Dak Lak Province: Central Highlands Coffee and Culture

Dak Lak province sits in Vietnam's Central Highlands (중부 고원 / 中部高原 / 中部高原), a landscape of plateaus, freshwater lakes, and coffee plantations anchored by the ethnic minority communities that call it home. The province borders Gia Lai to the north, Khanh Hoa to the east, Lam Dong to the south, and Mondulkiri province in Cambodia to the west. Home to the Rade, Jarai, and Mnong peoples, it's one of Vietnam's most ethnically diverse regions.

What the Name Means

The name "Dak Lak" comes from the Mnong language, a Mon-Khmer tongue spoken by indigenous groups here. "Dak" translates to "water" or "lake," while "Lak" refers to the province's largest freshwater lake—so the name literally means "Lak Lake." The official Vietnamese spelling preserves the long "a" sounds of the original Mnong pronunciation. French colonial texts used "Darlac," and you'll still see variant spellings like "Daklak" on older signs and guesthouses.

The Long History

The region was part of the Kingdom of Champa until the 15th century, when Vietnamese expansion pushed south and absorbed it. By 1540, Vietnamese authorities had appointed nobles to settle ethnic Vietnamese in the area and establish military outposts. During the French colonial period, plantations flourished—coffee, rubber, and other cash crops became the economic backbone—though French rule also sparked resistance from the local tribes.

Administrative boundaries shifted repeatedly. Dak Lak was carved out as its own province in 1904, merged back into Kon Tum in 1913, re-established in 1923, and reshaped multiple times through the mid-20th century. In 1976, after national reunification, Dak Lak and Quang Duc merged into a single province. In 2003, the province was split again, creating the separate Dak Nong province to the south.

Photo by Nhi Huynh on Pexels

Geography and Attractions

The province occupies the Dak Lak Plateau, sitting about 600 meters above sea level. About 60 kilometers south of Buon Ma Thuot (the provincial capital) lies Lak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the region. Overlooking the water stands the former summer retreat of Emperor Bao Dai, now converted into a hotel—a striking blend of colonial architecture and mountain views.

Jun Village sits on the lakeshore, home to the Jun people. Beyond traditional tourism, the villagers have developed a distinctive fishing practice: they attach metal rods to a car battery, run the current through the water to stun fish, then collect and tank them. It's unconventional and worth watching if you're in the area.

Elephant rides through the village and across the lake are a popular draw for visitors, though consider the welfare of the animals and the ethics of the operation before booking.

Photo by Vy Van Bui on Pexels

Coffee, Rubber, and the Economy

Dak Lak is Vietnam (베트남 / 越南 / ベトナム)'s coffee heartland. The plateau's elevation and soil chemistry produce some of the country's most prized robusta beans. Beyond coffee, rubber plantations and fruit orchards dominate the rural landscape. The province has also invested in hydroelectric power generation to diversify its economic base.

Getting There

Two airports serve the region: Buon Ma Thuot Airport and Tuy Hoa Airport, both offering daily domestic flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Pacific Airlines, and Bamboo Airways all operate routes in and out of the province, making it accessible for a long weekend or extended stay in the highlands.