Story: Sao Mai
Photos: Ninh Ton
Cultural diversity and pristine nature draw visitors to Dak Lak Province.
Nestled in the heart of Vietnam’s majestic Central Highlands, where mountain ranges cradle shimmering rivers and fertile fields of red basalt soil, Dak Lak unfolds like a vivid natural tapestry. In this region, indigenous cultures flourish and form a living treasure. Home to nearly 50 ethnic groups, including the E De, M’nong, J’rai, Muong, Tay, Nung, and Thai, this region holds a remarkable wealth of heritage: from the echoing soundscape of its gong culture and the imposing presence of traditional longhouses, to the exquisite artistry of brocade weaving, the rich aroma of ruou can (fermented rice wine), and the mystique of elephant festivals. To truly experience the Central Highlands, visitors should venture deep into its villages and witness daily life.
Community-based tourism villages across Dak Lak stand out as key destinations, where rustic beauty blends with distinctive local identities, drawing visitors through customs and traditions preserved across generations. Beyond supporting local livelihoods, tourism plays an important role in safeguarding cultural heritage, turning each visit into a meaningful journey that connects people with nature, history, and the enduring spirit of the land.
Start the journey with a stop at Ako Dhong Village in Buon Ma Thuot ward. This small village sits quietly in the heart of the city, shaded by lush green canopies. More than thirty traditional E De longhouses with gracefully curved roofs evoke the wings of eagles over the Central Highlands sky. Visitors will find ancient gong sets, bamboo instruments, community performance troupes, and traditional crafts such as brocade weaving and wood carving, passed down through generations.
Since being recognized as a community-based tourism village in 2023, Ako Dhong has welcomed growing numbers of visitors, particularly during festivals, holidays, and weekends. Both domestic and international travelers enjoy its calm atmosphere. They stroll along the village’s narrow paths, admire the longhouses, sip ruou can (traditional rice wine) by a campfire, and join lively xoang dances.
About 15 kilometers from Ako Dhong, Tong Ju Village in Ea Kao Ward leaves a strong impression with the simple charm of its traditional longhouses and enduring folk crafts. Here, the E De continue to weave brocade, brew ruou can, and carve wooden statues, while preserving a distinctive local cuisine with signature dishes such as canh la bep and grilled chicken.
The village boasts cultural performance troupes, traditional music ensembles, and a culinary group, giving visitors a more immersive experience. International travelers, in particular, appreciate the villagers’ warm, unpretentious hospitality. Tourists can practice weaving on old looms, savor ruou can, listen to E De epics by firelight, or take part in ceremonies such as the Health Blessing Ritual and the Water Wharf Worship Ceremony – moments that reveal the spirit of the Central Highlands in a direct and heartfelt way.
The journey continues to Buon Jun in Lien Son Commune, set beside the poetic waters of Lak Lake. Here, the M’nong R’lam people preserve a distinctive culture shaped by rituals and festivals, a rich community life, and the long tradition of domesticating elephants. Beside the crystal-clear lake, ancient longhouses echo with the resonant sounds of gongs. Visitors can enjoy rides in traditional dugout canoes, experience ethical, elephant-friendly activities like feeding and bathing the animals, and explore handicraft villages specializing in brocade-weaving, pottery, and bamboo and rattan crafts.
Following a lakeside route that links historic villages, travelers move through majestic natural scenery, pausing to savor authentic M’nong cuisine and enjoy authentic gong melodies that leave an enduring impression.
One cannot speak of this region without mentioning Yang Tao pottery village in Lien Son commune, a quiet hamlet at the foot of Chu Yang Sin Mountain. Here, the M’nong R’lam people have preserved one of the oldest and most distinctive handmade pottery traditions in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. The village is known for its entirely manual techniques: no potter’s wheel, no kiln, no chemical glaze – only the practiced hands of the ami (M’nong women). Artisans knead natural clay, shape it with slender bamboo sticks and rings, then fire the pieces in the open air with rice husks and sawdust, creating rustic black pottery with a subtle sheen. From cooking pots, jars, and vases to small figurines of elephants and buffaloes, each piece carries a simple, grounded beauty tied to this basalt-rich land. A visit to Yang Tao lets travelers admire the craft up close and even try making pottery themselves.
These villages testify to the enduring appeal of community-based tourism, where locals actively preserve their cultural identity and transform heritage into a source of sustainable development. Dak Lak offers great forests, pristine landscapes, and gong culture – experiences that linger in visitors’ hearts long after their journey ends.
