Those who visit Dak Nong Province in Tay Nguyen (the Central Highlands) will never forget the wild, imposing, high mountains with thick forests, waterfalls and natural lakes. They will be also interested in a great treasure of the unique cultures of the ethnic groups there.
From Ho Chi Minh City on Highway 14 about 230km to the northwest, visitors will reach Gia Nghia Town, the capital of Dak Nong Province. Surrounded by green hills the town has fresh, cool weather all year round. Not far from the town 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.
Nature has endowed Dak Nong with many stunning waterfalls, of which 16 superb waterfalls have splashing water all year round. Some names of the waterfalls are: Dray Sap, Gia Long, Trinh Nu, Co Tien, Lieng Nung, Len Gun, Dieu Thanh, Huong Giang and Luu Ly. Besides their individual beauty, each waterfall 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. According to the Ede language, “Dray Sap†means “Smoke Waterfallâ€. 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.
Not far from the Dray Sap Waterfall is Gia Long Waterfall with the murmuring sound of falling water. It lies in a calm 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.
Apart 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. Here, 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. The province is situated 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. The M’Nong ethnic group in Dak Nong still preserves nearly 20 ancient gong musical pieces.
In Dak Nong during the festival season, visitors will have an opportunity 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.
According to the Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center of Dak Nong Province, the province is implementing 15 projects on eco-tourism and culture in combination with convalescence along the Serepok River and near the waterfalls and lakes.
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, full of sunshine and wind, more beautiful and affluent.