VietNamNet Bridge – The map of tourist destinations in the north of the Central Highlands has now had a fresh face—Dak Nong Province. Saigontourist Travel Service Co. has launched a two-day HCMC-Dak Nong tour starting from VND1.779 million, departing weekly on Saturdays, and a four-day HCMC-Dak Nong-Dak Lak tour starting from VND3.879 million, departing weekly on Thursdays. Apart from familiar destinations like Dak Lak, Kon Tum and Gia Lai provinces, these tours have further diversified the itineraries of the Central Highlands.

A view of Ta Dung reservoir.

Dak Lak is famous for the gong culture, the Ede and the M’nong ethnic minorities’ villages and elephant races in Don Village. Kon Tum is well-known for its 100-year-old wooden church and Gia Lai for the tomb houses and the T’nung Lake. Meanwhile, Dak Nong is appealing to tourists due to the most beautiful waterfalls in the region and untapped natural spots. Infrastructure and services in Dak Nong have been upgraded to meet tourism standards. In addition, the province has convenient transportation with the newly upgraded National Highway 14.

Tourists travelling to the province from end-October to end-November will enjoy the blooming season of wild sunflowers. Usually, the blossoming season marks the end of the rainy season, but sometimes it drizzles all of a sudden, making the scenery along the roads more romantic.

Dak Nong is a gift of Mother Nature, coming with abundant resources, primeval forests, rare flora and fauna species, cool weather and unique natural landscapes. Notably, the province boasts magnificent waterfalls like Dak G’lun, Dak Buk So, Dray Sap, Gia Long, Trinh Nu and Lieng Nung. It also has vast lakes such as Ea Sno, Tay, Doan Van and Truc. Particularly, Ta Dung Nature Reserve covers 22,000 hectares of the Ta Dung mountain range. Nam Nung ecological-cultural-historical tourist site is a complex of scenic spots and historical relics. The province is calling for investments in turning Nam Nung and Ta Dung nature reserves into two national eco-resorts offering unique tourism products.

The province has discovered a 25-kilometer-long volcanic cave system in Krong No Commune. The cave system stretches from a volcanic crater in Choah Village along the Srepok River to Dray Sap Waterfall. Among tens of big and small caves of the cave system, the largest one is more than one kilometer in length and thousands of meters in width. It has a structure characterized by lava flows, creating a spectacular view.

Dak Nong has a diverse culture comprising the nuances of some 40 ethnic minorities nationwide. It also owns many cultural heritages and unique folklore. Particularly, its gong cultural space and Ot N’rong Epic are recognized as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Luu Ly Waterfall – Photo: Courtesy of Saigontourist

Ta Dung Nature Reserve lying between Dak Nong and Di Linh plateaus is dubbed “Halong Bay of Dak Nong” thanks to its unspoiled beauty. About 280 kilometers from HCMC, Ta Dung’s highest mount, also called Ta Dung, is 1,982 meters above sea level. Ta Dung has cool climate all year round with abundant and diverse fauna and flora. Tourists should take a boat tour around the large reservoir of Dong Nai 3 Hydropower Plant, which will afford them relaxation induced by crystal clear water and fresh air. Ta Dung is an appropriate destination for those who love discovering new land and cultures, and meeting new people. At this time of year, tourists will indulge themselves in the ripening season of durians and mangosteens. The 62-hectare Gia Trang Farm is the most famous there.

Taking the HCMC-Dak Nong tour, tourists will visit Soc Bom Bo and Bu Dang. After exploring Gia Nghia Town in Dak Nong Province, tourists will visit D’ray Sap and Luu Ly waterfalls. While watching the cascade, they can hear birds singing. Then, tourists may find peace of mind at Truc Lam Dao Nguyen Monastery nestled in an immense pine forest.

On the way to Dak Lak, tourists will visit Don Village, which is famous for mahouts. In Dak Lak, tourists will also have a chance to cross a suspension bridge, watch the Srepok River, visit the 120-year-old house on stilts of Lao people, and houses on stilts of the Ede ethnic people in Ako Dhong Village. The tour also takes in a coffee farm where weasels are raised to make the most famous coffee in the world, and Trung Nguyen Coffee Village. The trip to Dak Lak Museum will help tourists learn more about the spiritual and material life of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands. Khai Doan, the largest pagoda in Buon Ma Thuot City, is worth a visit. The pagoda was built in accordance with the long house architecture of the Ede people while its columns are in the style of a traditional Vietnamese house.

These tours are ideal choices for white-collar workers who want to get a new experience and those who want to relax with their family members on weekends.

Saigontourist Travel Service Co.: 45 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1, HCMC. Tel: 1900 1808 – 0912 984 279, email: info@saigontourist.net www.dulichthu-dong.com

SGT