Visitors who came to Dak Nong Province will never forget the wild, high mountains with thick forests, natural lakes and waterfalls. They will be also attracted by a great treasure of the unique cultures of the ethnic groups there.
Gia Nghia Town, the capital of Dak Nong Province which is 230km from Ho Chi Minh city. Covered by green hills the town has fresh, cool weather all year round. Nearly, they will see the romantic beauty of the Co Tien and Lieng Nung Waterfalls and learn about the brocade-weaving craft of the ethnic people.
Dak Nong has many stunning waterfalls, of which 16 superb waterfalls have splashing water all year round. Some names of the waterfalls such as: Dray Sap, Gia Long, Trinh Nu, Co Tien, Lieng Nung, Len Gun… Each waterfall has individual beauty and contains a legendary story that fascinates every visitor.
The way to Dray Sap Waterfall winds through primeval forests which are thousands of years old with a large canopy of leaves. Seen from afar, the waterfall looks like a wall of water looming in a dim space and the sound of falling water can be heard from a distance. This beautiful landscape is formed by the Krong No and Krong A Na Rivers which are called Husband and Wife Rivers by the Ede and M’Nong ethnic people.
Nearly, the Dray Sap Waterfall is Gia Long Waterfall with the murmuring sound of falling water. It lies in a quiet place. The waterfall was named after King Gia Long of the Nguyen Dynasty (19th century) who once came to this place to rest and enjoy the scenery.
Gia Long Waterfall
Aside from a system of waterfalls, Dak Nong has many natural lakes in the mountains and forests, which together with such natural reserves as the Nam Nung and Ta Dung have created attractive eco-tourist routes. Ea Sno Lake covering over 80ha is an amazing natural landscape associated with the folk legends and customs of the local people. Visitors can take a boat ride to enjoy the beauty of green hills, or go downstream to the Dray Sap Waterfall or upstream to visit Choah and Bu Nor Hamlets, the native places of chiefs Guh Trang and No Trang Long who led the M’Nong ethnic people against the French invaders to protect their land.
Dak Nong Province is known as the homeland of epics, gongs and legendary stories. It is located in the Space of Gong Culture in the Central Highlands which has been recognized by UNESCO as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
During the festival season in Dak Nong, visitors will have a change to drink Can wine with the villagers, enjoy gong performances near a flickering camp-fire, listen to epic songs sung by elderly villagers and enjoy the delicious specialties of the mountainous area.
Drinking Can wine in festival
The natural resources and culture of Dak Nong area are like rough gems which are being polished and used. Hopefully, in the near future, the “pearl” of Dak Nong will make the Central Highland, more beautiful and affluent.
