BUON ME THUOT

Buon Me Thuot is the capital town of Dak Lak province and the most densely populated area in the central highlands. Many mountains, hills, lakes, streams and waterfalls grace the richly forested landscape of this region. Buon Me Thuot used to be the hunting ground and an important base of the American during the war. Nowadays the area is well-known for its flora and fauna, coffee here is excellent. The land is home to many ethnic minorities. Different groups like the Bahnar, Ede, M’nong and the Rhade reside here, they wear traditional costumes and live in stilt-houses of different styles into hamlets or villages. Taking part in colourful festivals with traditional ethnic music and dances, tasting the home brewed rice wine through long bamboo straws, or riding an elephant for an excursion through the forests and lake are unforgetable experiences.

 

Buon Don (Don Hamlet)

Buon Don is a hamlet in the E Sap district, located near the Serepok River, about 45 km southeast of Buon Me Thuot. The hamlet is home to several minorities, but chiefly the M’nong. Buon Don has been famous for its elephant hunters and tamers. The M’nong hunt wild elephants using domestic elephants. The best time to visit this place is during the spectacular Elephant Race Festival taking place in spring. Visitors to the village are usually invited by the chief and village elders to join them in a circle around a large ceramic jar and partake of some home brewed rice wine through long bamboo straws. In Buon Don you may be treated to a traditional musical performance accompanied by dancing.