Places to See and Stay: The Central Highlands - Vietnam

Vietnam’s mountainous midriff isn’t the first region that most visitors consider exploring but after a hot and humid stint in the south or coastal plains they provide an enjoyable temperate alternative. The region (home to many ethnic minority groups or Montagnards to use the collective name given to them by the French) is renowned for its cool climate, mist-laden mountain scenery, innumerable lakes and waterfalls and friendly locals, making a visit here very appealing. Although the population is relatively small the area has always been considered strategically important as it borders Laos and Cambodia to the west, so it is not surprising that during the American War considerable fighting took place around Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku and Kon Tum. Despite this the area has retained much of its natural beauty and has only been open to foreign visitors for a little over ten years.