Dak Nong Province is situated to southwest of the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Dak Nong is on the M’nong Plateau (Mo Nong or Dak Nong Plateau) with low hills and some valleys with flat terrain.
Dak Nong Geography
Dak Nong terrain has averaged altitude of 500m and the highest points are at the Da Dung Mountain (1,982m) and Nam Decbri (or Nam JeBri) Mountain (1,580m). The province is newly split from a district of Dak Lak Province.
The capital city of Dak Nong Province is Gia Nghia City, 250km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City (also called Saigon).
Dak Nong Weather and Climate
Dak Nong has two seasons per year: dry season from December to April and rainy season from May to November. The annual rainfall in Dak Nong is 2,200-2,400mm. The temperatures are more pleasant in the period from September through February. Warmer temperatures are found in March – May. Temperatures are quite stable in Dak Nong.
Safety
Dak Nong is basically good in security. Mind the steep terrain with some blind curves on the roads if you travel by motorbike or bicycle though.
What to See, Tourist Attractions in Dak Nong
1/ Ta Dung Lake (Ta Dung Nature Reserve)
This is the largest freshwater lake in Dak Nong with 47 islands on an altitude of 850m above sea level, hence the nickname Halong Bay in the Central Highlands, surrounded by lush forests and mountains. You can take a boat ride on the lake, go fishing, or camp overnight. Ta Dung Lake was a natural lake but it was expanded thanks to hydro-power plant dams blocking the Dong Nai River.
The Ta Dung Nature Reserve is home to a rich wildlife with several species listed as endangered and critically endangered like deers, gaurs, primates (Black Shanked Langurs, slow loris)… The Ta Dung Mountain is the highest point in Dak Nong Province and offers great trekking experience as well as lovely landscape with waterfalls amid primeval forest.
Ta Dung is 70km north of Gia Nghia City.
2/ Dray Nur Waterfall, Dray Sap Waterfall, Gia Long Waterfall, Trinh Nu Waterfall
The system of waterfalls here include Dray Sap, Dray Nur, Trinh Nu… which are on the border between Dak Lak and Dak Nong Province and which can by day-tripped from Buon Ma Thuot City. These waterfalls are amid wild nature with patches of woods and some require pleasant hiking to visit.
It is possible to go white water rafting and biking in this region.
Where to stay, accommodations
Dak Nong Province has hotels with basic facilities most of which are located in Gia Nghia City.
How to get there
The easiest way to get to Dak Nong is by bus or private car from Ho Chi Minh City, which takes about 5-6 hours.
Gia Nghia Average Monthly Rainfalls and Temperatures
