Tet travel guide in Vietnam - from forests to sea in Dak Lak

THE HANOI TIMES — Dak Lak offers a rare Tet (the Lunar New Year) journey that moves from vast Central Highlands forests in the west to calm blue seas in the east, blending nature and culture into a fresh holiday experience.

The west of the  Dak Lak sets the tone for the new year with mild highland chill and a slower rhythm of life. Visitors often find themselves drawn to stilt houses and evening fires, a setting that feels intimate and grounding.

The World Coffee Museum in Buon Ma Thuot, a new landmark of the so-called global coffee capital, will be a key stop for visitors.

Inspired by Ede longhouses and Central Highlands communal houses, the museum tells the story of coffee culture worldwide while standing out as a striking architectural space. During Tet, it often hosts brewing performances and cultural exhibitions that engage all the senses.

From Buon Ma Thuot, the journey continues to  Buon Don, where spring seems to settle gently over each village. Hanging bridges cross the Serepok River, century-old stilt houses remain in use and local legends are shared with visitors.

Remarkably, Dak Lak has shifted away from elephant riding in favor of humane tourism models, allowing guests to walk with elephants, feed them and observe their daily routines more respectfully.

For those drawn to raw natural power, the  Dray Nur - Dray Sap waterfall complex is a highlight. Water plunges from great heights through deep forest, creating a dramatic landscape softened by wildflowers that appear along forest paths in spring.

After these intense impressions, Lak Lake offers a quieter pause. There, morning mist or glowing sunsets turn the water into a mirror, best explored by a dugout canoe.

As Vietnam's second-largest natural freshwater lake, it is also home to Mnong communities in Jun and Le villages, where daily life and lakeside cuisine add depth to the western leg of the journey.

Leaving the red basalt plateau behind, travelers head east toward a gentler landscape often compared to yellow flowers on green grass. Tet by the sea feels slower and warmer, shaped by the easy smiles of residents.

Meanwhile, in Tuy Hoa Ward, Nghinh Phong Tower has emerged as a new architectural symbol. Inspired by Ganh Da Dia and the Lac Long Quan - Au Co legend, the structure features modern hexagonal stone blocks designed to interact with sea winds. It is equally appealing at sunrise and after dark.

Welcoming the first sunlight of the lunar year at Mui Dien and Dai Lanh Lighthouse is a meaningful Tet experience. From the height, the open sea stretches endlessly, evoking a sense of renewal and hope.

Nearby, Nhan Tower reflects the quiet elegance of Cham architecture and hosts cultural activities during the holiday season.

No eastern journey is complete without Ganh Da Dia. The site showcases unique stacked basalt columns where clear blue water meets gentle waves, creating one of the most distinctive coastal scenes in Vietnam.

In western Dak Lak, specialties including grilled chicken with ant salt and chili, bamboo-tube rice, grilled wild pork and cassava leaves stir-fried with dried fish carry bold mountain flavors.

To the east, visitors can enjoy stewed tuna eyeballs with herbs, fresh tuna dishes, Hoa Da banh hoi with pork offal and seafood from O Loan Lagoon.

A Tet journey from forest to sea in Dak Lak is a return to essential values, where gong echoes from the highlands meet the sound of waves, offering space to recharge and begin the new year with renewed energy.