“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anonymous

Gia Lai Province

Location

Talk to Gia Lai province, people say about Bien Ho or called T’nung Lake. This is the largest lake in Central Highland where impressive tourists by the beautiful view and the rich fishery resources.
Gia Lia Province is located in the north of the Central Highland. The province is bordered with Quang Ngai Province, Binh Dinh Province and Phu Yen Province to the east, with Dak Lak to the south, with Kon Tum Province to the north and with Cambodia to the west.

  • Center city: Pleiku City.
  • Town and Districts: An Khe Town, Ayun Pa Town, Chua Pah District, Chu Prong District, Chu Se District, Dak Doa District, Chu Puh District, Phu Thien District, Mang Yang District, Krong Pa District, Kong Chro District, K’Bang District, Ia Pa District, Ia Grai District, Duc Co District and Dak Po District.
  • Tourist places: Pleiku City, Chu Se District and Mang Yang District
  • Climate: Gia Lai Province is in the tropical monsoon climate region with the typical climate of the Highland. There are the rain season from May to October and the dry time from November to April. The average temperature is from 22 C degree to 25 C degree. The best time for travelling in this province is from the dry time.
  • Transportation: Travel conveniently by land and airline to the province and from it to other provinces.

          The distance is for reference as below:
          From Pleiku Center, Gia Lai Province to the Pleiku airport: 6 km
          From Gia Lai to Ha Noi: 1.078 km
          From Gia Lai to Ho Chi Minh City: 540 km
          From Gia Lai to Dak Lak:  182 km
          From Gia Lai to Kon Tum:  47 km
          From Gia Lai to Phu Yen:  223 km
          From Gia Lai to Quang Ngai: 235 km
          From Gia Lai to Binh Dinh: 165 km
          From Gia Lai to Khanh Hoa: 297 km
          From Gia Lai to Lam Dong-Da Lat: 337 km
  • Population: There are the main groups who live together such as Kinh, Gia Lai, Ba Na, Tay, Nung, Muong, Thai, Dao and some small other ethnic groups.

Landscapes

To Nung Lake: Located far from Pleiku 9km to the north, along Route 14, To Nung Lake is the site of an extinct volcano that has been inactive for millions of years. The lake is filled with water so clear that we can see fishes swimming in water. With a depth between 20 and 40m, it is a natural container of fresh water fish. The fishing industry provides hundreds of tons of fish for local consumption. The landscape around the lake is unique and spectacular. Sailing boat on the lake to admire the landscape is an interesting activity for visitors.
Xung Khoeng Waterfall: Located in Chu Prong District, 30km southwest of Pleiku City, the Xung Khoeng Waterfall is about 40m high. From the distance, we can hear the echo of water- sound and pouring down water looks like a silky screen.
Ha Nung Nature Reserve: located in the 275,900 ha area, the nature reserve, Kon Ha Nung Nature Reserve is home to many kinds of flora and fauna, which are various, rare and valuable. Kon Ha Nung was localized into two nature reserves: Kon Ka Kinh and Kon Chrang, which are about 160,000 ha and considered the typical subtropical forests. There is Con River winding as well as rapids creating the beautiful landscapes surrounding.

Festivals:

  • Ăn trâu Festival (Buffalo-Stabbing Festival): Held at the Nha Rong (Communal House), Buffalo Stabbing Festival is a popular festival in the Central Highlands and the most well known cultural activity in the region. After the praying ceremonies for the deities, the buffalo is then brought to a column in the middle of the yard, where everyone dances to the sound of gongs. A buffalo-stabbing group consisting of young strong men armed with spears start the buffalo stabbing ceremony. The villagers kill the buffalo, which is sacrificed to Giang (God), and then they celebrate with a big feast. The Buffalo Feast Festival usually takes place for two or three days on some special occasions for the village or households to participate together.
  • An Com moi Festival: is held simply at the Nha Rong (Communal House) or villagers’ house after the harvest finishing. This is a festival to thank and pray for the harvest.

And there are many other unique festivals in the province.

Local specialties


There are different local specialties in the province such as Cơm Lam (bamboo-tube rice), Rượu Cần (local wine drunk out of a jar through pipes) and other typical specialties.