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Discover Kon Tum: The untouched beauty, majesty, and irresistible delicacies

Kon Tum, a pristine land in the Central Highlands, holds countless wonders waiting for you to explore. Embark on an adventure to Kon Tum, where you will experience winding roads, unique historical landmarks, immerse yourself in the local culture, and indulge in the not-to-be-missed delicacies.

Administrator

17 March, 2024

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Located in the far north of the Central Highlands, Kon Tum not only occupies a strategic geographical position in the development triangle between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, but is also famous for the intersection of Indochina, a unique place where the sound of roosters can be heard across three countries at every dawn.

With its rich cultural and epic identity, Kon Tum is the homeland of heroic legends. This place is blessed with magnificent natural landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. Being a crossroads of history, with the diversity of ethnic minorities, Kon Tum opens up a unique space for culture and cuisine, attracting visitors to explore and experience.

Must-visit attractions

Kon Tum Wooden Church: The iconic symbol of Kon Tum and the Central Highlands, this wooden church is entirely built from cajeput wood, blending Roman architectural style with the characteristics of the Ba Na communal house. The construction process lasted from 1913 to 1918. Inside the church is a versatile space including a sanctuary, reception area, ethnic culture and religion exhibition area, and a communal house. In addition, the premises also have an orphanage, a tailoring and weaving workshop, as well as a carpentry workshop.

Indochina Junction

Located in Bo Y commune, Ngoc Hoi district of Kon Tum province, this border junction is the meeting point of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, famous for the story of “the sound of roosters can be heard across three countries”. The milestone was built in December 2007 and completed in early 2008 under the supervision of experts from all three countries. The stone milestone weighs 900 kg, made of triangular granite, 2 meters high, with each side facing each country engraved with the emblem, milestone year, and the name of the country in characteristic red letters.

This milestone is not only a symbol of determination, wishes, and cooperation between the governments and people of the three countries in resolving border territory issues amicably, but also evidence of the trusted relationship, understanding, and cooperation between Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

Kon Tum Prison

Located at the end of Truong Quang Trong Street, Quyet Thang Ward, Kon Tum city, this historical site was built in 1930, once a place to detain political prisoners and revolutionary fighters, and also a labor source for the exploitation of the plateau and the construction of National Highway 14.

Kon Tum Prison is also known by many other names such as Zinc Lao, Iron Lao, New Lao or New Bridge Lao, or also known as Outer Lao. Meanwhile, the Old Prison in the town center (Kon Tum Provincial Prison, Prison de Kon Tum) is known as Inner Lao.

Famous with the nickname “hell on earth”, Kon Tum Prison once detained and tormented over 500 revolutionary soldiers. This historical site, along with the province’s comprehensive museum, has become a noteworthy stop for tourists on the legendary Ho Chi Minh trail, winding through the Central region of the country.

Kon K’lor Communal House

Being a symbol of community unity and the collective strength of the local people, Kon Klor Communal House is located next to Dak Bla River, connected by Kon Klor Suspension Bridge, between Kon Klor Village in Thang Loi Ward and Kon K’tu Village in Dak Ro Wa commune. With a height of 22 meters, a width of over 6 meters, and a length of over 17 meters, Kon K’lor Communal House is not only the largest communal house in Kon Tum but also an important cultural center of the pristine Central Highlands. The communal house is built from traditional materials such as wood, bamboo, rattan, and leaves, and adorned with intricate patterns, cultural motifs, and a strong cultural identity.

Mang Den Tourist Area

Located in Mang Den town, Kon Plong district, about 60km from Kon Tum city, Mang Den is a familiar destination that visitors cannot miss. With an altitude of over 1,000m above sea level and a cool climate all year round, along with magnificent natural landscapes including lakes, waterfalls, and rocky streams, Mang Den is known as the “second Da Lat” of Vietnam.

Visiting Mang Den, tourists can admire the pristine natural scenery, green coffee hills, creating an inviting landscape for exploration. In addition, visitors can explore attractions such as the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, a historical landmark from the anti-French period, Ngoc Le Mountain, Dak Ke Lake, Khanh Lam Pagoda, and many other points of interest.

Dak To Historical Site

This historical site is located on a hill about 600m high, about 1km southwest of Dak To town. This location was once a fierce battleground in the history of the Central Highlands, witnessing the intense battles between the Saigon army, US forces, and Vietnamese soldiers. For the people of Kon Tum, Dak To is a symbol of courage, resilience, and unity of the people. Currently, visitors can experience 15 diverse tourist spots here, from cultural to ecological and historical, with the highlight being the Dak To Victory Monument area.

What to eat in Kon Tum

Mango sticky rice is a unique dish in Kon Tum, arousing curiosity for many diners and an unmissable culinary experience. This dish is a combination of fragrant sticky rice and crispy sautéed bamboo shoots. Especially, red chili is added to suit the preference for spicy flavors of the local people. Mango sticky rice creates a harmonious blend of the crispness of bamboo shoots, the chewiness of sticky rice, and the distinctive spicy flavor, conquering anyone who tastes it.

Kon Tum leaf salad is a unique and famous dish, combining over 40 types of forest leaves, thinly sliced pork, fresh shrimp, and a unique dipping sauce made from fermented sticky rice, dried onions, and chili paste. This dish is often enjoyed by rolling with cabbage or banana leaves, inside of which are sour leaves and other types of leaves depending on personal preferences, creating a rich, sour, crispy, and slightly bitter flavor that is alluring.

Besides mango sticky rice and leaf salad, Kon Tum also has other special dishes such as golden ant salad with a distinct fragrant flavor, sour and crispy salted leaf wrap, jungle chicken mixed with special leaves, tender and fragrant swamp rat meat, pennywort, and many other unique dishes that are a constant source of exploration for diners.

Frequently asked questions

With a rich cultural and epic identity, Kon Tum is the homeland of heroic legends. The region is known for its diverse ethnic minorities, magnificent natural landscapes, and unique cultural and culinary experiences.

Must-visit sites include the iconic Kon Tum Wooden Church, a blend of Roman and Ba Na communal house architecture. The Indochina Junction is a border milestone symbolizing cooperation between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Kon Tum Prison, also known as “hell on earth,” is a historical site that once detained revolutionary fighters. The Kon K’lor Communal House, located by the Dak Bla River, symbolizes community unity and strength. Other attractions include the Mang Den Tourist Area, known as the “second Da Lat,” and the Dak To Historical Site, a symbol of the region’s courage and resilience.

Kon Tum offers unique culinary experiences such as mango sticky rice, a blend of fragrant rice and crispy bamboo shoots with a spicy kick. The Kon Tum leaf salad is also famous, combining over 40 types of forest leaves, pork, shrimp, and a unique dipping sauce. Other specialties include golden ant salad, sour and crispy salted leaf wraps, jungle chicken with special leaves, and swamp rat meat.