Dak Lak Province: Central Highlands Coffee and Culture
Dak Lak province sits in Vietnam's Central Highlands, a landscape of plateaus, freshwater lakes, and coffee plantations anchored by the ethnic minority communities that call it home.
Dak Lak province sits in Vietnam's Central Highlands, a landscape of plateaus, freshwater lakes, and coffee plantations anchored by the ethnic minority communities that call it home. The province borders Gia Lai to the north, Khanh Hoa to the east, Lam Dong to the south, and Mondulkiri province in Cambodia to the west. Home to the Rade, Jarai, and Mnong peoples, it's one of Vietnam's most ethnically diverse regions.
What the Name Means
The name "Dak Lak" comes from the Mnong language, a Mon-Khmer tongue spoken by indigenous groups here. "Dak" translates to "water" or "lake," while "Lak" refers to the province's largest freshwater lake—so the name literally means "Lak Lake." The official Vietnamese spelling preserves the long "a" sounds of the original Mnong pronunciation. French colonial texts used "Darlac," and you'll still see variant spellings like "Daklak" on older signs and guesthouses.
The Long History
The region was part of the Kingdom of Champa until the 15th century, when Vietnamese expansion pushed south and absorbed it. By 1540, Vietnamese authorities had appointed nobles to settle ethnic Vietnamese in the area and establish military outposts. During the French colonial period, plantations flourished—coffee, rubber, and other cash crops became the economic backbone—though French rule also sparked resistance from the local tribes.
Administrative boundaries shifted repeatedly. Dak Lak was carved out as its own province in 1904, merged back into Kon Tum in 1913, re-established in 1923, and reshaped multiple times through the mid-20th century. In 1976, after national reunification, Dak Lak and Quang Duc merged into a single province. In 2003, the province was split again, creating the separate Dak Nong province to the south.
Photo by Nhi Huynh on Pexels
Geography and Attractions
The province occupies the Dak Lak Plateau, sitting about 600 meters above sea level. About 60 kilometers south of Buon Ma Thuot (the provincial capital) lies Lak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the region. Overlooking the water stands the former summer retreat of Emperor Bao Dai, now converted into a hotel—a striking blend of colonial architecture and mountain views.
Jun Village sits on the lakeshore, home to the Jun people. Beyond traditional tourism, the villagers have developed a distinctive fishing practice: they attach metal rods to a car battery, run the current through the water to stun fish, then collect and tank them. It's unconventional and worth watching if you're in the area.
Elephant rides through the village and across the lake are a popular draw for visitors, though consider the welfare of the animals and the ethics of the operation before booking.
Photo by Vy Van Bui on Pexels
Coffee, Rubber, and the Economy
Dak Lak is Vietnam's coffee heartland. The plateau's elevation and soil chemistry produce some of the country's most prized robusta beans. Beyond coffee, rubber plantations and fruit orchards dominate the rural landscape. The province has also invested in hydroelectric power generation to diversify its economic base.
Getting There
Two airports serve the region: Buon Ma Thuot Airport and Tuy Hoa Airport, both offering daily domestic flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Pacific Airlines, and Bamboo Airways all operate routes in and out of the province, making it accessible for a long weekend or extended stay in the highlands.
Going to Vietnam? Eat and travel smarter.
Monthly: new dishes, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and itineraries — straight to your inbox. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Join 0 expats. (We just launched.)
More from buon-ma-thuot
Other articles covering this city.
5 Days in the Central Highlands: Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, Kon Tum
Coffee plantations, ethnic minority villages, and colonial-era towns in Vietnam's cooler interior. A quieter route through Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum provinces.
Buon Ma Thuot: Vietnam's Coffee Capital in the Central Highlands
Buon Ma Thuot sits 536 meters up in Dak Lak Province, the heart of Vietnam's coffee belt. With 434,000 people and over 200,000 hectares of coffee farms, it's where the country's coffee story happens — and where you can taste it straight from the source.
Yok Don National Park: Central Highlands Wildlife and Trekking Guide
Located 40 km west of Buon Ma Thuot, Yok Don protects over 1,155 square kilometers of lowland forest and is home to endangered tigers, leopards, wild elephants, and gaur. Dry season trekking and wildlife spotting with local guides.
More from Central Vietnam
Other articles covering the same region.
Quang Binh Province: Karst Mountains and Caves in Central Vietnam
Quang Binh, on Vietnam's North Central Coast, is known for limestone karst peaks, river deltas, and the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The province merged with Quang Tri in 2025, but remains a destination for cave exploration and coastal travel.
Phu Yen Province: Central Coast Beaches and Lagoons
Phu Yen sits on Vietnam's South Central Coast between mountain passes and a fertile plain. Visit for lagoons, fishing villages, and quiet beaches far from the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City circuit.
Ca phe muoi: Vietnam's salt coffee, where it came from and why it works
Salt in coffee sounds wrong until you try it. Hue's signature brew—robusta, condensed milk, and a pinch of salt—cuts bitterness and tastes better than it has any right to.
More in Destinations
More articles from the same category.
The Ha Giang Loop: A Complete 4-Day Motorbike Adventure Guide
Northern Vietnam's most spectacular ride — limestone karsts, mountain passes, and Hmong villages. Route, costs, where to sleep, and what nobody warns you about.
Haiphong: Gateway Port City in Northern Vietnam
Haiphong is Vietnam's third-largest city and the north's main port. A humid subtropical coastal gateway at the mouth of the Cam River, it's an industrial and trade hub—but also a realistic stop for travelers interested in Vietnamese shipping culture and seafood.
Dong Thap Province: Mekong Delta Rice Bowl and Flower Village
Dong Thap is a flat, fertile province in Vietnam's Mekong Delta known for rice paddies, the spectacular Sa Dec flower village, and the waterways that define life here. With 4+ million residents and rich agricultural heritage, it's a working-landscape destination for those curious about how the delta actually functions.
Ba Vi National Park: Mountain Hike and Temple Near Hanoi
Ba Vi National Park sits 48km west of Hanoi, offering cloud-shrouded peaks, ancient volcanic geology, and the Ho Chi Minh Temple at 1,296m. A half-day or full-day escape from the city.
Soc Trang Province: Mekong Delta Khmer Culture and Pagodas
Soc Trang, in the Mekong Delta's heart, blends Vietnamese and Khmer heritage. Home to striking pagodas and river life, it's a quieter gateway to the region's spiritual landscape and local rhythms.
Thai Binh: Water Puppets, Hat Cheo, and the Red River Delta
Thai Binh's flat delta landscape, 52 km coastline, and reputation as birthplace of water puppetry and hat cheo opera make it a cultural waypoint between Hanoi and Hai Phong. Still largely undiscovered by international tourists.