Dak Lak is a small province in central Vietnam that usually flies under the radar for most tourists. From stunning waterfalls that few outsiders have seen to Vietnam’s first ethical elephant tours to ethnic tribes that still practice the ways of their forefathers, Dak Lak is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
Read on to find out more about the best things to do in Dak Lak.
Yok Don National Park is home to the first ethical elephant tour in Vietnam. If you are an animal lover, this is probably one of the best elephant tours in Vietnam. Here, the elephants come to you. There is no riding the elephants, no up-close interaction with them. Instead, you get to see elephants from a safe distance roaming around in the wild doing as they please as nature intended.
Lak Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Vietnam. The tranquil and picturesque lake is surrounded by mountains, forests, and small villages. It is peaceful with little to no tourist activity. If you’re looking for a place to get away from all the chaos, head to Lak Lake and go camping under the stars. You can stay at one of the many homestays located around the lake and camp there. Besides camping, you can also hire a boat from the locals to go out into the middle of the lake and witness the stunning natural beauty of the area.
Dak Lak is the coffee province of Vietnam. Everywhere you go in Dak Lak, you’ll see large plantations of coffee. Buon Ma Thuot, the largest city in Dak Lak is often called the coffee capital of Vietnam, and for good reason. Every year the city holds the Buon Ma Thuot coffee festival which attracts some of the best coffee growers from around the world. Besides the festival, you can also visit the Trung Nguyen Coffee Village where visitors can drink coffee in traditional cafes. Another attraction is the World Coffee Museum, which has numerous coffee-related artifacts from around the world.
One thing that Dak Lak is famous for, besides their coffee, is the waterfalls. Among all the waterfalls in Dak Lak, Dray Nur takes the crown for being the most impressive and majestic waterfall. A visit to this monstrous yet stunning column of water is one of the best things to do in Dak Lak, Vietnam. It attracts tourists from all over the country who come here for the stunning views. You can go for a picnic next to the waterfall or go on a hike around the waterfall. The falls are also home to a nearby cave that you can explore.
Check out another one of Vietnam’s stunning waterfalls, the Ban Gioc Waterfalls here.
Dak Lak, Vietnam is home to ethnic tribes who have lived among the lush jungles and mountains for hundreds of years. If you want to experience their culture, the first thing you need to do is learn more about the tribes. To do that, you can go to the Ethnographic Museum in Buon Ma Thuot. The museum has a variety of artifacts belonging to the many tribes of Central Vietnam. You can also take a guided tour of the ethnic villages to witness how the tribes live in harmony with nature and learn more about them.
So, there you have it, the 5 best things to do in Dak Lak. This region is one of the lesser-explored areas in Vietnam. A trip to this place should be on your Vietnam bucket list. Apply for a Vietnam visa online at BDATrip and start planning your Vietnam trip now.
