Nhi Duong
30 thg 9, 2021
Mang Den appears as a ‘dupe version’ of Da Lat — a well-known tourist destination — but still possesses its raw and human-free footprints.
How to go?
Mang Den is a village of Kon Tum province located in the Central Highlands and is 604,7 kilometers far from Saigon. Similar to Dalat whose climate remains cool most of the time, Mang Den experiences the same yet less harsh at night than Dalat. Fortunately, Mang Den has yet to be exploited for tourism so its natural landscapes are mostly untouched.
The ideal period to travel to Mang Den is from May to December. Rice flowers in the golden terraced fields, while cherry blossoms bloom all across Mang Den at this time of year. Isn't this a scenario worth a visit?
From Saigon, there are now 2 available routes for you to choose from. If you want to explore and take time to enjoy the sceneries on both sides of the roads, you can use your motorbike or car. Go along Highway 14 across several provinces such as Bình Phước, Đắk Nông, and Buôn Ma Thuột before reaching Kon Tum.
If you choose airplane to travel, please bear in mind that Kon Tum has yet had an airport, however, you can arrive at Gia Lai’s airport and then move to Kon Tum by bus or serviced cars… It only takes about 40km and the expenditure on flying is quite economical.
If you depart from Saigon or Da Nang, you can also take a sleeper bus to Kon Tum. The advantage of this means is that it is low-cost, high-frequency, and more convenient than going by plane. With a running time of about 14 hours, you can arrange your schedule to go from the afternoon, spend a night on the bus, and welcome the dawn right after you arrive at Kon Tum.
When you approach Kon Tum, it’s much easier to go to Mang Den with a variety of vehicles offered for you such as renting a bike or taking a bus. However, there is 1 bus route connecting Kon Tum center to Mang Den so be punctual if you don’t want to waste a day in the city.
Where to visit?
1. Dak Ke Lake and the Waterfall at Dak Ke
Walking in Dak Ke Lake is a must-do when visiting Mang Den. The lake has a huge area and is placed in the legend of Mang Den's 7 lakes and 3 waterfalls. This is a fantastic area to loosen up in the cool and cozy weather after a long walk around the lake.
In addition, Dak Ke Waterfall is a place to refresh your mind —a beautiful and pure waterfall deep in the mountains. You may explore the mountains by going on a walking tour and if you are exhausted, take a break, start camping anywhere, and eat some snacks before continuing. The key thing is that this environment will calm my heart so you don’t need to rush.
2. Pine woodland of Mang Den
Mang Den pine forest is a popular ecotourism destination for swinging in Mang Den. This ancient woodland is around 10 kilometers from Kon Plong's center. Pine hills have been planted for a long time over a large plain, towering and shadowing.
Mang Den pine forest includes a greater variety of plant species, including Po mu pine, orchid, cinnamon, si flower, and chamois and pheasant. In addition to enjoying nature, this will be an excellent location for you to camp, unwind, and recharge your ‘battery’ after a long day of tiredness and strain. Unlike Dalat, pine forests Mang Den mostly remain primitive from ancient to now.
3. Community Cultural Tourism Village, Kon Bring
The Kon Bring Community Tourism Cultural Village is a must-see when visiting Mang Den. This can be called a Mang Den cultural "specialty." The village is located along National Highway 24, 3 kilometers east of the district headquarters, and is mostly populated by Ka Dong people.
This location will provide you with a deeper understanding of the famed Central Highlands ethnic community culture. You can choose to gather beneath the Rong house's roof and sip some Can wine yeast while listening to fascinating stories with powerful ethnic and genuine affection singing of highland girls. It would be an unforgettable experience in Mang Den.
What to eat?
1. Mang Den Roasted Pig
Because the pig is tamed and nurtured with a rich and natural food supply of the mountains, the meat is solid and nutritional. People here still roast pigs over a charcoal fire, so it is incredibly flavorful and crispy.
2. Sturgeon Mang Den
The sturgeon here is sweeter than in other locations, maybe because of the fresh environment, which is chilly all year. Guests can request grilled foods, hotpot, or whatever fits their tastes.
3. Mang Den grilled chicken
This meal is included in the Guinness Book of Vietnam Records' list of 50 delectable dishes to taste. The flesh is seasoned with spices obtained from several types of roots, leaves, honey, and Kon Tum forest trees, giving the grilled chicken a distinct flavor. When serving, season with salt and pepper or big granulated salt and top with spicy chili peppers or basil leaves (a kind of sweet forest leaf with a greasy taste).
We hope that our suggestion will be helpful for your trip to Mang Den. Don't forget to clean up before you leave to preserve the landscapes.