Spend a day exploring Gia Nghia city in Dak Nong province

If you find yourself crossing through Dak Nong and only have a single day to spend in Gia Nghia city, where would you make your must-visit destination?
Spend a day exploring Gia Nghia city in Dak Nong province
Last updated 14:08 20/05/2023 GMT+7

Dak Nong is the crossroads of National Highway 14, a direct line from Ho Chi Minh City through the Southeast provinces all the way up to the Central Highlands. On top of that, National Highway 28 runs through Dak Nong, connecting it to Lam Dong, Binh Thuan, and the Central Coast provinces. With a border spanning 130 km with our Cambodian neighbors, Bu Prang and Dak Peur are the two key border gates that welcome travelers into Dak Nong. And let's not forget about the M'Nong plateau terrain averages at around 600 to 700 meters above sea level and can reach 1,982 meters at Ta Dung.

Dak Nong has a Global Geopark across five districts and Gia Nghia city that covers 4,760 km² and includes around 65 geological heritage sites. The Dak Nong Global Geopark is known for its red land, tropical forest ecosystem, and unique cultural and historical features. It is the third global geopark in Vietnam, following the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark and the Non-Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark. A geopark is a natural area with geological heritage sites that are scientifically valuable and harmonious with the natural landscape, and also contain values of biodiversity, archaeology, history, culture, and social aspects. It has a suitable area for local economic development through tourism and related services. UNESCO recognizes national Geoparks meeting the criteria as Global Geoparks.

Gia Nghia, the jewel of Dak Nong province, is nestled in the southern region and is where highways 14 and 28 intersect, making it a go-to spot for travelers. The city boasts an impressive network of streams and ponds, which not only provide water for daily life and production, but also create stunning waterfalls like Lieng Nung, Three-Tier, Central Lake, and the Dak R'Tih hydroelectric power station. It's no wonder that the potential for tourism and hydropower is big here! And don't forget the weather - Gia Nghia's climate is cool and mild, with an average annual temperature of 22.4 degrees Celsius. It's a perfect place to chill, and enjoy the natural beauty all year round!

Chư Bluk volcanic cave in Dak Nong is the hidden gem of Southeast Asia - the longest volcanic cave in the region that's still uncharted, preserving its wild and awe-inspiring grandeur. Ta Dung Lake in Dak Nong is an interesting destination for travel enthusiasts to discover new things, located just one hour by car from Gia Nghia. With a vast area of over 5000 hectares, the lake boasts more than 40 different large and small islands and is home to many unique and rare species.

If you're interested in my trip to Ta Dung Lake, you can check out my article at https://vulehuan.com/en/blog/2022/08/du-lich-tu-tuc-3n3d-buon-ma-thuot-dak-lak-ta-dung-dak-nong-082022-9.html. However, in this article, I'm only sharing information about the sights in Gia Nghia.

In just one day, you can explore several must-see attractions in Gia Nghia, including:

  • The heroic monument of N'Trang Long,
  • Gia Nghia church,
  • Tea hill,
  • Pine hill,
  • Lieng Nung waterfall/Three-Tier waterfall,
  • and the lakes that along Highway 14.

At the time of sharing this information, the site of the heroic statue of N'Trang Long, the sheik who rallied the M'Nong people in their revolt against the French colonialists from 1912 to 1936, is still in the midst of construction. However, it already offers a stunning sight. Perched on top of Dak Nur hill in Gia Nghia city, the 20-meter-tall statue is built on a vast 5.9-hectare hilltop entirely from green stone. The main statue, standing proud at 13 meters, is accompanied by a 5.5-meter-tall relief that stretches an impressive 27 meters wide. At the bottom, the relief portrays the daily life and struggles of the Central Highlands ethnic groups as they battled against the invaders. It's a magnificent spectacle that pays a fitting homage to a hero!

The picturesque Gia Nghia church sits on a hill near the N'Trang Long hero statue. With a simple yet elegant design, the church overlooks the lake in the heart of the charming Gia Nghia city. From a distance, visitors can catch a glimpse of the Gia Nghia parish standing tall among the lush flowers and trees on the hilltop.

Gia Nghia tea hill, a free spot, allows visitors to take photos but also functions as a working location for local farmers. Visitors should be respectful and not litter or damage the tea beds. The tea hill offers a chance to enjoy the peaceful nature and beautiful scenery of the highlands. It is a must-visit destination for those who appreciate romantic natural surroundings.

Lieng Nung waterfall is made up of three clusters, with the main cluster being approximately 30 meters high. The waterfall looks stunning from afar, resembling a white silk strip that stretches along the rugged cliffs. Despite the challenging route to the falls, many young people shared that the view of the majestic and beautiful waterfall was worth the effort. What sets Lieng Nung waterfall apart is its folded rock geological structure, created by volcanic lava interacting with water. The waterfall cascades down a tall cliff, with a deep hollow that has been shaped into unique rock blocks mixed with vibrant green moss. The natural sound of the area adds to the overall experience, with the entire mountain and forest seemingly coming alive.

As of the writing of this article, the road leading to Lieng Nung waterfall is damaged and inaccessible by car. We had to walk a considerable distance, and therefore, we advise against solo travel to this area until the tourist area is reopened.

While driving on Highway 14, you'll come across many lakes and pine trees. To find the best spots for taking photos, you can ask the locals for recommendations or look them up on Google Maps beforehand. The photo below shows Dak Tik Lake and the pine trees near the Three-Tier Waterfall, which I captured during my trip.

The Three-Tier Waterfall, also known as Cua Than Waterfall, is a set of waterfalls on the Dak Nong River located in the Quang Thanh area. Its name comes from the three cascades the water flows through before falling into the stream bed below. The waterfall spans about 40 meters and features three successive waterfalls. The first is 1.5 meters high, followed by the second 20 meters away, which is 2 meters high. The largest and most impressive waterfall in the cluster is over 20 meters high. Visitors can enjoy the surrounding forest filled with old trees and open ground, which is a great spot for camping.

Regarding the food, there is a wide variety of dishes from different regions, making it rich and diverse. You can easily find restaurants that cater to your preferences in the central area.