Information
Landmark: Mang DenCity: Kon Tum
Country: Vietnam
Continent: Asia
Mang Den, Kon Tum, Vietnam, Asia
Overview
Mang Den, often called Vietnam’s “Second Da Lat,” is a highland town in Kon Plong District, Kon Tum Province, where cool mountain air drifts through pine forests, past tumbling waterfalls, and over quiet spiritual sites.Locals often call it the “Second Da Lat,” a fresh ecotourism spot tucked into the cool, pine-scented hills of Vietnam’s Central Highlands.Number one.The area sits about 50 kilometers from Kon Tum City, tucked along National Highway 24 where the road winds past green hills.The area sits about 1,200 to 1,500 meters above sea level, where the air feels crisp and cool.The climate stays mild all year, with average temperatures hovering between 16 and 22°C-just warm enough for a light jacket on cool mornings.Cool breezes drift through the frequent mist, making it a welcome break from Vietnam’s sticky tropical heat.Pine forests blanket more than 80% of the land, their dark needles brushing against the wind.Number two.Natural Attractions – Lakes and Waterfalls: Dak Ke Lake, the largest and most well-known in the area, is ideal for a lazy boat ride or spreading out a picnic blanket by the water’s edge.Pa Sy Waterfall spills over smooth rock into a clear pool, wrapped in lush tropical greenery, with an ethnic culture exhibit just a short walk away.Toong Dam, Toong Zori, and Toong Po Lakes stay blissfully quiet-perfect for snapping photos or just stretching out on a sun‑warmed rock.Mang Den Ecotourism Area’s forests brim with life-rare orchids spill color along shaded trails, ancient pines rise into the cool air, and wildlife moves quietly through the undergrowth.Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve is home to the rare Ngoc Linh ginseng, a treasured medicinal plant with roots the color of warm amber.Number three.Lady Mang Den Statue (Mẹ Măng Đen) – a weathered Virgin Mary figure, her hands gone and her stone robe streaked with moss, draws countless Catholic pilgrims.Pa Sy Ethnic Village lets you step inside the wooden stilt houses and witness the daily customs of the Xo Dang and Ba Na peoples.The Legend of Seven Lakes and Three Waterfalls weaves through Mang Den, lending it a quiet, mystical charm, like mist curling above the morning water.Number four.Local favorite Lam rice (Cơm Lam) is sticky rice steamed inside bamboo tubes, with a warm, nutty scent when opened.Hill chicken (Gà Nướng Mang Đen) – tender grilled meat infused with the smoky aroma of forest spices.Mang Den wine, or Rượu Cần, is a traditional rice wine sipped together from tall bamboo straws.Wild vegetable hotpot (lẩu rau rừng) is made with crisp, just-picked greens gathered from the forest.Five.Trekking and camping in Mang Den offer plenty to explore, with winding trails that slip past tall pine trees and the spray of hidden waterfalls.Cycling & motorbiking-quiet roads, the scent of pine in the air, and the open sky make every ride feel just right.Photography and sightseeing draw nature lovers with misty mornings, bright wildflowers, and the golden glow of sunset.Number six.To reach Mang Den by road, head out from Kon Tum City and follow National Highway 24 for about 50 kilometers-a drive of roughly an hour and a half past winding hills and cool pine-scented air.It’s about 250 kilometers from Da Nang, roughly a six-hour drive past rice fields and winding coastal roads.It’s about 110 kilometers from Pleiku Airport-roughly a three-hour drive past winding roads and green hills.If you’re flying, the closest airport is Pleiku (PXU) in Gia Lai Province, about a short drive away.Seven.The best time to visit is from October to March, when the air stays crisp, the skies are clear, and wildflowers splash color across the fields.From April to September, rain sweeps in, draping the hills in mist and sending waterfalls crashing at full force.Tucked away in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Mang Den offers travelers quiet trails, cool pine-scented air, and a rich blend of local culture.
