Travelers often choose the crowded beach route in Central Vietnam, but the Central Highlands offer a different experience. Here, you’ll find vast forests, impressive mountains, diverse ethnic cultures, beautiful waterfalls, and serene lakes.
The region includes five provinces: Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, and Lam Dong (Dalat). Once inhabited mainly by the Degar people, also known as Montagnards, it remained largely untouched until agricultural interest arose. This led to Vietnamese colonization and conflicts with the indigenous population.
Tourist visits were restricted in the early 2000s due to tensions, though some areas still require permits or special considerations. The region was once a biodiversity-rich jungle, but extensive plantations have altered the landscape. Efforts to protect certain areas have helped preserve its natural beauty.
Today, the region is famed for its expansive coffee plantations, and journeys here offer exploration of plantations, mountains, forests, ethnic villages, lakes, and waterfalls—a paradise for adventurous travelers.
