Exploring Small town Kon Tum and Pleiku

Kon Tum turns out to be a great place to relax as I extended to two nights instead of one. Initially the plan was to ride by the coffee region of Vietnam knowing that there wont be much to see but ever since reaching Plei Can, I somehow slowed down not feeling the need to travel every day.

Around Kon Tum was not much to see really but there was still many little things around the town that makes it worthwhile exploring. The traditional houses were all over the place and after a while I realized that it was actually the central communal meeting hall.

Traditional Rong House of Kon Tum Ethnic Minority 

There was also this Indochine Cafe that was built purely out of Bamboo including the roof which was pretty and I end up going around Kon Tum gorging on Coffee. Kon Tum also had this one famous church made out of wood but chared black which made a good 10 minute pitstop for photos.

Indochine Cafe with its Beautiful Bamboo Structure

Not really exciting but also not really that boring. Kon Tum was just like that. I did do some chores while I was there getting Zuki fixed up on the horn and oiled the chain.

The third day I headed from Kon Tum to Pleiku. Again I was debating in my head many times if I were to just ride through Pleiku and go all the way to Buon Ma Thout but along the way with my little detours, I ended up staying in Pleiku for one night.

Kon Tum to Pleiku was not far in fact. Merely 50km in distance but in between through google map, I saw some bouble markers that indicated tourist spots. Tourist spots is a bit overstating it as it was more like locals visiting spot.

Mt. Chu Dang Ya 

View from the base of Mt. Chu Dang Ya

The first spot was the inactive volcano named Chu Dang Ya. Google map showed great views looking far into the horizon from the top of the volcano. But as I ride around the mount, there was no track to the top. One needed to hike up and I was way too lazy to do a trek.

Nearby thou there was a ruin Church called H’Bau. Did not expect to see this kind of structure in the middle of central Vietnam much less in the open fields countryside. 

H'Bau Church Ruins near Mt. Chu Dang Ya

Incense Offering to Statue of Mary at H'Bau Church

The insight however of this ruin Church was still functioning in a sort that the statue of Mary on the altar had prayers josstick as one would fine in chinese temples. Interesting spin where religon goes.

Riding through the countryside road parelel to the main highway going to Pleiku was a nice leisure pace that I had no worries since I had plenty of time to reach the destination. At Pleiku there was really only one place to visit, Minh Thanh Pagoda. 

Minh Thanh Pagoda Entrance

Minh Thanh Pagoda at Pleiku 

The temple was partially closed when I was there but part of it was still accessible to visit. A serene place but not very old. I tried visiting Pleiku Central Market to see if I could uncover any hidden gems but turns out it was a waste of time.

Pleiku for the night and resume the next long ride to Buon Ma Thout.

Traveled on: Jan 2024