Travel to Dak Lak in the evening, where to go and what to do to have the most enjoyable experiences? Here are eight suggestions from Wanderlust Tips.
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1. CAMPFIRE AND CENTRAL HIGHLANDS GONG
Feel Vietnam Central Highlands’ cultural space The space of gong culture in the Vietnam Highlands was recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity on 25th November 2005. The owners of this special cultural type are Vietnamese Central Highland ethnic groups: Bahnar, Xo Dang, Mnong, Koho, Rơmăm, Rade, Jarai, etc. Gong is closely associated with the life of Central Highlands people, the voice of the human soul to express joys and sorrows in life, in daily work and activities. Visitors will have a lot of opportunities to experience this unique cultural space through participating in campfire and Central Highlands Gong cultural exchange night in many famous tourist spots throughout the province.
Top tips: There are many places that organize gong arts exchanges for visitors such as Ako Dhong Village, Buon Don Tourist site, Jun Village and M’Lieng Village near Lak lake, Ko Tam Ecological Community Tourist Site.
Cuisine: Enjoy Central Highlands stem wine and specialties during the campfire.
2. TRUNG NGUYEN COFFEE VILLAGE – THE AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM OF CENTRAL HIGHLANDS
Trung Nguyen Coffee Village is located in an area of 2 hectares in Tan Loi Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City. This place is now displaying dozens of ancient houses and more than 2,000 artifacts included that are production tools and cultural products of ethnic groups in Vietnam Central Highlands from ancient to modern times.
Top tips:
Coming here, visitors can visit the ancient coffee garden; learn about the origins, cultivation method and artistic coffee processing. Besides, you can explore the ancient house space, Rade people’s stilt houses bearing the features of Vietnam Central Highlands, etc. There is also a souvenir centre where visitors can choose hundreds of unique gifts. Finally, sipping cups of fragrant coffee while enjoying art performances will be an unforgettable impression in the coffee village for visitors.
Cuisine: The food area in the coffee village serves over 50 special dishes of the three regions.
3. BUON MA THUOT SIX-WAY INTERSECTION – A PLACE TO WITNESS THE CHANGES IN THE CITY
Buon Ma Thuot six-way Intersection is located in the centre of the city; this is the starting point of 3 streets: Phan Chu Trinh, No Trang Long and Le Duan. Coming there, visitors will encounter Buon Ma Thuot’s victory monument – the symbol of the city. This is the meeting point of the roads that connect the Kinh and Ede ethnic groups. The roads, which were once dusty in the dry season and muddy in the rainy season, are now paved with stones and smoothly asphalted. Buon Ma Thuot six-way Intersection brings a modern look of a young urban street with surrounded architectural works such as memorials, hotels, and cultural centres.
Must see: A few hundred metres away, there is the cultural centre of Dak Lak Province (2 Hung Vuong) where preserves the famous wild ancient Konia tree.
Cuisine: Y Jut Banh Khot (a southern specialty consisting of small, fried rice flour pancakes) (270 Y Jut Str.), Mrs. Xuyen Hu Tieu Restaurant (27 Le Thanh Ton Str.), Mai rice noodles with grilled meat (98/12 Dien Bien Phu Str.).
4. BUON MA THUOT SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL – A BLEND OF ARCHITECTURAL AND RELIGIOUS BEAUTY
Located in the city centre of Buon Ma Thuot, next to Buon Ma Thuot six-way Intersection, Buon Ma Thuot Sacred Heart Cathedral is the first missionary base of Vietnam Central Highlands. The church, which was made entirely from wood, has a distinctive indigenous cultural style with its design resembling the longhouse of the Rade. With a length of 45 metres, a width of 12 metres, and a total area of 828 square metres, the church can accommodate up to 1,200 seats.
Top tips:
Address: 2 Phan Chu Trinh, Thang Loi Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City. Tourists can visit there during the day or in the evening. In the evening, the church is lighted up, shimmering fancifully and impressively. With the special location right at the centre of the city, it is convenient for visitors to visit and take photos with this most famous church in Buon Ma Thuot.
Cuisine: Red Lantern clay pot riceRestaurant (12 Alley, 04 Nguyen Van Troi Str.), 52 Chicken Rice Restaurant (25 Le Thanh Tong Str.), Tuan Map Bread (20 Phan Chu Trinh Str.)…
5. ENJOY THE TASTE OF BUON MA THUOT COFFEE – PURE, DELICIOUS AND UNFORGETTABLE
Dak Lak has the largest coffee planting area and biggest production of exported coffee in the country. Therefore, the coffee industry always plays an important role in the province’s socio-economic development. Therefore, visiting Dak Lak, especially Buon Ma Thuot City, without drinking coffee, is a great pity. The city has a lot of cafés ranging from popular entertaining coffee shops to common cafés, but it is recommended to go to a small and casual one to taste Highland coffee. Just by watching the city lighting up and immersing into the aromatic coffee, you can have a great evening experience.
Top tips: Cafés are present everywhere in the city. In particular, the coffee in a small casual café is quite cheap, only about 8,000-17,000 VND per cup depending on the coffee type.
Cuisine: You can choose a variety of coffee such as black, ice milky or white coffee depending on your taste.
6. LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC – ENJOY THE BOOMING AND PASSIONATE VOICE
Many cafés in Buon Ma Thuot City regularly organize live music shows to serve tourists. Sipping a cup of pure coffee while enjoying the energetic, resonant and passionate voice of local singers in the midst of the cozy café space will bring visitors an unforgettable evening.
Top tips: Coffee shops with live music performances in Buon Ma Thuot City: Sunrise Coffee (58 Le Thanh Tong Str.), Dalacafe (65 Tran Quang Khai Str.), Cao Nguyen Xanh Coffee (80 Y Ngong Str.), Idol Café (51 Tran Phu Str.), Xua and Nay Coffee (63A Y Ni Ksor Str.)…
Cuisine: Choose from a wide selection of beverages at live music cafés.
7. VINCOM PLAZA BUON MA THUOT – SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX
Designed in modern style, Vincom Plaza Buon Ma Thuot has 6 floors with a total retail floor area of nearly 11,000 square metres. Visitors coming there can enjoy shopping for fashion items, jewelries, household items, and electrical and electrical appliances, as well as daily necessities from famous brands in the country and all over the world. Besides, Starlight cinema will bring you the happiest entertainment moments inside a lively cinema world with famous blockbusters.
Top tips: Address: 78 Ly Thuong Kiet, Thang Loi Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City.
Cuisine: Restaurants at the centre of Vincom Plaza such as Kichi Kichi, Pizza Company, Gogi House, Baskin Robins…
8. MARCH 10 CITY SQUARE – THE BUSTLING LOCAL LIVING SPACE
The square located at the centre of Buon Ma Thuot City is very spacious and less invaded by surrounding restaurants. Kids come here in the cool afternoon to have fun, fly kite, ride tandem, go cyclo and and roller skates. In the evening, this area becomes really crowded. The restaurants and beverage vendors are bustling and noisy. Many people also carry mats to spread on the ground to rest and eat.
Top tips: After strolling around the square, visitors can visit the brasseries in the area. With a fun, vibrant and friendly atmosphere, this is a perfect evening gathering place for groups of friends.
Cuisine: Dong Que clay rice pot (18 Ngo Quyen Str.), Chicken Hot Pot with Aganonerion (9 Le Lai Str.), NightHotpot & Grilled food (127 Le Thanh Ton Str.)
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