Kon Vong Kia Village, home to the Xo Dang ethnic group, in Kon Plong District, Kon Tum Province, has emerged as a favourite destination for many visitors to the town of Mang Den.
Nuoc Long Stream, winding through the terraced fields, provides water and fertile soil for farming (Photo: thesaigontimes.vn)
From Mang Den Town, tourists can easily reach Kon Vong Kia by motorbike or car within a short time. Kon Vong Kia Village comprises three hamlets: Kon Vong, Kon Kia, and Kon Pec.
The village lies in a vast valley surrounded by hills and mountain ranges, with the gentle Nuoc Long Stream creating a picturesque landscape.
The three bridges in the village - Kon Doa, Y Bay, and Kon Pec - not only facilitate convenient travel but also serve as attractive landmarks due to their elegant designs. Terraced fields, rolling hills, and large grassy areas where water buffaloes leisurely bask in the sun contribute to the village’s pristine and peaceful charm.
Currently, there are nearly 150 households with about 500 residents, most of whom belong to the Xo Dang ethnic group. Their way of life relies on farming, producing only one rice crop per year, which depends on natural water sources from nearby streams
In recent years, the community-based tourism has developed in the village, with the establishment of homestays, experiential activities, and home-cooked cuisine. Local families join together to boost their economic situation through tourism.
The village now has over 10 homestays and groups of households offering culinary services, cultural experiences, traditional musical instruments, and handicrafts.
From late April, the weather is favourable for sightseeing, taking photos, and immersing oneself in the daily life of the villagers.
May and June are the best time to visit Kon Vong Kia, as the long rainy season ends, making roads less slippery and easier to travel.
The village has gong ensembles that preserve the unique cultural heritage and deliver performances to tourists. (Photo: Tho dia Mang Den)
Visitors to Kon Vong Kia Village can immerse themselves in its spectacular landscapes and enjoy various activities, including checking in at the picturesque suspension bridges, admiring terraced fields nestled in the mountains, trekking through Mang Den’s lush forests, exploring rural trails, or visiting local waterfalls and grassy hills to fully embrace the stunning surroundings.
In addition to admiring the beautiful scenery and breathing fresh air amid lush greenery, visitors can also join villagers in planting rice, fishing, catching crab, and hunting frog, as well as enjoy the traditional arts of the Xo Dang ethnic people. The village has gong ensembles that preserve the unique cultural heritage and deliver performances to tourists.
Additionally, there are many distinctive festivals such as the new rice festival, the celebration of new buffalo pens, and the water dock ceremony, which allow visitors to explore and experience local life.
Khoi Minh - Translated by NDO