Away from Vietnam’s famous coastline and historic cities lies a very different landscape. The Central Highlands are a world of volcanic plateaus, pine forests, waterfalls, coffee plantations and communities whose cultures have developed over generations in the country’s mountainous interior.
Still relatively overlooked by international visitors, the region rewards travellers willing to venture beyond the conventional route. Panorama Destination’s new Trails of Vietnam journey does exactly that, travelling overland from Hanoi to Saigon and spending several days exploring the highlands between Kon Tum, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot and Da Lat.
Culture and community in Kon Tum
Arriving from Hoi An, the journey climbs away from the coastal plains and follows sections of the modern Ho Chi Minh Road through forested mountains and changing agricultural landscapes.
In Kon Tum, visitors discover a fascinating blend of highland culture and history. The town’s distinctive wooden church and seminary combine local materials and craftsmanship with the architectural influences of Catholic missionaries.
The itinerary also includes a hosted walk through a nearby Bahnar community, accompanied by a local cultural interpreter. Rather than presenting village culture as a performance, the experience is designed around conversation; guests learn about farming, village organisation and the traditional communal house, with access to homes and ceremonial spaces only when invited by residents.
The Bahnar are among several Indigenous communities whose cultures remain integral to the Central Highlands. One particularly important tradition is the region’s gong culture, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage and closely associated with community ceremonies and celebrations.
Volcanic landscapes and thundering waterfalls
From Kon Tum, the route continues south to Pleiku, passing through a landscape shaped by the region’s volcanic past. A stop at Bien Ho, or T’Nung Lake, reveals a peaceful crater lake surrounded by pine-covered hills and farmland.
Beyond Pleiku, fertile red soils support extensive coffee, pepper and rubber cultivation. Panorama’s journey explores how commercial agriculture has transformed both the landscape and the livelihoods of people living here, before continuing to one of the region’s most impressive natural attractions.
At Dray Nur Waterfall, the Serepok River tumbles over a broad basalt formation, creating a powerful curtain of water surrounded by forest. The falls are among the natural highlights of Dak Lak, a province increasingly recognised for the combination of waterfalls, forests, Indigenous cultures and agricultural landscapes that characterise the Central Highlands.
From red earth to coffee cup
The next stop is Buon Ma Thuot, widely known as Vietnam’s coffee capital. Coffee is more than a drink here: plantations cover the surrounding countryside and the crop plays an important role in the region’s economy and identity.
Our itinerary follows the journey from red earth to cup at a local farm or small producer. Travellers learn how different varieties are cultivated, harvested and processed before taking part in a guided tasting comparing beans and roasting profiles. It is an opportunity to look beyond the familiar glass of Vietnamese iced coffee and understand the people, landscapes and decisions behind it.
Take the road less travelled
The Central Highlands form part of Panorama Destination’s new 23-day, 22-night Trails of Vietnam programme; an ambitious overland journey, linking many of the country’s best-known destinations with places international travellers rarely experience. From Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, the route travels through Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Hue and Hoi An before crossing the Central Highlands and continuing via Da Lat to Saigon.
For travellers who want to understand Vietnam beyond its headline attractions, the highlands provide a compelling detour. Here, volcanic landscapes, powerful waterfalls, coffee-growing traditions and living local cultures combine to reveal a side of the country that remains refreshingly off the beaten track.
