Buon Ma Thuot Buon Ma Thuot is home to several intriguing and untouched minority villages. Ethnic people from the M'nong and Edeh tribes live on the shores of Lake Lak, a large natural lake formed by converging rivers and streams. Visitors can visit the villages by canoe where they can ride elephants through tropical rain forests. This area also famous for its rich aromatic coffee. Distance: 350km from HCMC Access: by land / air Period: Dry season (November to May) Best time to visit: December to February - this is the time of blossoming wild flowers and colourful ethnic festivals. Tour: Saigon - Buon Ma Thuot - Nhatrang by land (5D4N) D'ray Sap Waterfall D’raysap is the name in the E De language which means the Fall of Mist. This meaning is derived from an observation that the powerful flow of the falling water is so fierce that when it hits the water surface below, the water foams. The continuous foaming of the water has made the falling water become a vaporous cloud of mist. The echo of the falling water is heard from a long distance throughout the year. Distance: 27km from Buon Ma Thuot. Access by car / bus: 45min
Yok Don National Park The largest of Vietnam's national parks, Yok Don encompasses about 60,000 hectares. It is home to nearly 70 animal species, 38 of which are listed as endangered in Indochina, and 17 of those species endangered worlwide. The park habitat accomodates some 200 different species of birds. There are about 17 ethnic groups here. The locals are mostly M'nong, a matrilineal tribe. Ethnographic Museum The museum is one good place to get some understanding of some 30 distinct ethnic groups residing in Dak Lak province. Displays at the museum feature traditional Mongtagnard dress, as well as agricultural implements, fishing gears, bows and arrows, weaving looms and musical instruments. There is a photo collection with explaination about the historical contact between the Mongtagnards and the majority Vietnamese. The Ethnographic Museum is in the former reception of the royal villas of King Bao Dai.
Location: in the town center Access by car / bus: 10min Tour: Half day tour Duration of visit: 45min Entrance fees: 20.000d Opening hours: 08.00 - 16.30 ( closed on Sundays ) Period: year round Local guide: not compulsory
