Top 10 Reasons to Explore Kon Tum Province

Kon K’lor Communal House was rebuilt on the site of the old communal house in Kon Klor village, Thắng Lợi Ward, Kon Tum in 2011. The old communal house was burned down by intoxicated youths in 2010. The current Kon Klor Communal House measures 17m in length, 6m in width, and has a roof height of 22m, which is 1m taller than the old one. This is considered the largest communal house in Kon Tum and the Central Highlands in general.

The Kon Klor Communal House is designed in a traditional style with entirely wooden materials, bamboo, rattan, and leaves with intricate patterns and motifs typical of the Ba Na ethnic group. Particularly, all the new pillars and floors are made of turned wood - a rare and precious wood. The Kon K’lor Communal House is located within a compound with gates and walls, near the Dak b’la river 'upstream flow' and the Kon Klor suspension bridge. This is a tourist attraction for wedding photography and check-ins when visiting Kon Tum.

When you arrive in the mountainous town of Kon Tum, you will be amazed by the sight of the Đắk Bla River flowing like a graceful ribbon, embracing the quaint little city of Kon Tum. It's truly impressive to see amidst the vast expanse of the Đắk Bla River, the rustic boats drifting gently like forest leaves on the water.

Experiencing boating on the Đắk Bla River is quite fascinating. On a sunny day in Konktu, without rain or wind, you can ask the locals to take you to the boat dock and embark on your legendary river adventure. After cruising along the riverbank, you can disembark and explore other activities along the Đắk Bla River such as strolling along the riverbank, observing the activities of the locals on the shore. And if you wish, you can plunge into the river, swimming freely and comfortably, just be careful not to swim too far. Swimming along the riverbank is quite deep and refreshing, making it a very enjoyable activity for those who truly want to explore the river.

When you've reached Konktu village, don't rush to come and go in a day. If you have the luxury of time, consider spending the night in one of the homestay stilt houses to enrich your experience. One of the most visited homestays here is Bích Ngọc Homestay.

As a spacious and airy homestay situated in the most picturesque location (backed by mountains, facing the legendary Dabla River), Bích Ngọc Homestay will make you feel right at home. Moreover, the hostess here is very friendly, hospitable, and cooks delicious food. If you wish, you can also request her to cook you some specialty dishes of Kontum such as wild boar, bamboo rice, or leaf salad.

Waking up in the homestay in the morning, you'll breathe in the fresh air of the Central Highlands, savor a hot cup of coffee, and admire the surrounding scenery in a wonderfully different setting from the city.

Kon Tum Wooden Church – a treasure nestled amidst the vast mountainous forests of the Central Highlands, stands as a unique religious architectural marvel with a history spanning centuries, a pride of the people of Kon Tum.

Kon Tum Wooden Church – a colloquial name affectionately used by the locals, as this structure is entirely constructed from ironwood. It's regarded as the most ancient and beautiful relic of this charming city. Situated on Nguyen Hue Street, Kon Tum City, Kon Tum Province, it was built in 1913 and completed in 1918, standing firm to this day.

Kon Tum Cathedral was designed and initiated by a French priest. Its architecture harmonizes Roman style and the wooden stilt houses of the Ba Na ethnic group, a remarkable fusion of Western culture and the deeply rooted ethnic culture of the Central Highlands region.

The materials used to build the church are also exceptional, not made of stone like the Phat Diem Stone Cathedral (Ninh Binh), nor bricks or reinforced concrete like other churches, but entirely crafted from the finest wood available at the time. Ironwood – a characteristic wood of the Central Highlands region – was primarily used in the construction of the church. Through the skillful hands of artisans from Binh Dinh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, etc., the structure was erected, with wooden panels ingeniously interlocked without the use of nails. The church stands as a wooden masterpiece styled after the Basilica, the only one of its kind left in the world.

Visiting Kon Tum without trying leaf salad is like not visiting at all. Leaf salad is a specialty that everyone who comes to Kon Tum wants to try at least once. This dish is special because it uses ingredients from over 50 different types of leaves and greens, ranging from common to rare and exotic.

Among them, you can mention spicy cabbage, fish mint, basil, cinnamon basil, Indian marsh fleabane, betel leaf, water apple leaf, passion fruit leaf, dill, sesame, and rose myrtle... Most of the time, the dish is prepared with only 40 types of leaves, but it's essential to include leaf from the fig tree, dill, and hairy gourd leaf. These are the leaves used to wrap other ingredients to create a unique dining experience.

Măng Đen is an ecological paradise in a town in Kon Plong district, Kon Tum province. With an altitude of over 1,200 meters above sea level, Măng Đen enjoys a temperate climate, staying cool throughout the year with temperatures ranging from 16-22 degrees Celsius, making it pleasantly chilly. Enveloped by pristine forests and with over 80% natural coverage, this area harbors a diverse flora and fauna. Flowers bloom in all four seasons, offering breathtaking natural landscapes. With three lakes and seven mountains, this place is likened to an ecological paradise and is dubbed the muse of Kon Tum. Exploring Măng Đen, you'll traverse winding roads flanked by lush green pine trees, with the scent of wildflowers wafting in the air.

Walking amidst the winding roads of Măng Đen, you'll be surrounded by refreshing green pine forests and the delicate fragrance of orchids. Strolling is a favorite pastime of visitors here. In Măng Đen, you can also visit the Kon Tum Đăk Ke Lake tourist area, a beautiful and pristine lake ideal for sightseeing. Being a pristine ecological area, Măng Đen retains a rich diversity of plant and animal life. It boasts seven lakes and three spectacular waterfalls such as Đăk Ke, Pa Sỹ, and Lô Ba, suitable for eco-tourism, relaxation, and scientific research.

When in coffee country Kon Tum, you might forget a dish, a church, or a place, but skipping Eva Coffee Shop with its renowned reputation would surely leave you regretful. Eva Coffee Shop in the mountainous town of Kon Tum is no stranger to coffee enthusiasts and Western tourists alike. Every visitor here falls in love with the taste of the highland at this beautiful café, with each detail of the decor simple yet rich in the spirit and character of the Central Highlands.

When in Kontum, you must visit the most famous coffee shop in the region. That's Eva Coffee Shop, located at 5 Phan Chu Trinh, Kontum. According to the owner, Eva Coffee has been around for over 20 years. The space and decor have been preserved almost intact since then. Perhaps the difference lies in the addition of new spaces, the repair of damaged parts, the addition of greenery, or the collection of new items. The spacious, lush green space is impressively arranged. A collection of tomb statues is displayed prominently in the shop, creating a truly unique focal point. The architecture of the shop exudes the rustic atmosphere of the Central Highlands, with predominantly wooden interior. Eva Coffee is not only a place for travelers to rest, chat, and enjoy a cup of coffee amidst the mountains but also a must-visit destination when exploring the Central Highlands.

Chư Mom Ray National Park, originally the Chư Mom Ray Nature Reserve, located in Kon Tum province, is a national park within Vietnam's system of special-use forests. Currently, Chư Mom Ray National Park is home to 1,500 plant species, including 131 rare species requiring protection, and 620 animal species. It is considered the kingdom of monkeys and gibbons due to the presence of many rare monkey and gibbon species listed in the Red Book. With vast natural landscapes and diverse ecosystems, Chư Mom Ray National Park attracts tourists to explore the nature of Vietnam. It is also a focal point for researchers studying various plant and animal species.

Visitors to Chư Mom Ray National Park not only enjoy exploring the vast natural surroundings but also have the opportunity to visit local villages. They can immerse themselves in the customs and traditions of the local people. So why wait? Start planning your trip with your friends now!

Mount Ngoc Linh is the highest mountain range in Southern Vietnam and the second highest peak in the country. The Ngoc Linh Range ranges from 800 to 2,800 meters in height. This mountain promises to be an extremely interesting and challenging destination for young adventurers, especially trekkers. The road to Mount Ngoc Linh is rugged and winding, with steep cliffs and sheer rock faces. One remarkable feature of this mountain range is the famous Vietnamese ginseng species called Ngoc Linh ginseng, which grows concentrated in the mountainous districts of Ngoc Linh.

The high mountain peaks include:

• Ngok Lum Heo, at 2116 meters;
• Muong Hoong, at 2400 meters;
• Ngok Linh (Mount Ngoc Linh), considered the highest peak in the Southern Truong Son Range (from the Bach Ma Range to the end of the Southern Plateau) and half of Southern Vietnam (including the Southern Central Coast, Central Highlands, and Southern Vietnam, the areas south of Hai Van Pass) with an absolute height of 2,605 meters;
• Ngoc Phan, at 2,251 meters;
• Ngoc Krinh, located on the border between Dak Ha and Kon Plong districts, at 2,066 meters;
• Ngok Tem, in Ngok Tem commune, Kon Plong district, at 1362 meters;
• Ngoc Bon Son, at 1,939 meters;
• Kon Bo Ria, at 1,500 meters;
• Ngok Roo, situated on the border between Kon Plong and Kbang districts, at the source of the Ba River, at 1509 meters;
• Kon Krông, at 1,330 meters.

Pa Sỹ Waterfall - Nature's masterpiece amidst the Kon Tum mountains. Located within the ecological and cultural tourism area of Pa Sỹ Waterfall (or Pa Sỹ Waterfall tourist area), covering a total area of 25 hectares, this waterfall is one of the three beautiful waterfalls in the Măng Đen pine forest, a land steeped in the legend of 7 lakes and 3 waterfalls of the local people. Pa Sỹ Waterfall sits at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level, ensuring a cool climate year-round. Here, you can enjoy a symphony of sound from the rushing waterfall and the chirping of birds, a sound so captivating that you'll want to stay forever. The waterfall cascades down like a white silk ribbon across the mountains, a truly picturesque sight. Sitting and admiring the cool white water bubbles, listening to the mountain birdsong, and enjoying the fresh air, leaving behind all the fatigue and city dust, this is when your soul is most peaceful and serene.

If you feel tired, you can visit the leaf huts around the tower to rest and admire the majestic nature. You can enjoy the specialties of the forest and immerse yourself in nature. This is also the attraction of the Pa Sỹ Waterfall tourist area. Moreover, visitors can learn about the traditional cultural living space of the Mơ Nâm people in Kon Tu Rằng village. Learn how to make everyday items from bamboo or watch how the locals make can wine...