Visit Mang Den on sunny days in the highlands.

What comes to mind when you think of Kon Tum? Perhaps it's the sun-drenched, windswept red dirt roads, the towering, distinctive communal houses, the resounding sounds of gongs and drums, or the faint aroma of coffee in the breeze? Everyone has thought of Kon Tum in this way before setting foot in Mang Den – a small town surrounded by mountains, trees, and wildflowers.

Mang Den village, located in Kon Plong district, Kon Tum province, is situated on a plateau within the Truong Son mountain range at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, with a year-round humid, cold, and foggy climate.

People still call this area "Mang Den Tourist Area," but that's not entirely accurate because tourism isn't really developed here, or it's developed in a quiet and subtle way that makes it difficult to notice. All we know is that in Mang Den, everything is rustic, simple, and unspoiled, much like Da Lat decades ago.

There are many ways to get to Mang Den, but the most convenient option from any starting point is to stop in Kon Tum city and then take a bus or rent a motorbike to Mang Den. The journey to Mang Den is like a short trip; visitors will experience the swaying sensation of driving along mountain passes, gazing at the valleys and the misty clouds above the mountain peaks.

Mang Den is often called the second Da Lat because it is also a rolling plateau with valleys and vast pine forests. The beauty of this pristine land is somewhat melancholic yet romantic. The people here also have a very distinctive "mountain and forest" lifestyle.

Because of its unspoiled natural beauty, Mang Den doesn't have many tourist attractions. The sights and entertainment options are concentrated in one area, making it easy for visitors to get around and save time. Below are some interesting places Travellive suggests you visit when you come to Mang Den.

1. Dak Ke Lake

Dak Ke Lake is one of the rare tourist attractions in Mang Den. The distance from the homestays to Dak Ke Lake is only about 600 meters. Currently, the area around the lake is being renovated and developed for tourism, but the scenery still retains its pristine, natural beauty.

The lake's crystal-clear water, surrounded by rows of green trees, along with a few tall stilt houses and a small bridge spanning the lake, makes the scene even more charming and romantic.

2. Suspension bridge

Perhaps suspension bridges are one of the defining features of Mang Den in particular, and Kon Tum in general, because all the bridges in Mang Den are suspension bridges; it is very difficult to find a reinforced concrete bridge in this highland region.

However, most suspension bridges in Mang Den are small, with clear regulations on the number of motorbikes allowed to cross—only one at a time—and pedestrians are only permitted to cross in groups of less than 10 people.

3. Pa Sy Waterfall

If you visit Pa Sy Waterfall in the late afternoon, you'll feel like you've wandered into a magical forest with its cool air, rustling leaves, chirping birds, and the increasingly loud sound of the waterfall. After walking about 500 meters through the forest and down the rugged stone steps, Pa Sy Waterfall appears, fresh and peaceful.

Unlike other waterfalls in the Central Highlands (such as Dray Nur and Dray Sap), which are divided into many different branches, Pa Sy waterfall has only one branch of water cascading down, surrounded by a lush green forest.

Mang Den is simply that, with all that nature has to offer. The cool, fresh climate, the lush green pine forests, the crisp breeze, and the gentle scent of wildflowers and pine needles are enough to truly captivate anyone.

Perhaps those who have been here, or have heard about the pristine beauty of this highland region, have at times felt a sense of "selfishness," wishing to keep Mang Den simple and peaceful as it is. No concrete construction, no commercialization, so that we can always have a second home to return to.

Tuong Minh