The Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, one of the localities with the greatest potential for developing community-based and cultural tourism, has intensified investment in the field.
Dak Lak is famous for its many attractive sites, such as Lak Lake, Bim Bip Waterfall, Nam Ka Forest, Chu Yang Sin National Park, Buon Tua Sar Hydroelectric dam and Ba Tang military base.
Lak Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the province and the second largest in Viet Nam after Ba Be Lake. It is surrounded by high mountains covered with primeval forests. Jun, a famous village of the M'nong people, lies by the side of the lake, as do distinct historical architectural works like the palace of King Bao Dai and long houses of the M'nong people.
The lake retains the unique and characteristic cultural values of M'Nong and Ede people. From the Lak Lake tourist site, tourists can reach Jun village and stay at long houses or visit the palace.
During a recent conference discussing tourism development in the locality, participants stressed that Dak Lak must speed up its community-based tourism model, while paying attention to preserving natural landscapes as well as historical and cultural relic sites.
They also urged the local authorities to examine the organisation of cultural events, while diversifying products and services, and forging links between Dak Lak and other regional localities such as Gia Lai and Lam Dong to thoroughly exploit regional cultural values and beauty, thus attracting more holiday-makers to the locality.
In February this year, Dak Lak welcomed 40,000 visitors, an increase of 1.33 percent compared to the same period last year. Of them, 4,000 were foreigners, up 1.14 percent.