Ta Dung Lake
Hồ Tà Đùng
A reservoir of 30-plus forested islands between misty hills. Stay at a lakeside camp, take a boat at sunrise and watch the clouds lift off the water.
Dak Nong Geopark
Đắk Nông
Volcanoes, lava-tube caves and a lake dotted with green islands.
- Region
- Central · Central Highlands
- Province
- Lam Dong
- Best weather
- November–April
- In this guide
- 5 places · 7 dishes
Overview
The former province of Dak Nong (now part of Lam Dong) sits on the basalt plateau of the Central Highlands. Ancient volcanoes left behind crater cones, waterfalls and one of the longest systems of lava-tube caves in Southeast Asia, and in 2020 the area became Vietnam's third UNESCO Global Geopark.
Its signature view is Ta Dung Lake, a reservoir whose drowned hills form dozens of green islands — often called the "Ha Long Bay of the Central Highlands". The region is also home to the M'Nong, Ma and other indigenous groups, whose gong music is part of UNESCO-listed Central Highlands gong culture.
Visit in the dry season, from November to April. The rainy season (May–October) brings swollen waterfalls but muddy roads.
Where to go
Lava-tube caves
Hang động núi lửa Krông Nô
Caves formed by flowing lava in Krong No district, among the longest volcanic cave systems in Southeast Asia. Visits are with a local guide.
Nam Kar Volcano
Núi lửa Băng Mo
One of several extinct volcanic cones in the geopark, its slopes now covered in grass and coffee farms.
Nam Nung Nature Reserve
Khu bảo tồn Nam Nung
Protected highland forest with trekking trails, streams and rich birdlife.
Truot Waterfall
Thác Trượt
A "sliding" waterfall where the water runs down smooth, sloping rock — one of many falls on the Serepok and its tributaries.
Experiences
M'Nong gong performance
Cồng chiêng M'Nông
The M'Nong are among the oldest peoples of the Central Highlands. Gong ensembles accompany festivals and rituals and are part of UNESCO-listed Central Highlands gong culture.
Ma people's friendship ceremony
Lễ kết nghĩa người Mạ
A Ma ceremony in which two communities or families pledge friendship, with rice wine, gongs and a shared feast.
What to eat
Local specialties worth seeking out in Dak Nong Geopark.
Forest leaf hotpot
Lẩu lá rừng
A hotpot served with a huge platter of wild leaves and greens from the highland forests, each with its own bitter, sour or peppery note.
Bamboo-tube rice
Cơm lam
Sticky rice cooked inside bamboo tubes over an open fire, peeled and eaten with sesame salt or grilled meat.
Can rice wine
Rượu cần
Fermented rice wine drunk communally from a jar through long bamboo straws — a must at any highland gathering.
Dak Mil durian
Sầu riêng Đắk Mil
Rich, creamy durian from the basalt soils of Dak Mil, in season around August–September.
Dak Mil avocado
Bơ Đắk Mil
Large, buttery avocados — try them as a sweet avocado smoothie, the Vietnamese way.
Dak Gan mango
Xoài Đắk Gằn
Sweet, fragrant mangoes from the highland orchards of Dak Gan.
Highland pepper
Hồ tiêu Đắk Nông
The Central Highlands produce much of the world's black pepper. Buy a bag direct from a farm.
When to go
The most comfortable months for sightseeing in Dak Nong Geopark are usually November–April.
Hover a month for details. Compare with other places on the season calendar.
Vietnam season calendar arrow_forwardDaily temperature range (°C)
15°20°25°30°35°
Rainfall per month (mm)
0100200300400
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Score
- Great
- Good
- Fair
- Wet / extreme
chevron_right Show as table
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Wet days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28.3 | 17.2 | 17 | 3 | Great |
| February | 30.4 | 17.3 | 14 | 3 | Great |
| March | 32.4 | 18.6 | 27 | 6 | Great |
| April | 32.1 | 20.2 | 75 | 14 | Great |
| May | 30.4 | 21.1 | 222 | 26 | Good |
| June | 28.4 | 20.8 | 257 | 29 | Fair |
| July | 27.5 | 20.7 | 350 | 31 | Fair |
| August | 27.9 | 20.8 | 300 | 30 | Fair |
| September | 27.7 | 20.3 | 343 | 29 | Fair |
| October | 27.9 | 19.8 | 257 | 25 | Fair |
| November | 27.7 | 19.3 | 147 | 14 | Great |
| December | 26.7 | 18.3 | 32 | 6 | Great |
Averages for 2016-2025 from Open-Meteo (ERA5 reanalysis, CC BY 4.0). Model data can overstate light drizzle; treat wet-day counts as a guide. How the score works.
Getting there
Gia Nghia, the main town, is around 230 km from Ho Chi Minh City (5–6 hours by road) and about 120 km from Buon Ma Thuot. Ta Dung Lake is a further 40 km from Gia Nghia.
Getting around Vietnam arrow_forwardPlan your stay in Dak Nong Geopark
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