The Central Highlands, a land of vast forests, majestic waterfalls, and rich cultural identity, has long been an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists. Coming to the Central Highlands, visitors not only admire the pristine natural beauty but also have the opportunity to discover unique cultural features, including experiencing dugout canoes – a traditional form of transportation closely associated with the lives of ethnic minorities here. Sitting on a dugout canoe, gently gliding on the surface of the Se San River, Po Ko River, or Plei Krong Hydropower Lake, visitors will feel the harmony between humans and nature, and learn more about the history, culture, and spiritual life of the local people.
Dugout Canoes – A Symbol of Central Highlands Culture and History
Dugout canoes, also known as долg boats, are not just a simple means of transportation but also a profound cultural and historical symbol of the ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands. Since ancient times, when roads were not yet developed, dugout canoes played an extremely important role in the lives of the people here. They were used for transportation, fishing, transporting goods, and even participating in festivals and traditional rituals.
 Families in Lung Leng village, Kon Tum, preserve dugout canoes as a traditional cultural artifact |
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| Dugout canoes are still preserved by many families in Lung Leng village, Kon Tum as a part of their traditional culture. |
The image of a dugout canoe bravely overcoming rapids, weaving through winding rivers, has become an indispensable part of the memory and soul of the people of the Central Highlands. It not only demonstrates the ingenuity and talent of craftsmen but also testifies to the courage, adaptability, and close connection with nature of the local ethnic communities.
Lung Leng Village – A Dugout Canoe “Oasis” by Plei Krong Lake
Located in the heart of Plei Krong Hydropower Lake, Lung Leng village in Sa Binh commune, Sa Thay district, Kon Tum province, appears like a green, peaceful “oasis”. This place is not only famous for its beautiful natural scenery but is also known as one of the few villages that still preserves the traditional dugout canoe making craft.
The life of the people of Lung Leng is closely tied to the river. Early in the morning, the men in the village paddle dugout canoes to fish, bringing back fresh food for their families. The dugout canoe making craft in Lung Leng once flourished, and the canoes produced not only served the needs of the villagers but were also exchanged and traded with neighboring areas.
 Artisan A Hyơh in Lung Leng village, Kon Tum, dedicated to traditional dugout canoe making |
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| Artisan A Hyơh from Lung Leng village is still passionate about the traditional dugout canoe making craft of his people. |
Artisan Gia A Hyơh, a native of Lung Leng village, has dedicated his whole life to the dugout canoe making craft. He shares that to create a complete dugout canoe, craftsmen must go through many meticulous and elaborate steps, from selecting wood, carving, hollowing out the boat, to completing the smallest details. Pomu and bằng lăng wood are the two most preferred types of wood for making canoes because of their light, durable, non-cracking properties and long lifespan.
According to the beliefs of the local people, dugout canoe making is not just a handicraft but also carries deep spiritual elements. Before going into the forest to find wood, the craftsman must perform a ritual to worship Yàng (forest and mountain spirits) to ask for permission and pray for blessings. Each dugout canoe produced contains the dedication, ingenuity, and traditional cultural values of the artisan.
Dugout Canoe Experience Journey: From Ancient Forest to River Wharf
Experiencing a dugout canoe ride is not just a fun tourist activity but also an opportunity for visitors to explore the pristine natural beauty and learn more about the culture and life of the people of the Central Highlands. The experience journey often begins with learning about the dugout canoe making process in traditional craft villages like Lung Leng. Visitors can witness firsthand talented artisans carving and sculpting on tree trunks, creating dugout canoes imbued with indigenous cultural imprints.
After learning about the crafting process, visitors will directly experience the feeling of sitting on a dugout canoe and paddling on the river. Depending on the location and tour program, visitors can choose different forms of experience such as:
- Dugout canoeing on the Se San and Po Ko Rivers: Visitors will immerse themselves in the majestic natural scenery of the Central Highlands mountains and forests, admiring rapids, rocky beaches, and discovering the simple life of the people along the riverbanks.
- Dugout canoeing on Plei Krong Hydropower Lake: Experience the feeling of floating on the vast lake surface, admiring the small green islands and enjoying the fresh, peaceful atmosphere.
- Participating in dugout canoe racing festivals: If you have the opportunity to visit the Central Highlands during the festival season, visitors will immerse themselves in the vibrant and bustling atmosphere of the dugout canoe racing festival, a unique cultural feature of this land.
 Dugout canoe racing on the Po Ko River during a traditional festival in the Central Highlands of Vietnam |
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| Dugout canoe racing is a traditional cultural and sports activity, showing the martial spirit of the people of the Central Highlands. |
Throughout the experience journey, visitors not only admire the beautiful scenery but also have the opportunity to interact and chat with local people, listening to stories about their history, culture, customs, habits, and daily life. This is a great opportunity for visitors to better understand the unique cultural identity of the Central Highlands and the good traditional values that the people here are preserving.
Discovering the River Beauty of the Central Highlands by Dugout Canoe
Sitting on a dugout canoe, gently gliding on the water surface, visitors will feel the peace and tranquility of the Central Highlands river space. The chirping of birds, the gentle breeze through the trees, the gentle sound of paddles splashing water… all blend together to create a melodious, soothing symphony, dispelling all worries and fatigue of everyday life.
From the canoe, visitors can freely admire the beautiful, pristine natural scenery of the Central Highlands mountains and forests. The lush green forests stretching to the horizon, the majestic high mountains, the white waterfalls cascading down from above… all create a beautiful watercolor painting, captivating people’s hearts.
Moreover, the dugout canoe experience also offers visitors the opportunity to explore the diverse and rich ecosystem of the Central Highlands river region. Visitors can observe birds, fish, and wild animals living along the rivers and lakeshores and learn about the typical flora of this land.
Enjoying Local Cuisine and Culture After the Canoe Trip
After an exciting dugout canoe experience, visitors can stop at local restaurants and eateries to enjoy the attractive specialties of the Central Highlands. Grilled chicken with bamboo-tube rice, dried deer meat, forest leaf hotpot, rice wine… are dishes imbued with the flavor of the mountains and forests that visitors should not miss.
Besides cuisine, visitors can also learn more about local culture through activities such as:
- Visiting Rong houses and longhouses: Explore unique architecture and learn about the cultural and social life of ethnic minorities.
- Watching gong performances and xoang dances: Enjoy the unique traditional art forms of the Central Highlands.
- Participating in traditional festivals: If you have the opportunity, visitors should participate in festivals such as the gong festival, buffalo stabbing festival, new rice celebration festival… to experience the unique and bustling cultural atmosphere of the Central Highlands.
Preserving and Developing the Central Highlands Dugout Canoe Experience
In the current context, as modern life increasingly develops, the dugout canoe making craft and dugout canoe experience are gradually fading. The number of dugout canoes is decreasing due to damage and difficulties in finding wood materials. However, there are still passionate artisans, children of the Central Highlands who are striving to preserve and develop this traditional craft.
To preserve and promote the cultural value of dugout canoes, the joint efforts of the community, authorities at all levels, and the tourism industry are needed. There need to be policies to support and encourage traditional craft villages, creating conditions for artisans to pass on their craft to younger generations. At the same time, it is necessary to develop community tourism associated with the dugout canoe experience, creating unique and attractive tourism products, contributing to improving the economic life of local people and preserving traditional culture.
Conclusion
The Central Highlands dugout canoe experience is not just a simple tourist activity but also a journey to discover the unique culture, history, and nature of this land. Come to the Central Highlands, experience the feeling of floating on a dugout canoe, immerse yourself in the poetic river space, and discover the good traditional cultural values of the local people. Surely, this will be an unforgettable experience in your journey to explore Vietnam.