Pleiku Travel

Pleiku Weather Overview

The climate is tropical in Pleiku. The summers are much rainier than the winters in Pleiku. The wet season is muggy and overcast, the dry season is humid and partly cloudy, and it is hot year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 15°C to 23°C and is rarely below 13°C or above 25°C.

The hot season lasts from early April until the end of May, with an average daily high temperature above 22°C. The hottest days of the year are around the middle of April, with an average high of 23°C and low of 17°C.

The cool season lasts from early November to late January, with an average daily high temperature below 21°C. The coldest days of the year are around the middle of January, with an average low of 15°C and high of 21°C.

The wetter season lasts from the end of August to early December, with a greater than 23% chance of a given day being a wet day. The chance of a wet day peaks at 45% on October 15.

The drier season lasts from early December to late August. The smallest chance of a wet day is 2% on February 19.

Check the below table for the general idea of Pleiku weather throughout the year:

Best time to go to Pleiku

The best time to visit Pleiku is during the dry season from November to late March. This is because the windy, dry and cold weather allows people to enjoy the outdoor activities and places in this highland region. The monsoon season goes on for the rest of the month, making it inconvenient for visitors to enjoy their trip, especially during August and September when their is peak rainfall.

Pleiku Current Weather & 7-day Forecast

PLEIKU WEATHER

Pleiku does not receive a lot of tourists. The select individuals who do get to this town quickly discover that while there are not many attractions, most of them is the real place to unwind after a long travel day.

As the capital of Gia Lai, Pleiku offers the most things to do and tourism services, especially around the Sea Lake. Pleiku and Gia Lai definitely should be on your bucket list if you’re seeking for off-beaten-track destinations in Vietnam.

1. Get some fresh air at T’Nung Lake (Sea Lake)

Not just a tourist destination, T’Nung Lake or Sea Lake is also an inspiration for musicians. The lake is the object of admiration in the famous Vietnamese song ‘Pleiku’s Eyes’ in which the lyricist compared the lake to the eyes of a young beautiful girl.

T’Nung Lake is located at Bien Ho Commune, on an altitude of 800m, covering a total area of 250 hectares (reaching 400 hectares in rainy season) with 18m depth, the lake is a true sight to behold. The lake is actually an oval-shaped crater of an extinct volcano. The blue and clear water of the lake is the reason for it to get the nickname ‘Pleiku’s Eye’.
A legend related to the lake has it that is about a village where people lived happily together but was destroyed by a volcano eruption; then the lake was formed by the tears of ones who survived cried for their lost ones.

The path leading to the lake has such a beautiful and peaceful setting with two rows of pine trees. Come to T’Nung Lake to enjoy the quiet landscape, fresh air and peaceful landscape. A special thing to do in T’Nung is boating under the moonlight.

2. Climb Ham Rong Mountain (Dragon’s Jaw)

Ham Rong or Dragon’s Jaw Mount is only 11 kilometers south of Pleiku, making it a perfect day trip from the capital of Gia Lai. Lying on the national highway 14B, the mountain has an easy accessibility for trekkers and climbers. As an extinct volcano, Ham Rong Mount is blessed with a typical appearance of a volcanic crater covered in green trees. During war, the mountain was taken to be a military base of US troops (Camp Enari, the former headquarters of the US 4th Infantry Division). Today, it’s a provincial telecommunications transmitting center.

On an altitude of over 1000m above the sea, the air on the mountaintop is so refreshing with white clouds laden. From there, you can take in the panoramic views of the city below. The path leading up to the mountaintop is filled with da quy flower blooms from October to November, making it a beautiful sight to behold and a spot for photography.

3. Admire the unique architecture of Minh Thanh Pagoda

Located on Nguyen Viet Xuan Street, Pleiku city, Minh Thanh pagoda was built in 1964 and known for its beautiful Taiwanese architecture which is quite rare to be found in Vietnam.

In the pagoda’s courtyard stands a 40m high Chedi tower which can be seen even from afar and a 16m high presbytery resembling a blooming lotus. The presbytery houses a bell house, many statues and a lake garden. All the tiles on this pagoda’s roof are glazed with dark green tint. The pagoda interior is well arranged and the there are many beautiful corners for you to pose. A must-see site in Pleiku city.

4. Trek to Kon Ka Kinh National Park

Kon Ka Kinh National Park at Ayun Commune, Mang Yang District, 50km away from Pleiku is the paradise for adventurers who love beautiful landscape and rich wildlife. Covering an area of almost 42,000 hectares, Kon Ka Kinh has been named as one of ASEAN Heritage Parks since 2003 with other three parks in Vietnam – Ba Be, Chu Mom Ray and Hoang Lien. The highest point in the national park is Kon Ka Kinh peak on a height of 1748m above the sea.

The park is blessed with a wide range of bio-diversity of flora and fauna: 687 flora species of 459 genus and 140 families including 24 precious and rare species; 428 animal species of which 223 species are of vertebrates living on land and 205 species Invertebrates.

On your trekking path, you can see many kinds of landscape like winding rivers, silver waterfalls, and clean streams. When you’re on the top of Kon Ka Kinh peak, in front of your eyes will be the grandiose scenery of Truong Son mountain range.

5. Admire the mighty beauty of 50 Waterfall in Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve

If you even more challenging experience in Gia Lai, why not trek to K50 Waterfall in Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve. The path leading to this fall is not an easy feat but the reward is so satisfying.

K50 is located on the border of Gia Lai and Binh Dinh, separated from the world by a thick forest and steep slopes. You’ll have to ride motorbike for one hour than trek on foot for 3 hours more inside the national park. The whole trip to K50 waterfall might take 2 days and one night for experienced trekkers.

The beauty of K50 waterfall is kept intact from tourism, thanks to its remote location. The fall is singled out from its surroundings, making it even outstanding when you see it. The delicate water streams dropping from the top of a large cave and falling into a mirror lake at the bottom which is surrounded by big boulders and green trees. K50 is about 54m high (higher than Dray Nur) and 20m-100m wide depending on the water volume. Come here, travelers can’t help to feel overwhelmed by the clean water and the primitive forest here.

6. Soak up Ba Na cultural air at De K’tu Village

De K’Tu Village is home to one of the four traditional Ba Na communities in Kon Dong town, located about 35 kilometers away from Pleiku following national highway 19 towards Quy Nhon.

De K’Tu’s Rong House is the main draw of the village, decorated nicely with high-gabled roof and typical patterns of Na Na ethnic. Rong house is a type of communal house only seen in Central Highlands gathering the villagers to come and enjoy in most important events. Near the house the people here placed the jars of Can wine used only in the most exciting events.

On the west of the village is the grave house, much smaller than Rong House but holds equal importance and cultural value.

7. Visit Dong Xanh Cultural Village

Dong Xanh cultural village is the small Central Highlands with most celebrated cultural features displayed here. Situated 10km from Pleiku, belonged to An Phu Commune, Dong Xanh shouldn’t be missed on your trip.

Covering a total area of 8ha, Dong Xanh brings all the provinces of Central Highlands into one places. Here and there are Rong Houses, tomb houses, and wooden sculptures displayed. Many flowers and plants of the area are planted around the miniature mountains, lotus lakes, fountain, pavilion, and gardens harmoniously. You can find here the iconic T’rung instruments which is famous across the country has long been considered as the symbol of Central Highlands.

8. Enjoy picnic time at Phu Cuong Waterfall

If the K50 waterfall is too remote for you to visit, Phu Cuong Waterfall is a great alternative which is much closer (40km away from Pleiku city, inside Phu Cuong Waterfall Ecotourism Area) much less challenging. The water drops from a height of 45m into a small lake at the bottom. In rainy season, the larger volume of water makes the fall more powerful but in dry season, it becomes a delicate white silk scarf on the rocky edge. 

9. Buffalo-Stabbing Festival

Central Highlands is home to many authentic and unique festivals, one of which is Buffalo Stabbing Festival of Ba Na ethnic people.

The even often occupies on the ground in front Rong House and is to remember the village founders, ancestors and to celebrate the bumper after harvest season. A buffalo is tied to a tall bamboo pole at the middle of the ground, decorated with flowers, leaves, colorful flags, banners and rattles. On the pole’s top is a phoenix often made by bamboo or wood. This pole is very similar to the north’s New Year Cay Neu. The buffalo must be of Liangbiang breed, cleaned and fed before the event. On the second day morning, strong men of the village will use long darts to stab the buffalo to death. The meat will be shared to all villagers.

This festival often lasts for two or three days on special occasion for the village.

10. Leaving Tomb Festival

From March to April every year – a long time after the harvest, leaving tomb festival will take place to send the soul of family’s deceased away. When a family member dies, his soul still remains with the family and the living ones will talk to him every night and let him join every activity of the family. With the festival, the family will say goodbye to the dead and move on with their life. People will go to the forest to choose the best woods to make wooden statues around the tomb house of the dead. Villagers will sing and dance in the whole three days of the festival as a send-off. After that, family members see themselves having no connection to the dead.

Since Pleiku is not developed as a major tourist destination yet, everything is highly affordable and offers a great deal. But this does not limit your convenience at all, every service is available for the best experience possible. 

Budget options

ELISA HOTEL 

Add: Hai Bà Trưng 7/1, Pleiku, Vietnam

Set in Pleiku, ELISA HOTEL features 2-star accommodation with private balconies. Featuring room service, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service, a shared kitchen and free WiFi.

The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. At the hotel every room includes a wardrobe and a private bathroom.

Cao Nguyen Hotel - Gia Lai 

Add: 16 Hoàng Văn Thụ, Pleiku, Vietnam

Set in Pleiku, less than 1 km from Pleiku Stadium, Cao Nguyen Hotel - Gia Lai offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a shared lounge. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, room service and luggage storage for guests.

All guest rooms in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. At Cao Nguyen Hotel - Gia Lai the rooms come with a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.

At the accommodation guests are welcome to take advantage of a sauna.

Hoài Thương Hotel 

Add: 113 Trường Chinh, Pleiku, Vietnam

Situated in Pleiku, 2.3 km from Pleiku Stadium, Hoài Thương Hotel provides accommodation with a terrace and free private parking. Featuring a garden, the 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange for guests.

At the hotel rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV with cable channels.

Mid-range options

Mekong Gia Lai Hotel 

Add: 102/2 Le Duan, Pleiku City, Pleiku, Vietnam

Located in Plei Khưn, Mekong Gia Lai Hotel features a garden and terrace. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, room service and free WiFi. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.

Guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. At the hotel each room is fitted with a private bathroom with free toiletries.

Boston Hotel 

Add: 212 Sư Vạn Hạnh, Pleiku, Vietnam

Set in Pleiku, less than 1 km from Pleiku Stadium, Boston Hotel offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can make use of a bar.

The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower and a desk. At the hotel every room has a wardrobe and a private bathroom.

Guests at Boston Hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast.

The accommodation offers 3-star accommodation with a hot tub and terrace.

Pleiku & Em Hotel 

Add: 86 Nguyen Van Troi, Hoi Thuong ward, Pleiku, Vietnam

Set in Pleiku, Gia Lai region, Pleiku & Em Hotel is situated 300 m from Pleiku Stadium. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.

Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast.

Khách Sạn Hoàng Nhi 

Add: 168 Tô Vĩnh Diện 168, Pleiku, Vietnam

Set in Pleiku, 2.9 km from Pleiku Stadium, Khách Sạn Hoàng Nhi offers accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking and a terrace. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service and free WiFi. Guests can enjoy city views.

At the hotel, all rooms are fitted with a desk and a TV. The units will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle.

Pleiku is not especially known for its cuisine, it is just because not many tourists visit this place. Believe us, if you dig deep enough, there are plenty of secret unforgettable dishes that can fulfill your taste. Let's check out some of the most famous dishes here.

#1 - Pho Kho – Dried Noodles

Many of you may be familiar with the widespread fame of Vietnamese noodles – pho, a hot bowl of noodles with nicely cut slices of beef or chicken on the top and nourishing soup to balance out the starchy nature of the noodles. Here in Pleiku, we use a whole different set of ingredients for this dish, which I believe has become most symbolic in this small town.

The noodles are smaller in size, yet have a tough texture and bear a strong resemblance to Saigon’s famous local food hu tieu. However, Pleiku-ers have added quite a number of details to this dish and made it one of the city’s food culture highlights. It will be served as two separate portions: one bowl for noodles with ground meat and fried onions on top; the other for broth with deliciously rare beef slices, and of course with a plate of fresh vegetables and herbs included.  

Before becoming amazed by its delightfulness, you have to take a few steps which are rather simple and easy but have extreme power to boost the taste. For the noodle bowl, add soy sauce and chili paste to season it yourself, but be careful with the soy sauce, it can be salty depending on the brand. Then mix them together so the noodles can sufficiently absorb the seasoning.

For the soup part, just squeeze some lime juice into the broth. You must know one more important thing about this dish. You’ll dip the beef in Pleiku-style black soybean paste, and this is what makes one pho kho restaurant stand out from the crowd of numerous places in the city. As long as the bean paste is extraordinary, other elements of the dish can be compensated and therefore the dish’s quality won’t be badly affected.  Now after you’re done with this process, raise your chopsticks and start enjoying!

Where to eat it?

+ Pho Hong

• Address: 22 Nguyen Van Troi, Hoi Thuong ward, Pleiku city
• Phone number: 090 542 39 39
• Opening hours: 6 AM to 3 PM

+ Pho Hiep

• Address: 34 Nguyen Du, Tay Son ward, Pleiku city
• Opening hours: 8 AM to 9 PM

+ Pho Kho Be Tu

• Address: 210 Phan Dinh Phung, Yen Do ward, Pleiku city
• Phone number: 0269 3883 126
• Opening hours: 6 AM to 10 PM

+ Pho Nu

• Address: 50 Nguyen Du, Tay Son ward, Pleiku city
• Opening hours: 6 AM to 9 PM

+ Pho Kho Ngoc Son (This one specializes in chicken)

• Address: 15 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi Thuong ward, Pleiku city
• Opening hours: 24/7

Price range: 30,000 – 40,000 VND

#2 - Bun Cua – Freshwater Crab Vermicelli

This dish has an extremely distinct and recognizable smell that will either make you fall in love with it or simply help you build an urge to vomit. Similar to the fabulous durian, if you love it, you love it; but if you hate it, you might as well put the whole area in quarantine. People in Pleiku have even developed a saying: “the smellier it gets, the better it is”. So I have to say this dish is tricky, yet to be called a Pleiku visitor, you have to add bun cua to your list.

The main ingredient is freshwater crab, however, do not expect nicely cooked crab on the top as its name may fool you. What you should expect is a brown black soup after those crabs are ground and gradually stewed with spices. This special dish is also served with bamboo shoots to stabilize the bold flavor with fresh vegetables on the side like many traditional Vietnamese meals. Just when you think you have had enough of bun cua, a handful of crispy fried pork rinds will change your mind. They are often put on top of a freshwater crab vermicelli bowl to balance the smell and maybe, unleash your eating spree.

Here are some tips for you to enjoy this dish to the fullest.

Pro tips:

Do NOT dress in white clothes. This is essential. Let’s just assume you love bun cua like me, you might also love going home with a washable stain if you drop some soup on your shirt.

Refrain from wearing lipstick. Trust me, there’s no need to be beautiful when you’re having this dish. Everyone else may as well be focusing only on their own bowls.

Bring chewing gum or mints along to keep your breath fresh again after enjoying bun cua.

Recommended places:

+ Bun Cua Cho Nho

• Address: 19 Phung Hung, Hoi Thuong ward, Pleiku city
• Opening hours: 2 PM to 8 PM

+ Bun Cua Quyet Tien

• Address: 57 Quyet Tien, Iakring ward, Pleiku city
• Opening hours: 12 PM to 7 PM

+ Bun Cua Phan Dinh Phung

• Address: 87 Phan Dinh Phung, Tay Son ward, Pleiku city
• Opening hours: 2 PM to 7 PM

Price range: 15,000 – 20,000 VND

#3 - Braised Escargot

Escargot is actually a dish cooked from snails and considered a delicacy in Western countries, but when it comes to Pleiku – a small town in the middle of Vietnam, escargot is well-known as a tasty street food. As fancy as it gets in France or Spain, escargot in Pleiku is more affordable yet delicious to many diners. Going to our favorite braised escargot house with my friends after school is one of my sweetest memories of high school. What could have been more enjoyable than having a mouth-watering dish and talking nonsense to your friends, right?

Of course, there’s a reason for young Pleiku-ers’ special love for this type of street food. It is made from escargot braised with lemongrass and chili, with the goal to substantially remove the regular fishy smell of seafood. The soup produced after is heavenly, a gentle combination of a little spiciness from the chili, a stocked aroma from the lemongrass and the essence from cooked snails. These flavors come together so well and if dipped with its exclusive ginger sauce, it can release any stress you’re experiencing. So, don’t forget to try this dish when you have a chance to visit my hometown!

Pro tips:

You have to use your bare hands to pick out the snails from their shells, so make sure to wear plastic gloves if you want your hands to stay clean.

Use empty shells to scoop the delicious soup instead of a spoon. There you go, eat like a local!

Recommended places:

+ Street food complex near Duc An lake

• Address: Thong Nhat Street, Dien Hong ward, Pleiku city
• Opening hours: 2 PM to 8 PM

+ Oc um Vo Thi Sau

• Address: at the sidewalk on Vo Thi Sau street, opposite Mesa Coffee’s side
• Opening hours: 2 PM to 6 PM

Price range: 15,000 to 20,000 VND

#4 - Papaya Salad

This particular dish is usually associated with braised escargot because it is also served as a snack in the late afternoon, so street food vendors in Pleiku often sell these dishes together. Its main element is raw papaya, cut into small strips in order to soak up the fish sauce as seasoning. I have to say this dish’s highlight is the savory liver, which is carefully braised with only Vietnamese regular spices but is the best topping I’ve ever tried among Pleiku’s street foods. This salad also has crushed peanuts and some herbs to decorate and enrich the flavor.

Papaya salad is a fairly spicy dish, so if you can’t have spicy food, remember to request this in advance. Or else you’ll end up cursing and enjoying the dish at the same time. I remember I was in real tears once when I was eager to beat my sister’s challenge to try the same spice level. Mistakes were made. But I still enjoyed it. Try it yourself in one of these places and you’ll see what I mean!

Recommended places:

+ Street food complex near Duc An lake

• Address: Thong Nhat Street, Dien Hong ward, Pleiku city
• Opening hours: 2 PM to 8 PM

+ Nho restaurant

Address #1: 189 Phan Dinh Phung street, Pleiku city

• Opening hours: 12 PM to 9 PM.
• Price range: 10,000 – 20,000 VND

Address #2: 2 Hoa Hong Street, ward 7, Phu Nhuan district, Ho Chi Minh city

• Opening hours: 11 AM to 10 PM
• Price range: 20,000 – 30,000 VND

#5 - Meatball Vermicelli with Pork Trotters

You’ve come to know the famous late-afternoon snacks in Pleiku city, so now, it is time for a wholly protein-packed dish which can satisfy any empty stomach out there.  Behold… the meatball vermicelli with pork trotters!

Recommended places:

Bun rieu Be Tu

• Address: Pham Hong Thai alley, Pleiku city
• Opening hours: 2 PM to 7 PM
• Price range: 30,000 – 35,000 VND

Bun rieu Chi

• Address: 182B Phan Dinh Phung, Tay Son ward, Pleiku city
• Opening hours: 2 PM to 8 PM
• Price range: 30,000 – 35,000 VND

#6 - Banh Khot Mam Nem – Mini Pancakes with Fish Paste

This special fish sauce has a strong smell and as a matter of fact, it is traditional and well-known in Danang or Hue city, which is located in the upper part of the Central Highland region of Vietnam. If you plan to visit these cities, you’ll find more cuisines accompanied by this sauce and it naturally adds a very distinguishable taste to each dish. And it certainly has the same effect on banh khot mam nem. The smell is not as vivid as freshwater crab soup, but it’s sure to make you never forget it.

Besides its service to your hungry stomach, you can also visually enjoy the whole process of making these pancakes; as this dish is served hot so they are made right in front of you. Cooks will pour the prepared flour into a mini pancake pan and add chopped meat or shrimp on top. This requires a special skill set in order to cook the pancakes properly and serve enough orders at the same time.

Surprisingly, the cooking process is entirely done in a charcoal oven, not an electric or even gas oven. The constant and stable heat from such an oven is efficiently suitable for making those lovely pancakes. Wait up, there’s still one more thing to make if you want to try this dish! It is really inexpensive considering the amount of food you can get in a standard portion. With just around 25,000 VND, you can proudly leave the place with a happy stomach. Quite a competition with meatball vermicelli, right?

Recommended places:

Banh khot mam ca Nguyen Duong

• Address: 54B Nguyen Duong, Ia Kring ward, Pleiku city
• Opening hours: 3 PM to 8 PM
• Price range: 15,000 – 25,000 VND

By Plane

There are regular flights with Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air and Jetstar, including three flights daily to HCMC (one hour), two flights daily to Hanoi (1½ hours) and three flights a week to Danang (45 mins).

Pleiku Airport (PXU) is about 5km from the town and accessible by taxi (around 100,000d) or xe om (around 50,000d). You're unlikely to find any xe oms on arrival in Pleiku airport. If you want to save money, you could walk or take a taxi to the main road and take a bus from there (buses from the north - Kontum, Da Nang, etc. - pass by there). Turn left as you leave the airport building and walk along the barracks.

By Bus

Duc Long Bus Station is 3 km east of the city center and has buses to other provinces and Laos. A xe om should be no more than 20,000 dong, but you may be able to bargain it down to 15,000 dong. There are local buses to the city centre, but they are not frequent.

There are frequent buses to Quy Nhon (3 hours, 80,000 dong as of Mar 2011). Mai Linh buses depart at 07:30 and 13:30. Mai Linh has a night bus that leaves Da Nang around 21:00 and reaches Pleiku in the early morning (160,000 dong, Mar 2011). There are also frequent buses to and from Buon Ma Thuot.

Mai Linh and Dien Hong have buses to Laos - Attapeu, Xekong, and Pakse. Mai Linh buses to Attapeu (175,000 dong, Mar 2011) takes around 7 hours, to Pakse around 12 hours. Departure in Attapeu is at 07:00 and in Pleiku 07:30. The fares include lunch in Ngoc Hoi.

From Kontum frequent buses stop in a station near the market. 22.000 dong (Dec 2013)

Agents in Banlung, Cambodia can book cross border bus/van tickets to Pleiku. However, Vietnam eVisas are NOT accepted at this crossing, so you will need to either have a physical visa in your passport from an embassy/consulate or be from a country that gets visa-free entry.