Kon Tu Ma village, located in Mang Den commune, Quang Ngai province, nestles quietly by the gentle Dak S’Nghe River, surrounded by fertile rice fields and vast forests. It is home to the Xo Dang ethnic community, known for their simplicity, sincerity, and strong cultural traditions that embody the spirit of the Central Highlands.

Not only does the village captivate visitors with its landscape and traditions, Kon Tu Ma also impresses with dozens of tiny stilt houses made of bamboo and wood scattered from fields and gardens to the hillsides. These unique structures spark curiosity and have become unusual photo spots.

In fact, they are rice granaries belonging to the Xo Dang people.
Recently, check-in photos with rice granaries in Kon Tu Ma have gone viral online. Photo: Minh Le

For generations, locals have relied on rice as their main source of food. Protecting the granaries symbolizes respect for their labor and the cherished traditions of their ancestors.

These granaries are designed like miniature stilt houses, tightly sealed and sturdy to preserve rice for long periods, protecting it from insects, animals, and weather damage.

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Rice granaries are valuable assets, carefully guarded by villagers. Photo: Mang Den Tourism

They are usually built at a distance from family homes to reduce fire risks. While they may look similar in form, each belongs clearly to a specific household, preventing confusion.

More than storage, the rice granary is seen as a symbol of prosperity and unity within the community.

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These distinctive rice granaries fascinate visitors stopping by for photos. Photo: Minh Le
According to the Mang Den Center for Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Communications, Kon Tu Ma currently has more than 50 rice granaries. The best time to visit is between May and November, when the climate is cool, rivers are lush and green, and the air is fresh.Minh Le, a tour guide in Mang Den, said the village is a regular stop on his tours. The majestic yet tranquil beauty and rustic lifestyle of Kon Tu Ma leave lasting impressions on visitors.
Every morning and dusk, the village takes on a poetic charm with birds singing and streams flowing gently.
Kon Tu Ma offers visitors a sense of peace, truly immersed in nature. Photo: Minh Le/Kon Tu Ma Village

Here, visitors can join the Xo Dang people in wading streams to catch fish with traditional baskets, an activity that is both fun and an authentic glimpse into their daily lives and love of nature.

Tourists can also experience making handicrafts such as weaving brocade, basketry, cooking, or tasting mountain-inspired dishes like sticky rice, grilled pork, stream fish, field snails, free-range chicken, cassava leaves, and fresh forest vegetables.

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A stream flows gently through the village. Photo: Ut Phuong

Kon Tu Ma villagers are now developing homestays to welcome overnight guests and promote sustainable tourism. Visitors can combine a trip to Kon Tu Ma with nearby Kon Tu Rang and Kon Chenh villages, as well as the Kon Tum hydropower lake.

Kon Tu Rang is also home to a famous suspension bridge, 292 meters long, which has become a popular photo spot for tourists visiting Mang Den.

Linh Trang