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Home >> Destinations :> Central Highlands Vietnam's Central Highlands region is also called Tay Nguyen in Vietnamese. It consists of five provinces: Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong, stretching along the high ridge of the Truong Son Mountain Range that is considered as a natural border between Vietnam and nearby Laos and Cambodia. The Central Highlands feature a beautiful nature with relatively untouched forests, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and spectacular scenery. With the increase in altitude, the highlands own a cool weather with the temperature arranging between 18°C and 25°C. The best time to visit the area is between November and January, when the landscape is lush, the rain minimal and the weather temperate. The wet season lasts from May to November with the heaviest rain falls in all of Vietnam. If you don’t mind torrential rains and mud, this is a good time of year to see the region at its lushest. The Central Highlands are homeland to a large number of ethnic minority groups including M'nong, Ede, Bannar, Jarai, Sedang, Bru and Taoi, who still live traditionally. The ethnic minorities of the Central Highlands in Vietnam have their own characteristics that are quite different to the Northern Highland groups. They don't wear colorful traditional dress but their life style still clings to tradition. For example, many of them celebrate harvest time or auspicious occasions with the ritual slaughtering of a buffalo, a frenetic event soaked in local whiskey and accompanied by drumming and wild dance. Music plays an important role in all of ceremonies. Their musical traditions are elaborate, with gongs, drums, and bamboo flute. Many hilltribe groups are matrilineal, where names and even fortunes are passed from generation to generation, from mother to child. Funeral ceremonies vary, but all of the Central Highland groups practice elaborate graveside rights, where bodies are interred in elaborate spirit houses decorated with ceremonial carvings and paintings and later feted and celebrated to the funeral pyre or grave. The most developed and famous place in the region is Dalat. Climatologists call Dalat the “City of Eternal Spring” and its nicknam is the "Paris of the East". Dalat is famous for its mild climate. The average temperature is 17°C and does not exceed 25°C in the hottest season. The city enjoys the sun all year round. After years of government enforced travel restriction, the Central Highlands region has slowly opened up to tourists. Tourism infrastrure in the area is still limited. Both Buon Ma Thuot and Pleiku have small local airports with flights connecting with Ho Chi Minh City and Danang. The international hotels are only available in Dalat – the rest are mini hotels at local standard or homestay of Nha Rong. Contrasting to the poverty, people in the region are very friendly with a gentle, relaxed lifestyle, and are remarkably welcoming and hospitable. The Central Highlands region is a great destination for those who enjoy getting off the common tourist trail. It'll take you around one week to see the basics and two weeks to explore the area in details. Note: Travelling in the area will require you to use a guide when visiting the hinterlands but for most places you'll be fine just on your own.
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