VI
EN
A peaceful town amidst blooming flowers.
Mang Den, covering an area of over 148 km², is now part of Quang Ngai province and boasts a cool climate year-round. During autumn and winter, from October to December, the weather is cool with warm sunshine, and cherry blossoms bloom pink along the roads, transforming the town into a romantic scene. But Mang Den isn't just beautiful in one season: February brings mimosa and bauhinia flowers, March and April are the season for jacaranda blossoms, followed by the purple rhododendron flowers that blanket the hillsides.
Mang Den has a landscape and climate similar to Da Lat.
Walking along misty roads, visitors easily encounter a slow, peaceful pace of life. Free from the noise of cars and the hustle and bustle of shops, Mang Den retains the pristine beauty of the mountains and forests, where time seems to slow down, allowing one to fully breathe in the tranquil atmosphere.
Mang Den Art Garden - a cultural space of the Central Highlands
At the crossroads leading into the town, the Mang Den Art Garden welcomes visitors with hundreds of folk wooden statues interspersed with randomly stacked stone blocks. Opened at the end of August 2024, this project serves both as a tourist attraction and a place for preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Central Highlands people.
The Mang Den art garden features wooden statues characteristic of the Central Highlands.
The rustic wooden statues, carved with axes, machetes, and crude chisels, exude the simple and innocent charm of folk life. They are not confined to a single model but are diverse and rich, ranging from human portraits to animal figures closely associated with daily life. Each rough line bears the mark of time, evoking a sense of both mystery and realism. Interspersed among them are stacked blocks of stone, creating a unique scene in the misty town.
With integrated investment in areas such as the Mang Den Victory Monument, the central hall, the food court and the market, the art garden has become a complex connecting creative space and community culture. Visitors come not only to admire but also to feel the pulse of the Central Highlands spirit through each statue.
The stilt houses and distinctive patterns of Central Highlands culture are also recreated here.
Kon Pring Community Tourism Village - a rustic village
Located about 5 km from the town center, Kon Pring village still retains its pristine, rustic charm. A highlight is the traditional communal house with its long, steeply sloping roof, constructed from wood, bamboo, and thatched with rattan. This is where festivals take place, community activities occur, and tourists come to learn about the local way of life.
The Kon Pring village cultural center still retains the traditional longhouse architecture of the Central Highlands.
Kon Pring now has homestays for tourists, but the locals still maintain a simple way of life. Children in the village play innocently, untouched by the rapid pace of tourism. About 3.5 km further in, visitors will encounter the Kon Pring suspension bridge, made of wood and iron cables, spanning the river. Standing on the bridge, the entire pristine landscape of Mang Den unfolds: lush green mountains and forests, a gentle river, vast fields, and no sign of concrete or steel structures.
Kon Pring village suspension bridge - a popular check-in spot for tourists in Kon Pring village.
In Kon Pring, visitors not only have the opportunity to stroll around but also to immerse themselves in the local way of life, participate in traditional festivals, or simply sit by the fire and listen to the lingering sound of gongs in the night.
Kon Vong Kia Village - peaceful in the valley
Less well-known than Kon Pring, Kon Vong Kia possesses a distinct beauty. Located about 7 km from Mang Den town, it is the long-standing home of the Xo Dang ethnic group, a branch of the Mo Nam ethnic group. The village comprises three small hamlets: Kon Vong, Kon Kia, and Kon Pec, with nearly 450 inhabitants.
The tranquil rice field scenery of Kon Vong Kia village.
The scenery here is a peaceful valley, surrounded by hills and terraced rice fields covering over 170 hectares. The Nuoc Long stream meanders through the fields, adorned with charming suspension bridges such as Kon Doa, Y Bay, and Kon Pec. In August, during the rice harvest season, the valley glows golden amidst the lush green mountains. During the rainy season in March and April, the flooded fields sparkle in the sunlight, like a mirror reflecting the sky and clouds.
Unlike bustling tourist destinations, Kon Vong Kia has not yet developed a well-organized service industry. However, it is the simplicity and authenticity of its people and the pristine landscape that have become the special attractions of this village.
Mang Den Market - the breath of the mountains and forests
Established in 2023, the Mang Den market quickly became a popular weekend destination. Located in the central square of Kon Plong district, the market has more than 30 stalls built with bamboo, wood, and brocade fabrics, reflecting the rich local culture.
The space of the Mang Den market fair.
Here, visitors can experience a vibrant cultural tapestry: from local produce like organic vegetables, pomelos, oranges, and strawberries to precious medicinal herbs such as Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Codonopsis pilosula, and Ganoderma lucidum. Not to be missed are the mountain delicacies such as fragrant grilled chicken with sticky rice, flavorful smoked buffalo meat, grilled village pork, grilled catfish, and rustic buffalo horn-shaped cakes, all prepared by local people in traditional brocade costumes. In the cool November air, a roasted sweet potato, roasted corn, or a glass of hot milk is enough to warm the heart of any traveler.
The market offers many local snacks such as milk made from kơ nia tree seeds.
The market is also a place where tourists can witness and experience traditional activities such as weaving brocade, making cakes, and brewing coffee. The image of the market, usually associated with the mountainous regions of Northern Vietnam, seems novel and intriguing to many tourists when it appears in Mang Den.
Mang Den Night Market - when the mountain town lights up.
While the daytime market has a vibrant atmosphere, the Mang Den night market unfolds in a dazzling setting under the pine trees. Opened in October 2024, this 2.5-hectare night market has become a hub for food stalls, open from 5 PM to 10 PM on weekends and holidays.
Mang Den Night Market mainly consists of food stalls, serving dinner and late-night snacks.
The warm yellow lights, the smoky aroma of grilled meat, the lively laughter and chatter—all create a cozy picture of this mountain town. Local dishes like grilled chicken, grilled stream fish, fragrant sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, and strong rice wine make visitors savor the flavors while shivering in the crisp cold. For those from the South, where this climate isn't found, the experience of enjoying hot grilled food in the cold of Mang Den becomes an unforgettable memory.
A journey back to the pristine
Today, Mang Den is gradually asserting its position with new and exciting destinations: art gardens, traditional markets, night markets, and community-based tourism villages. However, what truly captivates visitors is its unspoiled natural beauty: whispering pine forests, sprawling terraced rice fields, tranquil villages, and the genuine lifestyle of the local people.
Traveling to Mang Den is not just a journey of discovering the landscape, but also a journey of finding balance in the soul. Amidst the vast forests of the Central Highlands, this green gem still sparkles with natural beauty, waiting to be touched and felt with all the senses.
