Destinations in Dak Lak

Buon Ma Thuot

The coffee capital of Vietnam: a relaxed highland city of red earth, coffee gardens and Ede villages, and the starting point of every adventure in Dak Lak.

Region

Central Dak Lak

Time needed

1 to 2 days

Best time

November to April

Good for

Coffee, culture, cycling

Overview

The Coffee Capital of Vietnam

Buon Ma Thuot sits on a basalt plateau about 500 metres above sea level, surrounded by some of the most productive coffee land in the world. Coffee shapes everything here, from the farms that start at the edge of town to the cafés that fill up from early morning.

The city is also home to the Ede people, whose longhouses still stand in villages within the city limits. Most visitors spend a day or two here, then use Buon Ma Thuot as a base for Lak Lake, Buon Don, Yok Don and the waterfalls of the Serepok River.

Victory Monument square in Buon Ma Thuot

Highlights

World Coffee Museum
Ede longhouses in Ako Dhong village
Coffee farm visits
Local café culture

Things to do

What to See and Do

World Coffee Museum

A striking museum built in the shape of traditional longhouses, telling the story of coffee around the world and in Vietnam.

Dak Lak Museum

A good introduction to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands: daily life, gongs, crafts and the history of the province.

Ako Dhong Village

An Ede village inside the city where longhouses on stilts stand next to newer homes. Walk its quiet lanes.

Coffee Farms

Ride out to a family farm to see how coffee is grown, harvested, dried and roasted, and taste it where it grows.

Victory Monument

The tank monument in the centre of the city marks the events of March 1975 and is the city’s best-known landmark.

Café Hopping

Strong coffee with condensed milk, egg coffee or a modern pour-over, from street stalls to garden cafés.

Practical information

Good to Know Before You Go

Best Time to Visit

The dry season, from about November to April, has sunny days and comfortable temperatures. Coffee blossom season is from January to March and the harvest from about October to January. From May to October short heavy showers usually come in the afternoon.

How to Get There

Buon Ma Thuot Airport has daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Sleeper buses connect the city with Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Da Lat. For trips outside the city, a car with driver or a guided tour is the easiest option.