Explore lesser-known Central Highlands town Mang Den

By Son Thuy December 1, 2020 | 03:03 am PT

At an altitude of 1,200 m, Mang Den in Kon Tum Province is dubbed the ‘second Da Lat' for its vast valleys and pine forests.

A corner of Mang Den Town early in the morning. Around 60 kilometers from downtown Kon Tum, Mang Den town of Kon Plong District is not as popular as Sa Pa in the northern mountains, Ha Long in the north and Hoi An in the central region.

Early morning in Mang Den Town, around 60 km from downtown Kon Tum.

Coming to Mang Den, visitors can experience the feeling of swaying through mountainous passes and beautiful valleys on the mountain top or walk through roads with pine trees that makes Mang Den like the second Da Lat, a famous resort town in Lam Dong Province, known for its consistent cool climate and French heritages. Visitors could rent a motorbike at VND150,000 ($6.5) per day.

Visitors to Mang Den in Kon Plong District can explore the winding mountain passes, beautiful valleys and pine forests reminiscent of famous resort town Da Lat in Lam Dong Province, known for its consistent cool climate and French heritage.
Visitors could rent a motorbike at VND150,000 ($6.49) per day.

Kon Pring community-tourism cultural village in Dak Long Commune, is one of the four community-based cultural and tourism villages of Kon Plong District. The village is located along Highway 24 and is home to Ka Dong ethnic minority people. Community-based tourism, with locals directly partaking in tourism product and service offerings, is slowly taking shape in Vietnam.

Kon Pring in Dak Long Commune is one of four community-based cultural and tourism villages of Kon Plong District. The village is located along Highway 24 and is home to an ethnic Ka Dong minority.

Horse cart is a newly developed service in Mang Den. The price for one-hour ride around the town is VND100,000 per person, carrying up to 5 people.

Horse carriages are part of a newly developed service in Mang Den. The price for a one-hour ride around town is VND100,000 per person, each carriage capable of carrying up to five people.

Tourists also visit rice fields on horseback for VND500,000 per hour.

Tourists can also visit rice fields on horseback for VND500,000 ($22) per hour.

A waterfall in the deep forest around 12 km from downtown Mang Den remains pristine.

Another must-visit spot is Khanh Lam Pagoda built on a primitive hill at an altitude of 1,200 meters. From the foot of the hill, visitors step through more than 200 stone steps to the pagoda. This sacred place is a hidden gem under the luxuriant forest canopy, creating a peaceful and pure beauty that captivates people’s hearts.

Another must-visit spot is Khanh Lam Pagoda built on a primitive hill at an altitude of 1,200 meters. From the foot of the hill, visitors can reach the pagoda via 200 stone steps.
This sacred place is a hidden gem amid the luxuriant forest canopy, creating a peaceful and pure beauty that captivates people’s hearts.

To Mang Den, visitors also enjoy ga nuong com lam (grilled chicken with bamboo tube-rice), a famous specialty of the region. It was one of 50 must-try dishes according to Vietnam Guinness Book of Records.

Ga nuong com lam (grilled chicken with bamboo tube-rice) is a famous specialty of the region. It was one of 50 must-try dishes according to Vietnam Guinness Book of Records.

A couple pitch a tent to experience local lifestyle in Mang Den.

A couple pitch a tent to experience a night beneath the stars in Mang Den.

Photos by Ha Nguyen