Buon Ma Thuot lies about 190 km inland from Nha Trang and around 200km north of Dalat. A large city in a coffee plantation area, it’s the provincial capital of Dak Lak province however its main interest for visitors are the natural surroundings and the thirty or so ethnic groups within the area. Dak Lak is warmer and more

Humid than Dalat, with a rainy season from April to November.  

The town itself is nondescript apart from the Kha Doan Pagoda, an unusual mixture of the features of an Ede long house with a roof designed in accordance with Hue imperial architecture. It was constructed to commemorate the wife of Emperor Khai Dinh - her son was Emperor Bao Dai, the final of the dynasty. 

Most of Buon Ma Thuot’s sights lie properly away from the town. They include the excellent Gia Long and Dray Nur waterfalls, each little visited. Gia Lengthy is adjoining to ancient forest - Emperor Bao Dai used to hunt there.  

The forest is spectacular - enormous timber, vines, and a profusion of insects. Close by is a pure swimming pool, an almost rectangular basin with a sandy bottom.  

On the other financial institution are the remains of a bridge and lake constructed by Bao Dai, now being slowly strangled by the luxurious vegetation.  

Dray Nur is a complete contrast. Set in dry, arid land, its waters thunder over black volcanic rock. Its comparatively barren surroundings enhance the affect of the falls - standing at the bottom among the swirling mist, the noise is deafening. 

Serene Lak Lake gives travel in a dugout canoe across the lake to trip working elephants and meets their mahouts by ethnic villages, some with home keep facilities. 

About 13 miles from the town there is a settlement of Ede people who live in distinctive lengthy houses on stilts. It is a good starting point for a hike through Nam Kha Forest.  

Further away to the northwest is Yok Don, Vietnam’s largest national park. A number of ethnic teams live within it, notably the M’nong people who historically specialized in looking and domesticating the wild elephants that roamed within the area.  

Nevertheless, the consequences of US bombing and defoliation, together with lack of habitat from agricultural encroachment have drastically reduced their numbers. The journey to Yok Don is quite taxing, but the forests are striking and there are many species of flora and fauna, some very rare.  

Though depleted, there are nonetheless lots left, each wild and domesticated. Elephant riding in Yok Don is the actual McCoy quite than the gentler tourist model at Lak Lake. Through the dry season, two-day safari-style forays into the deep forest might be arranged. Homestays are possible, and there’s a couple of bedrooms available in the park’s headquarters - both approach, don’t count on something apart from the most basic accommodation.