"Da Lat 20 years ago" — a gem of the Central Highlands with still few tourists
ベトナム中部高原クアンガイ省（旧コントゥム省）コンプロン郡に位置するマンデン（Mang Den）は、標高1,200mの高原地帯だ。7つの湖、3つの滝、原生林に囲まれたこの地は、「舞踏会前のシンデレラ」と形容される——美しさはすでにあるが、世界はまだ気づいていない。
Against Da Lat's current state — bustling with 8 million tourists a year and traffic jams on weekends — Mang Den still keeps its quiet. Over the 2026 New Year holiday, about 10,000 people a day visited and it was reported as "overcrowded," but by Da Lat's standards that's a weekday-level headcount.
Geography and climate — a summer retreat with a year-round average of 20 degrees
Mang Den sits at the northern edge of the Central Highlands, about 600km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City and about 300km southwest of Da Nang. Its cool climate is comfortable year-round, ideal for escaping Ho Chi Minh City's scorching heat.
| Item | Mang Den | Da Lat (reference) |
|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,200m | 1,500m |
| Annual average temperature | About 20℃ | About 18℃ |
| Dry season | November–April | November–April |
| Rainy season | May–October | May–October |
| Annual tourist count | Estimated 100,000–150,000 | About 8 million |
| Level of commercialization | Low (homestay-centered) | High (many resorts and theme parks) |
Seven lakes and three waterfalls — the natural highlights
The seven lakes that give Mang Den its name are all surrounded by primeval forest. The most famous, Dak Ke Lake, mirrors the pine forest on its glassy surface, and in the early morning a sea of clouds covers the lake.
- Dak Ke Lake: the largest and most developed of the seven lakes. Canoeing and fishing are possible
- Pa Sy Waterfall: a waterfall of about 15m drop formed where three streams merge. The water volume peaks in the rainy season
- Dak Ke Waterfall: a waterfall flowing out of Dak Ke Lake. It's partway along a trekking route
- 60-year pine forest: a vast pine forest planted in the 1960s. Popular as a camping site too
The early-morning "cloud hunting" is an activity of watching a sea of clouds at sunrise on the hills of the Kon Plong area. As an experience unique to Mang Den, it's spreading among Vietnamese residents as a photogenic spot on social media.
The one-million-cherry-tree plan — a national project to transform winter Mang Den
クアンガイ省（旧コントゥム省）は2026年末までにマンデンに100万本のヒマラヤ桜（Prunus cerasoides）を植樹する計画を進めている。単なる観賞用ではなく、長期的な観光資源として地域経済を支える産業として位置づけられている。
At the January 2026 cherry festival, a four-day event was held as Mang Den Culture and Tourism Week. With a program tying together sports and food — a pickleball tournament, a "Run in the Clouds" trail run, and an OCOP (One Commune One Product) food fair with about 80 booths — about 1,800 lodging rooms sold out three days in advance.
Ethnic-minority culture — a highland where four peoples live
Around Mang Den live four ethnic minorities — the Mo Nam, Ka Dong, Sedang, and Hre. They practice traditional slash-and-burn farming and still preserve their own rituals and home-brewed liquor culture.
By doing a homestay with an ethnic-minority family, you can touch their daily life. Cultural experience programs like gong music performances and traditional weaving workshops are also gradually being developed.
Local voices — "Come while you still can"
- "Anyone who knew Da Lat five years ago will understand. Quiet, cool, and the locals are friendly. That's what Mang Den is now." (Ho Chi Minh City-based Vietnamese travel blogger)
- "I paddled a canoe on Dak Ke Lake at 6 a.m. The pine forest reflected on the lake, and only the birdsong echoed. You can't taste this experience in Da Lat." (Singaporean backpacker)
- "I couldn't get a room the weekend of the cherry festival. It feels like Mang Den's name spread all at once. But the infrastructure hasn't caught up yet." (Kon Tum-based guide)
Access guide for Japanese travelers
The nearest airport is Pleiku Airport, about 100km south of Mang Den. Domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Pleiku run daily, taking about an hour. From Pleiku to Mang Den is about two and a half hours by car, and road conditions are good.
Lodging is mainly homestays, with a few resort hotels too. Camping in the pine forest is also possible. The Wi-Fi environment is fine in the center, but connection may be difficult around the lakes and waterfalls.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Quang Ngai省（旧Kon Tum省）Kon Plong郡 Mang Den |
| Nearest airport | Pleiku Airport (about 100km, 2.5 hours by car) |
| From Ho Chi Minh City | 1-hour flight + 2.5 hours by car |
| Best season | November–March (dry season, cherry season) |
| Lodging | Homestay, camping, resort (about 1,800 rooms) |
| Specialty | Mang Den Arabica coffee, ethnic-minority home-brewed liquor |
| Activities | Trekking, canoeing, cycling, horseback riding, cloud hunting |
| Cherry festival | Early January every year (4 days) |
Summary — "not yet found," now is the chance
Mang Den stands at the entrance of the "discovery → boom → commercialization" cycle that Da Lat followed. If the one-million-cherry-tree plan is completed, it will become a major winter Vietnam travel destination all at once. Having the seven lakes and primeval forest to yourself amid the quiet may be possible only now.Royal Shore BeachclubTry planning a trip to experience a Vietnam of mountains and forests, in contrast to the beaches of Hoi An introduced in.
