One of the lesser known places we recommend, located in the Centre Highlands, is Mang Den, Kon Tum. An area surrounded in pine forests with natural beauty and a cooler climate. There are ricefields, waterfalls, cloud hunting, mountain passes, and more.

Often overlooked or not known about by tourists, it is easily missed but should not be if you have the time to visit this area. It is well worth it especially during the summer months when it is a great escape from the heat, being much cooler than the surrounding area. Although the summer months are also the rainy season here. During the winter although not as cold as the north it is again cooler than the surrounding area but the winter is also dry so a good time of year to visit.

Getting to Mang Den with Motorbike

Mang Den is on 2 of our north to south routes, the Mountains and Beaches Route, and the Lesser Known Mountain and Beaches Route. On both of these Kon Tum is also a stop and is very close by on the QL24 at just over 50km away. But a longer more scenic route looping up and over on the DT677 taking in a waterfall and dam on the way. 

One of the routes heads to the coast at Quy Nhon, it is 200km away so a full day’s ride. The north to south section is a lovely quiet road via DT roads in the countryside. As you approach Quy Nhon it becomes the QL19 which is unfortunately much busier and not as nice. 

If following the Less Known route then north of Mang Den is either Tra My or Dak Drinh Lodge. Both of these can be found via nice, quiet DT or QL roads through more remote countryside roads. This is a particularly nice mountain pass at Vi O Lac.

Where to Stay

As the town is quite small, most of the accommodation options are close together in the town. The other area with some homestays is to the west of town near the waterfall and rice fields. There are less here but still a few options.

While in town you have a huge range in prices from 200k – 2mi per night, with the quality of the homestay and the views from them also varying with the price. But on the whole the accommodation here is very nice for the price, with even the cheaper options being good quality and have a similar design and feel.

The homestays by the rice fields and waterfall provide less options, but with nice views and a focus on the countryside. Offering a very peaceful and relaxing stay. 

Kon Pring

A ethnic minority village of the Mơ Nâm people who make up 100% of the village population. Here you can see the traditional stilted houses still being used as well as the Nha Rong, community houses, in the centre of the village. 

As the village is a tourist village there are traditional rice wine, rượu cần, as well as some traditional food, which you can buy here. Even some pottery which you can make yourself. 

Just south of the village is a small suspension bridge. This is just for walking, and even that is for the brave. But it is a sight to see as it is just made from wood and steel cables, sometimes the wood is even broken. Great for a photo and worth the ride if you visit the village.   

Zipline & Sky Walk

Located in town at the Mang Den Treehouse Resort is a zipline, sky walk and forest trek. Offering unique treehouse luxury accommodation in the forest on the edge of town. Although great accommodation it does come at a price so will not be the right choice for most bikers. 

But you can come here just for the zipline, although there is a weight limit of 75kg which will be an issue for many foreigners. Alternatively the skywalk is accessible for everyone, so long as you can cope with heights. There are also some forest treks available. 

The activities are just 250k – 300k each or there are combos available. There is also a 60k entrance fee, this includes a drink.

Pa Sy Waterfall

The Pa Sy Waterfall is part of the Pa Sy Ecotourist Area. Here as well as the waterfall you can see the traditional community houses, traditional workshops and souvenirs and wooden statues, crafted from local artisans. 

The waterfall is the focal point of the area, this is the most famous and untouched waterfall in Mang Den. A 40m fall into a pool below. There is no swimming here, just a viewpoint to enjoy the sight. Best seen in the dry season as it is easier to access but during the rainy season the area is greener and the flow of water will be higher. 

Kon Tu Rang Rice Terrace

The rice terraces in Kon Tu Rang showcase the traditional farming techniques of the local ethnic people here. Instead of the more common image most people have of the mountainous rice terraces of Sapa or Mu Cang Chai, here they are more gentle sweeping rice terraces with the mountains and hills as a backdrop. 

To access the rice terrace area is a small suspension bridge. This can take small bikes just generally people walk across this. On the other side are just the rice terraces so you don’t need the bike for this. The bridge itself is worth the trip to see. 

Ngoc Le Mountain Trek

You can trek to the peak of Ngoc Le which is about 5km, taking 4 hours. It is generally considered quite challenging to do and it is very common to camp at the peak. The main benefit for doing this is that you can do the best cloud hunting in the early hours. 

A tour to do the trek with the camping can be arranged from tour operators in Mang Den town so that you have the camping, guide and permissions arranged for you. 

Summary

Although many people have not heard of Mang Den before, it is well worth visiting for the cooler temperatures, beautiful rice fields, waterfall and forests. A hidden gem in the centre highlands of Vietnam where few foreigners get to explore. 

Given the close proximity of Kon Tum it is easy to just have 1 night in Mang Den and still see many of the sights on offer. But if you want a relaxing and slow paced day on the way there this is a perfect location for us. 

Related Routes

For those heading between HCCM and Hoi An or Hanoi then Mang Den can also be included with the routes here.