Travel Guide to Buon Ma Thuot from A to Z in 2024

Considered the cultural hub of the Central Highlands, Buon Ma Thuot captivates visitors with endless coffee plantations, majestic waterfalls, and the legendary beauty of the Serepok River. Let's pack our bags and explore Buon Ma Thuot with Mytour.

Travel Guide to Buon Ma Thuot from A to Z in 2024

Overview of Buon Ma Thuot Tourism

Buon Ma Thuot, also known as Buon Me Thuot, is the capital city of Dak Lak province, situated at an elevation of 536m on the Central Highlands. With an expansive area of 37,718ha, it covers about 2.87% of the Dak Lak province's territory. Apart from its vast expanse, Buon Me Thuot boasts a favorable geographical location and serves as a crucial transportation hub for the country. Embarking on your Buon Ma Thuot travel journey, you are sure to be mesmerized by the magnificent and unique natural landscapes, including nature reserves, and spectacular waterfalls...

Best Time to Visit Buon Ma Thuot

Traveling to Buon Ma Thuot experiences distinct rainy and dry seasons. The dry season lasts from November to April, while the rainy season spans from May to October. With a relatively mild climate and an average annual temperature of 23 – 24°C, you can visit Buon Ma Thuot at any time of the year. However, the ideal months are December (wild sunflowers bloom, and local festivals are vibrant) or February-March (coffee flowers season and the captivating elephant racing festival).

Buon Ma Thuot is approximately 350km from Ho Chi Minh City and 1,400km from Hanoi. You can opt for traveling to Buon Ma Thuot by road or air:

– From Ho Chi Minh City: If driving, it takes about 7-8 hours. Bus tickets, priced around 200,000 – 240,000 VND one way, can be purchased at Mien Dong Bus Station with multiple daily departures. Consider a late-night trip (22h) to make use of the night's sleep on the bus.

– From Ho Chi Minh City: If choosing to fly, you can take direct flights with Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Jetstar. It takes only about one hour to reach Buon Ma Thuot. Check out great flight deals at Mytour.

– From Hanoi: Purchase flight tickets from Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Jetstar. The flight from Hanoi to Buon Ma Thuot lasts approximately 1h45 minutes. Explore fantastic flight deals at Mytour. Buon Ma Thuot Airport is around 15 km from the city center, and there are plenty of taxis available for hassle-free transportation.

Must-Visit Places in Buon Ma Thuot

Depending on the duration of your Buon Ma Thuot trip, you can plan a reasonable itinerary for the nearby attractions, mostly within a 60km radius of Buon Ma Thuot city. Here are some places of interest for your reference:

Elephant Rock

Located in Yang Tao commune (Lak district), about 40km from the center of Buon Ma Thuot via National Highway 27, Elephant Rock consists of a pair of Father Elephant Rock and Mother Elephant Rock standing tall amidst the mountains, carrying fascinating and mysterious legends. Estimated to be about 200m in length, with a circumference at the base of about 500m, a height of over 30m, and weighing tens of thousands of tons, Mother Elephant Rock is the largest monolithic rock in Vietnam.

From the ground, it takes only about 15 minutes to climb to the highest point of the rock by traversing gentle slopes. From the top of Elephant Rock, you can observe many scenic views in the area, such as Yang Reh Lake and the Chư Yang Sin mountain range – the roof of the Central Highlands. Although climbing to the top of Elephant Rock is not difficult, you need to be cautious because there are very few footholds on the rock. On windy days, climbing to the top of Elephant Rock can be quite adventurous as climbers may be swept off the cliff by the wind.

Ko Tam Tourist Area

Ko Tam Tourist Area is 8km from the center of Buon Ma Thuot, situated on National Highway 26, 789 Pham Van Dong, Tan Hoa, Buon Ma Thuot City. Here, visitors can explore the diverse and distinctive culture of the Central Highlands. Notably, all architectural structures in the tourist area are built with bamboo, bamboo leaves, and wood, creating an impressive and eye-catching sight.

There is also a communal house showcasing paintings, musical instruments of the Ede people, and a waterfront area recreated in the most natural way, reflecting the cultural beliefs of the local people. In addition, there is an artificial fishing lake with traditional coracles providing an opportunity for visitors to experience unique boat rides.

Dak Lak Museum

Also known as the Museum of the Cultures of the Central Highlands, it is built on the very site of Bao Dai Palace, a historical monument of Dak Lak. The museum houses around 1,000 artifacts and images, organized into three main exhibition spaces (biodiversity, ethnic culture, and history). This cultural architectural work combines modern style with traditional ethnic culture. Dak Lak Museum is particularly pioneering in using the indigenous languages of ethnic minorities in displays.

Victory Monument of Buon Ma Thuot

The monument is located in the center of Ngã Sáu roundabout, featuring a tank model holding the flag to commemorate the victory of Buon Ma Thuot. It is also a sacred symbol for the city residents. No matter where you go, seeing Ngã Sáu symbol is like seeing your own home.

Located 12km southeast of Buon Ma Thuot City, Ea Kao Lake was formed by damming streams like Ea Knin, Ea Kao, Ea Chat, and Cu Mblim for irrigation of rice and coffee crops. Despite being a hydraulic project since 1983, Ea Kao Lake maintains its pristine charm. Beneath the lake lies a diverse ecosystem with various freshwater fish and shrimp species. Surrounding the lake are rolling hills and lush vegetation, including ancient forests with towering trees.

Gia Long, Dray Nur, Dray Sap Waterfall Cluster

Dray Nur Waterfall is located 25km from Buon Ma Thuot City, along National Highway 14, passing Buon Kop hydroelectric plant nearly 3km. Dray Nur, meaning Wife Waterfall, is a majestic gift of nature to Dak Lak. Dray Nur is adjacent to Dray Sap Waterfall (also known as Husband Waterfall), connected by a suspension bridge over the Serepok River. Both waterfalls showcase the beauty and grandeur of nature.

Gia Long Waterfall, also known as Upper Dray Sap Waterfall, is situated next to Dray Sap Waterfall towards its source. According to local folklore, the name is associated with Nguyen Anh (Gia Long) seeking refuge here during his escape from the Tay Son Dynasty. To give the waterfall a distinct name and highlight its historical value, locals began calling it Gia Long Waterfall instead of Upper Dray Sap Waterfall. However, there is a theory suggesting that the name was given by Bao Dai during his visit to this area.

Thuy Tien Waterfall

Thuy Tien Waterfall, also known as Three-tier Waterfall, is a scenic waterfall in Dak Lak, located in Ea Puk commune, Krong Nang district. It is a beautiful and untouched landscape amidst the mountains, featuring numerous stacked rocks and intertwined tree roots, creating a captivating scene.

Due to its three cascading tiers, it is also known as the Triple-tiered Waterfall. The first tier is narrow with a gentle slope, featuring easily accessible steps. The second tier is expansive with multiple rocky levels and shallow pools suitable for bathing. The third tier sees water cascading from above into a wide and deep reservoir, creating foamy splashes before peacefully joining the meandering flow amidst the lush green mountains.

Yok Don National Park

Yok Don National Park spans three districts: Buon Don, Ea Sup (Dak Lak province), and Cu Jut (Dak Nong province). Considered one of Vietnam's largest special-use forests, Yok Don sits on a relatively flat area with two small hills south of the Serepok River. The park primarily consists of natural forests, with a significant portion being deciduous forests.

Yok Don is the only national park in Vietnam preserving this unique forest type. Visitors can engage in various eco-tourism activities such as elephant riding, trekking, and mountain biking through pristine forests. Particularly at night, you can observe wild animals, and during the day, enjoy a rustic boat ride on the picturesque Serepok River.

Chu Yang Sin National Park

When exploring Buon Ma Thuot, Chu Yang Sin National Park in the districts of Lak and Krong Bong, 60 km east of the city, is a must-visit for an enticing eco-tourism experience. Whether mountain biking through lush pine forests, discovering various wild bird species, or embarking on a rustic boat trip on the river, this destination offers captivating adventures you shouldn't miss.

Coffee World Museum

Situated on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, right in the center of Buon Ma Thuot city, the Coffee World Museum has been a must-visit check-in point since its opening in November 2018. With an open space divided into various zones, the coffee museum is designed in the long-house architecture of the Central Highlands people. Despite that, many tourists liken this place to Europe for its harmonious blend of modernity and tradition.

Buon Ako Dhong

Buon Ako Dhong (commonly known as Co Thon) is located to the north, approximately 2km from the center of Buon Ma Thuot city. In the E De language, 'Ako' means the source, and 'Dhong' means valley. Ako Dhong is the source valley, fed by the waters of Ea Nhon stream, renowned for its prosperity and also called 'Buon Nha Ngoi' or 'Buon Ama Rin'. Traditional festivals organized by the Ama Rin village are frequent, featuring songs, dances, and traditional music echoing under the long communal house. The vibrant colors of the highland region always captivate many travelers stepping foot in this basaltic land.

Trung Nguyen Coffee Village

Trung Nguyen Coffee Village is not only a famous coffee shopping destination but also designed as a miniature park. Beautifully crafted scenic areas, such as large waterfalls, bridges, streams, ponds, and stilt houses, attract bustling crowds of tourists. Here, you can explore this community without making any purchases or enjoying drinks in the cafes; the visit is entirely free.

Lak Lake

Located approximately 56km south of Buon Ma Thuot City, this is the largest freshwater lake in the Central Highlands and the second largest in Vietnam (after Ba Be Lake). The lake is surrounded by pristine forests. In addition to the natural beauty, the villages of the M'Nong ethnic people living around the lake will provide you with unique cultural experiences. Lak Lake is also an ideal place to admire the sunrise and sunset during the day.

What to Eat in Buon Ma Thuot?

Red Vermicelli

Red vermicelli is a specialty of the Buon Ma Thuot highland city. The name of the dish comes from a bowl of vermicelli with the characteristic red color of the broth. The dish combines various ingredients such as crab bricks, quail eggs, and various vegetables...

Stick Vermicelli Soup

Stick vermicelli soup (or stick vermicelli) has a broth quite similar to bun bo Hue. The main difference lies in the ingredients. Instead of using beef, the people in this highland region use the hind leg meat of the pig. The chosen meat is cleaned, then simmered until tender in the broth, then taken out to cool. Each time a customer orders, the owner takes pieces of stick vermicelli and puts them into the hot broth, then adds to a bowl of pre-prepared vermicelli with a bit of fermented shrimp paste. Finally, green onions, shallots, and hot broth are added to the bowl.

Beef dipped in tamarind sauce

Beef dipped in tamarind sauce, with a sweet and sour taste, served with bread, water spinach, and salad, is also a famous and delicious dish. The beef is thinly sliced, easy to eat, then dipped in the boiling tamarind sauce. This dish is unique with its sour and sweet taste from tamarind, making it difficult to get tired of. So when you have the opportunity to come here, enjoy this dish and see how it tastes.

Lam rice, fiery grilled chicken

Lam rice and fiery grilled chicken are two famous dishes of the people in Don village. Here, you can enjoy these dishes in restaurants in Buon Ma Thuot.

Address suggestion: Yang Sin Highlands Cuisine – Tran Nhat Duat, Tan Loi, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak.

Leaf soup

Leaf soup, also known as forest leaf hotpot by the Ede people. The dish is prepared from 10 different types of forest leaves. When eaten, it has a unique bitter and spicy taste. You can find this dish in specialty restaurants in Buon Ma Thuot.

Sour soup with snakehead fish or snakehead fish hotpot – a dish you cannot overlook, made from the special snakehead fish of the majestic Serepork river. The hotpot is simmered with fish, tomatoes, crushed lemongrass, sour bamboo shoots, etc. The delicious and sweet broth has a slightly sour taste from tomatoes and sour bamboo shoots, with tasty and firm fish meat. The hotpot is usually served with various types of hotpot vegetables and fresh vermicelli. This is a delicious dish with excellent cooling properties, especially on hot days. Additionally, snakehead fish is also used for grilling and making sour fish soup.

Grilled meat rice paper rolls

Grilled meat rice paper rolls are a popular breakfast dish among the people of Buon Me Thuot. This dish is a combination of rolled rice paper with grilled pork, various herbs, cucumbers, and fragrant herbs. After that, dip the rolled rice paper into fish sauce. This dish is delicious thanks to the well-marinated meat, balanced with the salty-sweet fish sauce.

Address suggestion: Grilled meat rice paper rolls – 90A Le Thanh Tong, Tan Loi, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak.

Bitter Eggplant and Dried Fish Salad

Bitter Eggplant and Dried Fish Salad is a rustic dish often used to treat guests and celebrate occasions in the Central Highlands. The main ingredients are bitter eggplant and dried small fish. Bitter eggplant has a bitter and strong taste and is a familiar fruit in the lives of the people here. They usually slice bitter eggplant and mix it with dried small fish, lime juice, garlic, sugar, chili, and fish sauce added last. All create a flavorful and stimulating salad.

Don Village Grilled Chicken

When you visit Buon Ma Thuot, you cannot miss exploring Don Village and savoring the famous grilled chicken here. Don Village's chicken is free-range, so the chicken meat is firm and just right. The chicken is cleaned, then marinated with spices such as salt, chili, lemongrass, and especially marinated with fragrant forest honey. The grilled chicken will have a vibrant yellow color and a fragrant aroma emanating from the tender white meat. Grilled chicken is enjoyed with fresh herbs, bamboo rice, and dipped in green chili salt or lemongrass chili salt, bringing out the delicious flavor of Don Village chicken.

Address suggestion: Chicky Grilled Chicken – 13 Nguyen Van Troi, Thang Loi Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak.

Kho Rieng Waterfall Snakehead Fish

Snakehead fish is commonly known in delta regions. However, people in the Central Highlands also catch snakehead fish at waterfalls. Snakehead fish simmered with galangal is a familiar dish to the locals in Buon Ma Thuot. The fish is stewed with salt, chili, shallots, lemongrass, pepper, and especially galangal. The tender and flavorful snakehead fish combines the spicy taste of chili, the aromatic scent of galangal, lemongrass, and pepper. This dish is perfect when enjoyed with white rice.

Forest Vegetable Hotpot

Forest vegetable hotpot originated from the Ede people. Over time, this dish has become popular among the people of Buon Ma Thuot. Forest vegetable hotpot is a combination of 10 types of vegetables picked from the forest. Although called a hotpot, this dish is quite similar to vegetable soup. The unique aroma of the dish comes from the combination of scents from various vegetables and is usually served with shrimp and meat.

Souvenirs

Buon Ma Thuot Coffee

Coffee with a unique fragrance blended with a peculiar chocolate flavor. Once you are in Buon Ma Thuot, don't forget to buy this type of coffee as a gift.

Coffee Blossom Honey

This honey has a balanced sweetness, making it one of the nutritious gifts you should buy when visiting Buon Ma Thuot.

Dried Bamboo Shoots

Dried bamboo shoots are a familiar dish in the Buon Ma Thuot region. The dried bamboo shoots retain the taste of tender and fragrant young bamboo, being both chewy and delicious. From dried bamboo shoots, you can create various tasty dishes such as stewed pork with bamboo shoots, duck stew with dried bamboo shoots, etc.

Cocoa Powder

Cocoa powder is a specialty of Buon Ma Thuot, with a fine and even texture, unique flavor, and rich aroma from cocoa. Besides beverage preparation, cocoa powder can be used to make delicious cakes or chocolates.

Bitter Eggplant

This eggplant has a distinctive bitterness blended with an irresistible aroma. One taste will make you remember this unique dish of the region.

Creamy Avocado

When in Buon Ma Thuot, don't forget to buy creamy avocados as gifts for your friends and family. The avocado has a characteristic rich and fragrant flavor, with a delightfully smooth texture that wins the hearts of many visitors to this place.

Where to Stay in Buon Ma Thuot?

Mường Thanh Luxury Hotel Buon Ma Thuot

Sai Gon Ban Me Hotel

Hai Ba Trung Hotel Buon Ma Thuot

Elephants Hotel Buon Ma Thuot

Things to Note When Traveling to Buon Ma Thuot:

– Bring a raincoat, as sudden rain showers are common in the Buon Me Thuot provinces.

– Wear warm clothes as the high-altitude air is quite chilly, not to mention the continuous gusts of wind.

– Buon Me Thuot roads are quite narrow, with many steep slopes, so travelers need to pay attention to speed, visibility, and avoid reckless overtaking.

– Familiarize yourself with the customs of local ethnic groups when entering villages, and avoid venturing deep into the locals' fields or forests.

Source: Mytour

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour