroma of various herbs, the characteristic pungent flavor combined with the spiciness of chili, and the crispiness of pig skin... Don't miss the chance to try this unique dish when traveling to Pleiku in August.
3. Grilled Chicken in Bamboo Tube Rice
The chicken used in this dish roams freely in the mountainous forests, resulting in firm and chewy meat. The chicken is marinated with a pinch of salt for depth of flavor, along with chili, lemongrass, and a bit of honey, then grilled over a flaming fire. The final product has a sweet taste of honey mixed with the sweetness of the meat and the spiciness of the chili. Enjoying it with authentic bamboo tube rice in the style of the Central Highlands is nothing short of delightful. Grilled Chicken in Bamboo Tube Rice is a dish with the essence of the highlands that we cannot miss.
4. Grilled Skewers
The grilled skewers in Pleiku are served with a unique sour tamarind sauce, which tantalizes the taste buds of diners. When the crispy skewer blends with the sour tamarind sauce in the mouth, you'll understand why this is the most beloved snack in Pleiku. Travelers on budget tours can find many roadside stalls selling this dish.
Things to Note When Traveling to Pleiku in August
August in Pleiku marks the onset of the rainy season, so we need to keep in mind a few things when planning our travel itinerary during this time:
- Carry raincoats, umbrellas, and waterproof bags to protect documents and phones from getting wet in the rain. Check the weather forecast carefully before setting out.
- On rainy days, the roads to waterfalls and forests in Pleiku can be slippery and difficult to navigate, so we should consider carefully before deciding to travel.
- If traveling by motorbike, drive slowly as the roads are narrow and steep to avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles.
Now you know whether traveling to Pleiku in August is beautiful and the experiences worth having in this city. If you're planning to explore the beautiful highlands of Gia Lai in the near future, don't forget the hotline of Mytour Mytour, where you can get the most detailed information.
