Best things to do in Kon Tum, Vietnam

Posted on April 12, 2022 | Julie J. |

Last Updated on December 11, 2023

As you well know, if you have already been to Vietnam, the country is pretty well developed, even in the countryside. You will mostly see big cities, well-maintained roads, and technology everywhere. Vietnam still has a culture of its own, but overall, the way of life is quite similar to ours.

So if you’re looking for a more authentic experience, skip the big cities and head directly to Kon Tum. In the middle of the mountains, Kon Tum is perfect for those you want to escape the city rush (and heat) and enjoy nature while learning about the other side of Vietnam: its ethnic minorities.

Read on to discover all of the best things to do in Kon Tum, Vietnam.

Travel tip – Before any international trip, make sure to get travel insurance and check visa requirements.

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Ethnic minorities in South and Central Vietnam

Less touristy than Sapa, Kon Tum Province is well known to be the home of several ethnic minorities. Located in the mountainous area in central Vietnam, many tourists skip this part and go directly from Da Lat to Hoi An (or the other way around), and they’re missing on a great experience.

After living for a long time isolated from the outside world and under strict control from the government, Kon Tum is opening up to tourism. Until a couple of years ago, you needed a permit to enter most villages. Now its people are thrilled to meet with foreigners, and you will be welcomed with open arms if you decide to do a homestay there.

In Kon Tum, you will meet with Bahnar, Sedang and Giarai, and the smallest ethnicity in Vietnam: the Romam (less than 200 people).

Ethnic minorities in Vietnam live in mountainous areas and, before the French colonization in the 19^th century, had little to no contact with Vietnamese people. The French colons opened up this area by developing agriculture, mostly coffee, tea, and rubber. Some protests from the villagers there arose, but they were dealt with quickly.

After the Independence from the French in the 50s, the Saigon administration adopted a politic of direct control over the area and seized ancestral lands, resulting in tensions and resentment.

Later on, during the Vietnam war, they tried to implement more independence for the Highlanders, but the Strategic Hamlet Program in the 60s only made things worse by forcing them to relocate “for their protection” to more secure locations. They also put into place a series of programs aimed at improving road access, health, education, access to electricity…

In 1964, some highlanders leaders created the Front Unifié pour la Lutte des Races Opprimées or FULCRO (United Front for the Liberation of Oppressed Race), it quickly became a guerrilla group fighting for more independence.

After the reunification in 1975, the central highland kept developing, but the improvements were unequal in some areas. To deal with overcrowding in the lowland cities, ethnic Vietnamese were sent to settle in the highlands, gaining access to land and as a majority (52% of Viet in the central highlands in 1980), to political power. 200 000 Highlanders have been killed since then, and thousands more have fled to neighboring countries.

In the meanwhile, FULCRO kept fighting for their rights, considered as terrorists, they surrendered to the UN peacekeeper in 1992. Most of its leaders were imprisoned, and the group was dismantled. But it didn’t end the protests, in 2001 and 2004 protests from thousands of Highlanders lead to many deaths and a total lockdown of the area. Forced sterilization, forced marriage with Viet, killing and torturing, stealing of land, religious repression… were some of the crimes attributed to Vietnam regarding the ethnic minorities during those protests.

Since then, with the Vietnamese government being watched by the international community, the situation seemed to have improved. Foreigners are now allowed in the central highland, human rights violations seemed to have stopped, and the area keeps developing.

But don’t worry, everything is safe, there haven’t been any signs of unrest since 2004 and as I said people are really friendly.

Keep on reading for the best things to do in Kon Tum.

How to get to Kon Tum

Daily buses depart from Danang, Dalat, Ho Chi Minh, and cities around Kon Tum. There is no public transportation to most villages. You’ll need to rent a car/motorbike or hire a cab for the day. You can also hitchhike.

Where to stay in Kon Tum

The city of Kon Tum in itself has not much to offer, but it’s a central location to explore the villages, and you can visit some colonial buildings. Having a pretty big university, the population is pretty young, and you’ll find lots of small, nice cafes scattered around town.

The best option would be to arrange a homestay in one of the villages. Usually, everything is included (food and accommodation) and you can join them in their daily activities if you ask. You can check out the Kontum Home Sweet Homestay in the Dakbla Commune or the Lang Ho Homestay.

If you want something more comfortable, you can check out the Indochine Hotel.

The Couchsurfing community is pretty active here, most members are students from south and central Vietnam studying there.

View from the Homestay in Kon Ktu Village

Best things to do in Kon Tum

Discover the villages

You can rent a motorbike in Kon Tum and drive around the area. The villagers are pretty welcoming, and you shouldn’t need a guide. Access to some of the villages used to be restricted. So if you want to go on your own, ask about it at your hotel first.

There are a lot of hiking opportunities, just exit the main road, and you’ll always find a nice path.

Don’t miss the communal stilt houses, with a huge roof. They are used for celebrations, town meetings, sometimes for school…

Some of the best villages to visit around Kon Tum include:

Kon Harachot
Kon Tum Konam
Kon Tum Kopong
Plei Thongia
Kon Hongo
Kon Kotu

If you want to visit the village with a guide and/or go trekking, you can get more information at the Tourist Center in Kon Tum.

Visit the colonial buildings in Kon Tum City

Among the best things to do in Kon Tum is visiting its colonial buildings. The must-sees are the wooden church and the bishop’s house. Behind it is an orphanage, they always welcome visitors if you want to stop by.

Visit the Kon Tum Museum

The Kon Tum Museum features artifacts from the area and showcases the local ethnic culture and history. Everything is translated into English.

It’s the perfect place to start your trip in Kon Tum to get a better understanding of the different cultures and local traditions in the region.

Hike in Chu Mom Ray National Park

Named after the highest peak in the region, Chu Mom Ray National Park is a paradise on earth for nature lovers. Hike through lush jungle, trying to spot wildlife such as elephants, tigers, leopards, jungle cats, and red-shanked doucs, and take a dip in one of the park’s many hot springs.

The best way to visit the park is to plan a hiking tour with a local guide, you can also arrange for transportation from Kon Tum.

Take a day trip to Mang Den

Only an hour away from Kon Tum is the beautiful town of Mang Den. There you can easily visit several waterfalls such as Pa Sy Waterfall, Dak Pne Waterfall, or Dak Ke Waterfall (a bit harder to reach but quieter).

Make sure to take a stroll through Vuon Tuong, a park featuring over 100 wooden sculptures crafted by several local artists.

For a scenic location, check out Dak Ke Lake where you can rent a paddle boat and go around the lake.

If you want to learn more about ethnic minorities in Vietnam and want to meet with different ethnicity, consider going to Ha Giang, in the North.

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