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Two days and one night in Mang Den – a relatively short time, but enough for four friends from Ho Chi Minh City to fully appreciate the pristine and peaceful beauty of this region. Thi An (a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City) shared: “We’ve been friends since middle school, and it’s been a long time since we’ve had a trip together. So this time, the group decided to go to Mang Den, regardless of the number of people; what’s important is experiencing it together.”
When spring arrives, Mang Den transforms into a vibrant natural landscape, with its endless expanse of green.
From Gia Lai to Mang Den - a memorable road trip.
Departing from Saigon on a Friday night, the group arrived in Gia Lai at dawn. A brief morning in Pleiku was enough to provide many interesting experiences. They started the day with a light breakfast at a small vegetarian restaurant, then visited the "Peaceful Day" cafe – a place with panoramic views of rice fields and distant mountains. The tranquil atmosphere and cool highland breeze made the morning pass by in a state of relaxation.
The cafe offers expansive views of the fields and distant mountains.
Minh Thanh Pagoda was our next stop, impressing with its architecture influenced by Japanese and Korean styles. Afterward, the group visited Bien Ho Lake – the emerald gem of Pleiku. Under the early morning sun, the lake's surface reflected sparkling rays like a starry sky, and the pine forest surrounding it created a truly poetic scene. The feeling of being nestled among centuries-old pines, where all sounds seemed to fade, leaving only absolute peace, was an unforgettable moment.
Minh Thanh Pagoda - a famous pagoda in Pleiku
From Gia Lai, they continued their journey to Mang Den. Two hours on the road, not long, but enough to be filled with a range of emotions. “We sat together in the car, listening to music, watching the scenery change with each frame. This stretch of road was quite beautiful, with long stretches of steep and winding roads. On trips like this, these moments are so lovely,” Thi An recounted.
A row of 100-year-old pine trees.
Pleiku Lake
Mang Den – A breathtaking natural landscape
Upon arrival at noon, the group checked into Duka Homestay, a charming, tastefully designed small accommodation that had only been open for a month. After a lunch of signature grilled chicken and sticky rice, the group began exploring Mang Den.
The lovely space at Duka Homestay
They chose a route that started from a distant point and gradually moved closer, beginning at the Kon Tu Rằng suspension bridge. The road was bumpy, but upon arrival, a picturesque scene unfolded before their eyes. From the bridge, they could gaze down at the lush green terraced rice fields, the babbling stream flowing over the rocks, and in the distance, a herd of goats lying peacefully on the rocks. At that moment, the afternoon sun was setting, its golden light filtering through the mountain crevices, creating a picture that was both majestic and tranquil. "Just crossing the bridge is enough to leave all the noise behind, leaving only the sound of the wind and the distant stream," Ân said.
Suspension bridges are a distinctive feature of Mang Den.
Beyond the bridge lies the area of 37 households – the home of the local people. As the sun set, the group passed by just as the villagers were finishing their work in the fields and returning home. The simple stilt houses, with smoke from the chimneys lingering in the twilight, gave the place a serene and peaceful beauty. Because it got dark quickly, Thi An and her friend didn't have time to visit Pa Sy Waterfall or Khanh Lam Pagoda, but they had no regrets, as every moment here was precious.
The goats lay leisurely on the rocks.
Lush green spaces stretch out
Sunset in Mang Den
Mang Den night – warmth amidst the cold plateau
Mang Den at night isn't as gloomy as many people think. Our group visited the night market – where food stalls glowed brightly with yellow lights amidst the pine forest. They tried roasted milk tea, a unique drink with a rich herbal aroma, accompanied by hot chestnut cakes. A stroll through the market to sample Khơ nia nut milk and other characteristic fermented drinks made for a perfect and enjoyable evening.
The night market glows brightly with yellow lights amidst the pine forest.
Enjoy roasted milk tea and chestnut cake.
Returning to the homestay, they gathered on the porch, gazing up at the starry sky. Thi An recounted, “The night sky in Mang Den was so beautiful, the stars shone as brightly as in Phu Quy. We sat together, reminiscing about our childhood and asking about each other’s current lives. Those moments made me find life wonderfully lovely.”
The sky over Mang Den stretched endlessly, and the stars shone brighter as night fell. As night descended, a thick fog enveloped the entire sky. They sat there together, silently watching the stars rise and the fog descend, unaffected by the increasingly biting cold of the highlands.
A complete journey
The next morning, the group woke up early to go for coffee and enjoy the view. The cafe was located along the mountainside, offering a panoramic view of the vast green rice fields and rolling hills. Afterwards, they had breakfast with A Kay's snakehead fish noodle soup, then visited the statue of Our Lady of Mang Den. This place is famous for its sacredness, especially the statue of the Virgin Mary without arms – an image that touches the emotions of many. The inscription behind the statue, "You are the extended arms of the Mother," further enhances the significance of this place.
Before leaving Mang Den, the group visited the welcome gate, a must-see photo spot. Under the rustling pine trees, they took some memorable photos before bidding farewell to this peaceful land.
Mang Den boasts red basalt dirt roads, golden sunshine glistening on pine trees, and scenery so pristine that simply standing still is enough to bring a sense of peace.
The trip concluded with two full days and one night in Mang Den, not rushed, not needing to visit too many places, but focusing on enjoying each moment. “In Mang Den this March, the weather is pleasantly cool, not too cold, only chilly in the morning and at night. People often say Mang Den is a miniature Da Lat, but it's not. The atmosphere, the color of the sunlight, the smell of the wind are different, and Mang Den is Mang Den. Mang Den is neither happy nor sad, but a quiet peace amidst the highland landscape. It's a place with red basalt dirt roads, golden sunlight on the pine trees, and scenery so fresh that just standing still is enough to make you feel at ease,” Thi An shared.
If they had more time, the group planned to visit Kon Von Kle village, which preserves the beauty of local culture. But even a short trip to Mang Den was enough for them. Enough to know that sometimes happiness is simply sitting under the stars with close friends, laughing and cherishing the moments together.
