Kon Tum

With its river setting and relatively traffic-free streets, relaxed Kon Tum makes a great stop for travelers intent on exploring the surrounding hill-tribe villages, of which there are 700 or so dotting the area – mostly Bahnar, but also Sedang and Jarai. This is a far better base than Pleiku for delving into indigenous culture, and there are a few intriguing sights in Kon Tum itself.

The region saw its share of combat during the American War. A major battle between the South and North Vietnamese took place in and around Kon Tum in the spring of 1972, when the area was devastated by American B-52 raids.

Explore Kon Tum

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Kon Tum Museum
This museum is one of the region's best, with good lighting and clear English text detailing local religious and spiritual life, including displays on the…
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Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Built entirely from wood, this stunning cathedral from the French era has a dark frontage, gold trim and wide colonnades. Known to the locals as the …
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Kon K'tu
Nine kilometres southeast of Kon Tum, the village of Kon K'tu is reachable across the Kon K'lor suspension bridge and along a potholed road. There's a…
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Ya Chim
Ya Chim is the collective name for a group of eight Jarai villages that start 17km southwest of Kon Tum. In them you'll find traditional nghia trang …
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Kon K'lor
Near the suspension bridge across the river you'll find a large rong in the village of Kon K'lor.
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Kon Tum Konam
In the eastern suburbs of Kon Tum, this village has a large and appealing rong.
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Kon Harachot
Kon Harachot's beautiful rong sits next to the rustic football field.
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Catholic Seminary
This lovely old Catholic seminary was built in 1934. The upstairs normally functions as an absorbing museum of hill-tribe life, but was closed for…
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Kon Jodreh
Northeast of Kon Tum, this village has a small rong and you can observe tranquil riverside activities. It's a poor place, even by local standards, so not…

K
Kon Tum Museum
This museum is one of the region's best, with good lighting and clear English text detailing local religious and spiritual life, including displays on the…
I
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Built entirely from wood, this stunning cathedral from the French era has a dark frontage, gold trim and wide colonnades. Known to the locals as the …
K
Kon K'tu
Nine kilometres southeast of Kon Tum, the village of Kon K'tu is reachable across the Kon K'lor suspension bridge and along a potholed road. There's a…
Y
Ya Chim
Ya Chim is the collective name for a group of eight Jarai villages that start 17km southwest of Kon Tum. In them you'll find traditional nghia trang …
K
Kon K'lor
Near the suspension bridge across the river you'll find a large rong in the village of Kon K'lor.
K
Kon Tum Konam
In the eastern suburbs of Kon Tum, this village has a large and appealing rong.
K
Kon Harachot
Kon Harachot's beautiful rong sits next to the rustic football field.
C
Catholic Seminary
This lovely old Catholic seminary was built in 1934. The upstairs normally functions as an absorbing museum of hill-tribe life, but was closed for…
K
Kon Jodreh
Northeast of Kon Tum, this village has a small rong and you can observe tranquil riverside activities. It's a poor place, even by local standards, so not…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Kon Tum.

See
Kon Tum Museum
This museum is one of the region's best, with good lighting and clear English text detailing local religious and spiritual life, including displays on the…
See
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Built entirely from wood, this stunning cathedral from the French era has a dark frontage, gold trim and wide colonnades. Known to the locals as the …
See
Kon K'tu
Nine kilometres southeast of Kon Tum, the village of Kon K'tu is reachable across the Kon K'lor suspension bridge and along a potholed road. There's a…
See
Ya Chim
Ya Chim is the collective name for a group of eight Jarai villages that start 17km southwest of Kon Tum. In them you'll find traditional nghia trang …
See
Kon K'lor
Near the suspension bridge across the river you'll find a large rong in the village of Kon K'lor.
See
Kon Tum Konam
In the eastern suburbs of Kon Tum, this village has a large and appealing rong.
See
Kon Harachot
Kon Harachot's beautiful rong sits next to the rustic football field.
See
Catholic Seminary
This lovely old Catholic seminary was built in 1934. The upstairs normally functions as an absorbing museum of hill-tribe life, but was closed for…
See
Kon Jodreh
Northeast of Kon Tum, this village has a small rong and you can observe tranquil riverside activities. It's a poor place, even by local standards, so not…