{"id":3789,"date":"2026-07-15T15:53:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T06:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/?post_type=news&p=3789"},"modified":"2026-08-02T08:13:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T23:13:15","slug":"kon-ka-kinh","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/news\/kon-ka-kinh\/","title":{"rendered":"A forest where you can meet endangered monkeys: Kon Ka Kinh, Gia Lai's new destination"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gia Lai Province, in Vietnam's central highlands, has officially designated Kon Ka Kinh National Park as a tourist site\u2014the centerpiece of its 2026 tourism plan. That brings Gia Lai's officially designated tourist sites to four. Endangered primates live in the untouched old-growth forest, and Bahnar villages dot the surroundings\u2014this forest, just added to the tourist map, is a candidate for anyone seeking a 'trip in dialogue with nature' rather than beaches or theme parks.<\/p>\n

What Kind of Place Is Kon Ka Kinh?<\/h2>\n

\u30b3\u30f3\u30ab\u30fc\u30ad\u30f3\u56fd\u7acb\u516c\u5712\u306f\u3001\u30b8\u30a2\u30e9\u30a4\u7701\u306e\u5317\u6771\u3001\u7701\u90fd\u30d7\u30ec\u30a4\u30af\uff08Pleiku\uff09\u304b\u3089\u7d0450km\u306e\u5c71\u3042\u3044\u306b\u3042\u308b\u3002\u7dcf\u9762\u7a4d\u306f\u304a\u3088\u305d4\u4e072,000\u30d8\u30af\u30bf\u30fc\u30eb\uff08\u7d04419\u5e73\u65b9\u30ad\u30ed\u30e1\u30fc\u30c8\u30eb\uff09\u3067\u3001\u305d\u306e8\u5272\u5f31\u306b\u3042\u305f\u308b3\u4e073,565\u30d8\u30af\u30bf\u30fc\u30eb\u304c\u5929\u7136\u6797\u3060\u3002\u884c\u653f\u533a\u5206\u3068\u3057\u3066\u306f\u30af\u30ed\u30f3\u3001\u30c0\u30af\u30ed\u30f3\u3001\u30c0\u30af\u30bd\u30e1\u30a4\u3001\u30a2\u30e6\u30f3\u306e4\u3064\u306e\u30b3\u30df\u30e5\u30fc\u30f3\u306b\u307e\u305f\u304c\u308b\u3002<\/p>\n

The reason this forest has drawn attention from researchers and conservation groups is the diversity of its wildlife. Animals alone account for 351 confirmed species, 47 of them rare species listed in Vietnam\u2019s Red Book (list of endangered species). This designation as a tourist site means stepping into a stage of \u201cshowing it while protecting it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Primates you can meet only here<\/h2>\n

Kon Ka Kinh's signature resident is the grey-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea). Endemic to Vietnam and classified as critically endangered worldwide, this rare monkey has one of its largest surviving habitats in the park. The endangered northern yellow-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus annamensis) also lives here. An endemic bird known locally as 'Khuou Kon Ka Kinh' (a laughingthrush) and the Truong Son muntjac (Mang Truong Son) are also named in the park's introduction.<\/p>\n

Since you're dealing with wild animals, sightings come down to luck, but the time spent walking the forest while listening to troops moving through the canopy at dawn and dusk is itself the value of this place. It's a destination for enjoying quiet and chance, not flashy attractions.<\/p>\n

Waterfalls and ridgelines, nature on foot<\/h2>\n

The scenic highlights are the waterfalls threading through the primeval forest and the panorama from the highland ridgeline. Scattered within the park are Pho Tuong Falls (Th\u00e1c Pho T\u01b0\u1ee3ng), P’ne Falls (Th\u00e1c P’ne), and the falls commonly called \u201cFalls No. 95\u201d (Th\u00e1c 95). The goal point for a ridgeline walk is the 1,330-meter White Rock Peak (\u0110\u1ec9nh \u0110\u00e1 tr\u1eafng).<\/p>\n

For the more sure-footed, there is also a route to summit the 1,748-meter Kon Ka Kinh mountain, which gave the park its name. The view from the summit overlooking the Gia Lai Plateau (Pleiku Plateau) is presented as an experience representative of the region's ecotourism. The mixed forest of broadleaf and conifer trees includes many old-growth trees and is well suited to a walk while observing the vegetation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Item<\/th>\nDetails<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Location<\/td>\nAbout 50 km from Pleiku, in northeastern Gia Lai Province<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Area<\/td>\n\u7d044\u4e072,000ha\uff08\u3046\u3061\u5929\u7136\u67973\u4e073,565ha\uff09<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Confirmed animal species<\/td>\n351 species (47 of them rare)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main highlights<\/td>\nDouc langurs, gibbons, waterfalls, White Rock Peak (1,330m), and Kon Ka Kinh mountain (1,748m)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Bahnar life spread beyond the forest<\/h2>\n

What gives a trip to Kon Ka Kinh its depth is the culture of the Bahnar people who live around it. In villages such as \u0110\u00eak Y\u00eang, Hy\u00ear, and \u0110\u00ea B'T\u1ee9c, distinctive annual events\u2014new-rice festivals, gong festivals, and traditional funeral rites\u2014are still held today. Being able to combine forest walks with encounters with village culture is a draw unique to this area. Near Sapa in the north,Village tourism: Red Dao herbal baths and embroidery homestays<\/a>As shown by its popularity, trips that visit the life of ethnic minorities can be the main draw in the Central Highlands too.<\/p>\n

Practical points when considering it as a destination<\/h2>\n

The first thing to note is that the base is Pleiku. The basic route is to fly into Pleiku and then take about 50 km of mountain road by car. Just designated as a tourist site, it doesn't have the polished facilities of a beach resort. That's exactly why it's a destination to plan for hiking and wildlife watching, with room to spare in your gear and your schedule.<\/p>\n

This time Gia Lai Province is rolling out several new spots beyond Kon Ka Kinh, including facilities of a different character such as the Japanese-culture-themed Yugari Chaya. Being able to vary the mix\u2014Kon Ka Kinh for a nature focus, other spots for strolling and food\u2014is the strength of this province now that it has more destinations. For a trip through untouched nature, the Mekong Delta'sVillage tourism: staying in a palmyra-palm forest<\/a>and a former quarry turned jade-greenA tour of scenic lakes in An Giang\u2019s Seven Mountains<\/a>considering it alongside these, the options for a \u201cnature trip\u201d in Vietnam widen considerably.<\/p>\n

Summary<\/h2>\n

Kon Ka Kinh National Park's designation means a new destination on the map where you can take in endangered primates, old-growth forest, and Bahnar culture all at once. For seasoned travelers who've done the usual beaches and city tours, and for those who want to build a trip around wildlife and nature, it's a candidate for what's next. Starting from Pleiku and walking waterfalls, ridgelines, and villages over several days\u2014why not add an itinerary like that to your options for your next trip to Vietnam?<\/p>\n

Sources<\/h2>\n