Dak Nong

mr.hotsia travel Vietnam Đắk Nông HOT07525

Country
Vietnam

City/Province
Đắk Nông

Story Code
HOT07525

Author
mr.hotsia

Vietnamese Grilled Cuttlefish

Vietnamese Chicken Biryani

Vietnamese Fermented Pork in Straw

Dak Nong: A Peaceful City on the Vietnamese Highlands

When talking about Vietnam, many people think of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or Dalat. But for me, mr.hotsia, Dak Nong is a province worth discovering. Dak Nong is a new province established in 2004, so it still retains its peacefulness and abundant natural wilderness. I had the chance to visit here for one night on a central Vietnam trip and want to share about Gia Nghia city, the capital of this province.

Dak Nong is located on the Central Highlands of Vietnam, with an average elevation of about 500 meters above sea level. The weather is comfortably cool, averaging around 24 degrees Celsius year-round. What I like here is the landscape featuring hills, valleys, and wide grass plains, creating an open and unique atmosphere unlike other places in Vietnam. Gia Nghia city itself is situated in a valley, with a central lake and a river flowing through. The cool weather makes it perfect for a relaxed stroll without hurry.

Gia Nghia: A Quiet and Livable City

I stayed in Gia Nghia for one night, choosing an affordable accommodation for about 300 baht. The room was decent and comfortable. The atmosphere in this city feels like a forgotten rural town.Gia Nghia Morning MarketThe market is not very lively. There are stalls selling chicken, duck, fish, and fresh vegetables. Pork is abundant, with many pig heads displayed throughout the shops. I think because of the high altitude, fish are scarce, making the fish market quiet, unlike other places in Vietnam I have visited.

There are not many restaurants in this city, mostly noodle or rice soup shops. I walked across the bridge to the other side and found a duck offal noodle shop.Gia Nghia Duck Offal MacaroniIt looked interesting, so I stopped to try it. The taste was acceptable. It's a simple dish locals enjoy.

Taste Local Dishes Not to Miss

Gia Nghia Stir-fried Noodles with Eel SauceYes, this is a unique dish I have never encountered elsewhere. The eel poured over the hot fried noodles has no fishy smell and is well-seasoned. The flavor is rich and balanced. This dish impressed me the most in this city. The restaurant is near the morning market, easy to reach, and almost always busy. I recommend watching the clip I filmed on the website to see the professional stir-frying technique.

Additionally, there is a dessert calledGia Nghia Custardwhich I also tried. This dessert has a specific name in Vietnam, but I simply call it custard because of its sweet and creamy taste. It is topped with shaved ice, making it very refreshing and perfect for the cool weather here. I found this dessert at a roadside shop popular among locals. It is a dessert not to miss when visiting Gia Nghia.

Travel and Memories from Dak Nong

I, mr.hotsia, arrived in Gia Nghia by bus from a nearby city. The bus station is located in a small valley about 2-3 kilometers from the city center. You can rent a motorbike or take a taxi conveniently. There are not many vehicles here, and the atmosphere feels peaceful like a truly forgotten town.

Originally, I planned to stay here for several nights to write a complete travel story, but I changed my mind and continued to Dalat because it has cooler weather and more diverse attractions, suitable for a longer stay. However, Dak Nong and Gia Nghia remain cities that impressed me with their simplicity and natural charm, which is rare in Vietnam's big cities.

Summary

If you are looking for a quiet destination with good weather, simple lifestyle, and excellent local food, Dak Nong and Gia Nghia are your answers. mr.hotsia recommends stopping by to experience the atmosphere of this small city once. You will find that traveling to less famous destinations sometimes offers a special and more memorable feeling than expected.