Buon Me Thuat Overview

One of the largest towns in the Central Highlands, Buon Ma Thuot offers easy access to the area's many natural attractions, including Yok Don National Park and its rare wildlife, idyllic Lak Lake, several spectacular waterfalls, as well as numerous Ede and M'nong hill tribe villages.
Like most places in the Central Highlands, Buon Ma Thuot saw some heavy fighting during the Vietnam war, but these days, it's all about the coffee. With ideal soil and climate conditions, coffee from Buon Ma Thuot is considered by many to be the best in the country.

Buon Me Thuat Places to See

While the town of Buon Ma Thuot itself offers little in terms of sights, it is a good base for excursions to the many outdoor attractions in the surrounding area.

Yok Don national park (Cuc Phuong national Park)

Numerous rare animals, including elephants, leopards, and tigers, as well as other endangered species, and birds roam the forests of Vietnam's biggest nature preserve. It is also home to various ethnic hill tribes, chiefly the matrilineal Ede and M'nong, who are famous for capturing and domesticating wild elephants.

Ban Don Village

Located on the edge of Yok Don National Park, this hill tribe village is a pleasant place to see traditional tribal architecture, and to learn more about the customs involved in the capture and domestication of wild elephants.
Dray Sap, Dray Nur and Gia Long Waterfalls
These stunning waterfalls can easily be visited on day trips. If you are planning on only visiting one of them, make sure to see Dray Sap as it is located in a magnificent rainforest.

Lak Lake

Set among bright green rice fields and forested hills, Lak Lake is a beautiful and idyllic place to sample the slow paced rural life style. Don't miss a visit to June village, a small Ede hill tribe community on the shores of the lake, and its distinctive thatched roof longhouses built on stilts.

Buon Me Thuat Activities

Take an Elephant Ride in Yok Don National Park
Head to Ban Don Village and hire a guide to take you into the national park across the Serepok River on the back of an elephant. The elephants are extremely gentle and careful and they love wading through the cool waters of the river. Although extremely skilled in capturing wild elephants, the local M'nong hunters do not harm, kill, or injure the animals. They are strictly used for domestic purposes.

Visit the Dak Lak Province Museum's Ethnographic Exhibit
Learn more about the local hill tribes' history, culture, and customs. Cool off at Dak Lak Water park

Buon Me Thuat Food and Shopping

Don't leave town without having sampled the best coffee in Vietnam! Take your coffee like the locals do - extra strong, extra sweet and smooth with lots of condensed milk, and over ice. Visit one of the many coffee shops or small restaurants in town, and ask for ca phe sua da. You can buy locally grown coffee all over town, either ground or as whole beans. Prices are much cheaper than elsewhere in the country, especially Saigon and Hanoi.

Buon Me Thuat Weather

Tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons. Rainy season lasts from May to October, and dry season lasts from November to April. Average annual temperature is 24C/75F.