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Kon Tum

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City
—°11
Kon Tum (Vietnam)
ℹ️

Practical info — Kon Tum

▾

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Rent a motorbike to easily reach the surrounding Bahnar ethnic minority villages.
  • Always ask for permission from the village elders before entering a communal Rong house.
  • The Central Highlands get chilly in the evenings, so pack a light jacket.
  • Visit the wooden church in the late afternoon for the best warm lighting for photos.

🍽 Food

🍽
Xoi Mang (Sticky rice with bamboo)

A local breakfast specialty found around the central market.

🍽
Goi La (Leaves salad)

A complex dish with over 40 types of leaves, served at specialized local restaurants.

🍽
Highland coffee

Enjoy robusta coffee at cafes overlooking the Dak Bla River.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Bahnar brocade weaving

Buy traditional textiles directly from artisans in the nearby villages.

🛍
Coffee beans

Locally grown beans available in the town's markets and cafes.

🧘
Dak Bla riverside

A calm area for a walk, especially near the suspension bridge.

🧘
Wooden Church garden

A peaceful green oasis right in the city center.

Kon Tum is located in the northern part of Vietnam's Central Highlands and is celebrated for its rich ethnic diversity and impressive sacred architecture. The city is profoundly shaped by the presence of the Ba Na and Jarai ethnic groups, whose traditional communal houses, known as Nha Rong, feature soaring, steep roofs that dominate the landscape. A premier architectural highlight is the famous Kon Tum Wooden Church, built in 1913 by French missionaries, representing a unique fusion of Romanesque style and local Ba Na architectural elements. Geographically, the city is bisected by the Dak Bla River, which possesses a rare characteristic: it flows from east to west, contrary to the typical direction of rivers in Vietnam. The region was a site of intense conflict during the Vietnam War, particularly during the Battle of Kon Tum in 1972, highlighting the city's strategic historical importance. Today, Kon Tum serves as a gateway to pristine national parks and is a vital center for coffee and rubber production.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C192123252525242423222119
Rain mm2610172151688613116722817587

Geography

Population
205,762 (2025)
Coordinates
14.35000, 108.00000

Facts

  • The Kon Tum Wooden Church was constructed entirely without the use of nails.
  • The Dak Bla River is the only river in Vietnam that flows westward.
  • The Kon Tum Museum houses over 2,000 distinct ethnological artifacts.
  • The Battle of Kon Tum took place from May to June in 1972.
  • Kon Tum was officially designated as a city (Class-3) in 2005.
  • The province is home to more than 20 different ethnic minority groups.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

PleikuPleiku13 km · EExplore →
Mỹ Sơn SanctuaryMỹ Sơn Sanctuary49 km · WExplore →
Yok Đôn National ParkYok Đôn National Park56 km · SEExplore →
Golden BridgeGolden Bridge57 km · WExplore →
Dong Amphan National ParkDong Amphan National Park58 km · SExplore →
Buon Ma Thuot Coffee PlantationsBuon Ma Thuot Coffee Plantations58 km · EExplore →
Dong Amphan National Biodiversity AreaDong Amphan National Biodiversity Area60 km · SWExplore →
Hòa LiênHòa Liên61 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Kon Tum (11)

Kon Tum Museum🏛 museum

The Kon Tum Museum displays exhibits on the unique culture and traditional artifacts of the Central Highlands' ethnic minorities.

Bishop of Kontum's Building📍 landmark

This historic attraction in Kon Tum is notable for its distinct blend of French colonial and traditional wooden indigenous architecture.

🕒 Mo-Su 08:00-11:30, 14:30-17:00

Highland Eco Tours📍 landmark

Highland Eco Tours operates an excursion base in Kon Tum, offering guided treks through the lush Central Highlands.

Kon Tum Cathedral⛪ religious

Commonly known as the Wooden Church, this Catholic cathedral in Kon Tum was built completely from rosewood in 1913.

Kon Tum Prison🏛 museum

This historical museum complex preserves the remains of the colonial-era Kon Tum Prison where political prisoners were once held.

Chùa Phước Lâm📍 landmark

Chùa Phước Lâm is a serene Buddhist site in Kon Tum featuring ornate curved roofs and a calm prayer hall.

Convent of Saint Paul⛪ religious

The Convent of Saint Paul is a peaceful religious complex in Kon Tum where Catholic nuns maintain tranquil garden grounds.

Hội dòng Ảnh Phép Lạ (Ảnh Vảy)⛪ religious

This distinct Catholic congregation building in Kon Tum serves as a gathering place of worship for local parishioners.

Tet flower market🎭 culture

During the lunar new year season, this lively marketplace in Kon Tum brims with colorful blooming Tet flowers.

Nguyen Trai ward market🎭 culture

This local marketplace in the Nguyen Trai ward features daily fresh produce and everyday household goods for Kon Tum residents.

Thang Loi Ward Market🎭 culture

A neighbourhood marketplace in Thang Loi Ward where vendors gather to sell fresh groceries and local street food.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Kon Tum located?
Kon Tum is located in the central highlands of Vietnam, surrounded by mountains and forests.
What is the most famous architectural sight?
The wooden church of Kon Tum, a fascinating blend of European and local style.
Can you meet indigenous people?
Yes, various ethnic minorities like the Bahnar live in the villages around Kon Tum.
What is the weather like in Kon Tum?
The highland climate is cooler than in coastal regions, with dry and wet seasons.
What are typical souvenirs?
Traditional handicrafts, weavings, and local coffee from the mountains.
Kon Tum: where is it located?
Kon Tum is located in Vietnam.
Kon Tum: what is there to see?
Highlights include Kon Tum Museum, Bishop of Kontum's Building, Highland Eco Tours.
Kon Tum: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Mar.
Kon Tum: why is it worth visiting?
Kon Tum is located in the northern part of Vietnam's Central Highlands and is celebrated for its rich ethnic diversity and impressive sacred architecture.
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Nearby cities

Pleiku — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Pleiku
Pleiku is the heart of the Central Highlands, known for its cool lakes, vast coffee plantations, and the rich culture of indigenous ethni…
Hòa Liên — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Hòa Liên
A scenic coastal area in Da Nang, featuring hidden coves and rugged natural beauty.
Điện Bàn Đông Ward — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Điện Bàn Đông Ward
A serene coastal area in Central Vietnam, known for the exclusive Vanessa Beach and premium luxury resorts.
Da Nang — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Da Nang
Major port city on the central coast with modern beaches and bridges.
Chan May - Lang Co — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Chan May - Lang Co
A stunning lagoon commune between Da Nang and Hue, famous for Lăng Cô Bay and luxury resorts.
Thăng An Commune — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Thăng An Commune
A rural coastal community in Quảng Nam province, known for its pristine sandy beaches and traditional fishing villages.
An Khê — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
An Khê
A town in Gia Lai province in the Central Highlands, historically known for the An Khê Pass.

History & landmarks

Golden Bridge — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Golden Bridge
A stunning pedestrian bridge in the Bà Nà Hills, seemingly held aloft by two giant stone hands.
Marble Mountains — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Marble Mountains
A cluster of five marble and limestone hills in Da Nang, named after the five elements.

Nature

My Khe Beach — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
My Khe Beach
A long, wide sandy beach in Da Nang, used as a recreational spot by American troops during the Vietnam War and now a popular tourist dest…

More places

Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary
A cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Hindu temples constructed between the 4th and 14th century.
Yok Đôn National Park — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Yok Đôn National Park
Vietnam's largest national park, consisting mainly of dry dipterocarp forest.
Dong Amphan National Park — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Dong Amphan National Park
One of the most remote and least explored protected areas in southeastern Laos, harboring dense forests and rich wildlife.
Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Plantations — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Plantations
Buôn Ma Thuột is considered the 'coffee capital' of Vietnam, surrounded by vast plantations producing the country's famous Robusta beans.
🗺️
Dong Amphan National Biodiversity Area
A remote and densely forested nature reserve where rare predators and untouched crater lakes can be found.
Japanese Covered Bridge — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Japanese Covered Bridge
An iconic bridge in Hội An, constructed by the Japanese community in the early 17th century.
Bạch Mã National Park — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Bạch Mã National Park
A national park in central Vietnam stretching from the coast to the Annamite Mountains.
Da Nang Port — Kon Tum (Vietnam)
Da Nang Port
The largest port in Central Vietnam, serving the region's economic zone and the East-West Economic Corridor.