While many head for the beach, the Central Highlands appeal to those who want to explore highland culture and nature — a land of red basalt earth, sweeping coffee plantations and the sound of gongs beside the stilt houses.
Dalat
Dalat is unlike any other Vietnamese city, with its cool climate and year-round mist. Built by the French, the town nestles among pine hills, old European-style villas and bright flower gardens. A cup of coffee beside the mist-covered Tuyen Lam Lake in the early morning is an ideal way to start the day and set aside the everyday rush.
Buon Ma Thuot
Heading deeper inland, you reach the roots of highland culture. You meet the Ede and M'nong communities around Lak Lake, or watch the Dray Nur waterfall tumbling in white spray. The Central Highlands has a strong, wild beauty, leaving travellers with genuine impressions — most distilled in each cup of the region's rich, dark coffee.