MANG DEN-Attractive destination in Central Highlands

 MANG DEN - The second Da Lat of the Central Highlands

Mang Den town sits on a plateau in the Central Highland region of Viet Nam. At an altitude of 1,200 meters, Mang Den is an idyllic setting, accessible through a snaky mountain pass, surrounded by pine-laden forests.

Ethnic minority groups have dwelled in Mang Den for ages, including the Mo Nam, Ca Dong, Xe Dang, and Hre. Each group self-sustains through farming, gardening, hunting, and raising cattle. The ethnic people of Mang Den are welcoming.  Visitors may witness traditional ceremonies. Perhaps you’ll be invited to join in drinking homemade wine through a long bamboo straw while singing and dancing to gongs, drums, flutes, and assorted string instruments. 

Mang Den’s nature is as alluring as its people. For nature enthusiasts, Mang Den offers a bounty. There are seven lakes, three waterfalls, forests, plantations, farms, and a sprawling mountain pagoda. Even getting to Mang Den is a bit of an adventure.

The closest airport to Mang Den is in the city of Pleiku (roughly 100 km away). There are plenty of buses, and cabs, or you can hop on a motorbike taxi for a breezy excursion. You also might consider renting a motorbike.

Pa Sy Waterfall

This is the largest waterfall of Mang Den land, made up of 3 largest streams in the region, located at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level. Pa Sy Waterfall is not as majestic and noisy as other famous beautiful waterfalls in the Central Highlands, but gentle with a white stream. 

On the way to the waterfall, visitors will see garden of wooden statues - a typical cultural feature of the Central Highlands people, showing the status, activities, and relationships of the community such as the statue of a mother carrying her child, people drinking can wine, people going to the fields, a woman whois weaving...

Khanh Lam Pagoda

Sitting atop a mountain and surrounded by forest, is Khanh Lam Pagoda. Visitors ascend 200 stone steps to reach this vast, spiritual enclave. The sloped roofs and Asian tiered towers seem to shoulder the sky.

Cloud hunting in Konplong

For visitors who have never experienced cloud hunting in Ha Giang, it is your chance to experience it in one go in Mang Den. Up in the early morning and admire the scenery of this small peaceful town being embraced by the sea of clouds. Why not have yourself a cup of hot coffee and enjoy the sunrise also.

Mang Den town is well-suited for hiking or biking, but for those who prefer a four-legged mosey, horseback riding is also available! 

Mang Den is also Foodie friendly. The cuisine rivals the topography as a drawing point. Its unique, specialty dishes are known throughout Viet Nam.