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The shape of a long house in the middle of the street.
Amidst the modern streets of Buon Ma Thuot, the Dak Lak Museum stands out like a giant Ede longhouse rising from the red basalt soil. From afar, its soaring curved roof evokes the style of traditional stilt houses, while the glass reflecting sunlight gives the building a modern, light feel within its lush, tree-shaded grounds.
The exterior view of the Dak Lak Museum.
The museum grounds are shaded by lush greenery.
Construction of the museum began in 2008 and it was inaugurated in 2011, a result of a collaboration between the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and French experts. Spanning over 9,000 square meters, it is one of the largest cultural projects in the Central Highlands. Its architecture is not just for viewing, but also for experiencing, as every detail harmoniously blends tradition and modernity, the majestic beauty of the mountains and forests with the creative spirit of the people.
Stepping through the large gate, one feels as if they have left the hustle and bustle of the city behind. Before them lies an open courtyard, shaded by ancient trees, where the wind carries the scent of wood, earth, and coffee. It is from this moment that the journey of discovery through the museum begins – a journey through three regions of memory of the land and people of Dak Lak.
The museum's facade, viewed from the main entrance, is trapezoidal in shape and two stories high.
Ethnic cultural space - The breath of the mountains and forests
The doors opened, and the first thing that greeted visitors was the resounding sound of gongs echoing somewhere. In the warm golden light, the Ethnic Culture Space appeared like a vibrant painting of the lives of the 49 ethnic groups living on this land.
The Ethnic Cultural Space is a place to learn about the culture of ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands.
On the walls, photographs of buffalo sacrifice festivals, new rice harvest celebrations, or Ede women weaving brocade weave an endless story. Amidst this space, woven bamboo baskets, rice wine jars, patterned loincloths, silver jewelry, dugout canoes… are arranged as if their owners had just left. Each item bears the mark of human hands, imbued with sweat and the rhythm of mountain life.
Another corner recreates the Ede longhouse – the community home of many generations. Upon entering, the scent of aged wood and the lingering smell of old kitchen smoke can be felt. One can imagine the sounds of children playing, the melodious storytelling of Khan by the fire, or the rhythmic sounds of gongs and drums during a festival night. Every small detail, from the weaving loom to the bamboo flute and bronze gong, contributes to bringing to life a pristine, warm, and vibrant Central Highlands.
A section recreating the longhouse and tools used by the people of the Central Highlands.
Historical space - The flow of memories
Leaving the warmth of the longhouse, visitors step into the Historical Space, where the light softens, and silence envelops everything. Here, black-and-white photographs, tools, weapons, and documents are arranged like a flow of time connecting the past with the present.
From the earliest times, when humans first set foot on the highlands, to the periods of resistance against the French and Americans, every milestone is vividly recreated. Steel helmets, antique guns, military maps, soldiers' handwritten letters, or the belongings of the people in the war zone – all carry within them stories of the resilience and patriotism of the people of the Central Highlands.
The historical space provides information about the formation and development of this plateau region.
The large wall at the back of the room displays a series of images of Buon Ma Thuot during the war years: houses destroyed by bombs, people still bravely holding onto their land. Next to it is a corner recreating the day of Buon Ma Thuot's liberation in 1975 – a historical milestone marking the beginning of the great Spring victory. Standing before these images, one feels not only the pain and loss, but also the burning pride of a land that once endured the ravages of war.
Historical artifacts from bygone eras are preserved in the museum.
Biodiversity Space - The Song of the Green Forest
Stepping into the Biodiversity space, the area suddenly expands and is flooded with light. It feels like leaving behind the harsh realities of history and returning to the vastness of nature. Here, specimens of flora and fauna, photographs of Yok Don forest, Lak Lake, Dray Nur waterfall, Dray Sap waterfall… create a magnificent picture of Dak Lak's natural beauty.
This area provides information about plant species, including coffee – the main crop of Buon Ma Thuot.
In the center of the large room, a model of a primeval forest is erected, recreating the characteristic ecosystem of the Central Highlands: from the tall trees and shrubs to the carpet of dry leaves. Beside it, the bird and animal exhibit amazes everyone: eagles, peacocks, red-crowned cranes, along with rare animals such as elephants, wild buffaloes, and leopards. Each creature is an indispensable part of the forest's life cycle – where humans and nature are intertwined and depend on each other.
The diverse biodiversity of the area makes visitors feel as if they are wandering through a primeval forest.
The parallel information panels on conservation and sustainable development remind viewers that without forests and rivers, the Central Highlands would no longer be the Central Highlands. And perhaps, that message is what makes this exhibition so moving – a gentle invitation for each person to cherish their love for nature.
As evening falls, the soft golden sunlight filters through the curved roof of the museum, illuminating the dark wooden steps. Outside, the wind still blows through the trees, carrying the scent of earth, wind, and coffee wafting through the air. It is then that one realizes: this museum not only preserves artifacts – but also the soul of a land, where past and present intertwine in a single breath.
The exhibition area displays photographs showcasing the cultural beauty of ethnic groups in Dak Lak.
The Dak Lak Museum is not noisy or flashy, but everyone who visits takes something away, perhaps an impression of the longhouse architecture, the sound of gongs, or simply a feeling of peace sitting in the grounds, listening to the forest wind blowing through their ears. And perhaps that is why this place is always called by a simple yet profound name: the storytelling house of the Central Highlands.
