What is Buon Akô Dhông cultural village?
Published · 4 min read
Quick Answer
Buon Akô Dhông is preserved Ede village within BMT (5km from center). Features 3 traditional stilt longhouses, regular gong performances, brocade weaving demos, cultural workshops. Entrance free; gong performances 100k-200k VND (on request). Best combined with Dak Lak Museum (same area). Open daily 7am-5pm. Motorbike/taxi accessible.
VERIFIED · MAY 2026 Read below ↓
Buon Akô Dhông is the most accessible Ede cultural experience in Buon Ma Thuot — a living village preserved within city limits where visitors can see traditional longhouses, hear gong music, and meet Ede artisans without traveling to remote areas.
Location and access
- Address: 02 Y Ngông, Buon Ma Thuot (adjacent to Dak Lak Museum)
- Distance: 5km from city center
- Transport: Motorbike (free parking), Grab (50k-80k VND each way), bicycle (15 minutes)
- Hours: Daily 7:00am - 5:00pm
- Entrance: Free (some activities charged separately)
What to see
Traditional longhouses (3 houses open to visitors):
| House | Features |
|---|---|
| House 1 | Largest (40m long), communal area, gong collection |
| House 2 | Family living quarters, sleeping areas, kitchen display |
| House 3 | Weaving workshop, handicraft production, souvenir shop |
- All houses built on stilts (1.5m high)
- Wooden carvings: birds, frogs, human figures (fertility symbols)
- Interior photography allowed (ask before photographing people)
- Remove shoes before entering
Gong performances:
- Regular schedule: Saturday-Sunday 9am and 3pm
- Duration: 30-45 minutes
- Performers: Village gong ensemble (6-8 players)
- Repertoire: Harvest songs, welcome ceremonies, ritual music
- Cost: Included with visit (free); private shows 100k-200k VND
Weaving demonstrations:
- Artisans: 4-6 Ede women (rotating schedule)
- Technique: Traditional backstrap loom, brocade patterns (kpa)
- Products: Scarves, bags, clothing, wall hangings
- Prices: 150k-500k VND (handmade, authentic)
- Custom orders: Accepted (1-2 weeks production time)
Cultural workshops (on request):
- Gong playing: 30-minute introduction (50k VND/person)
- Weaving: 1-hour basic lesson (80k VND/person)
- Ede language: Basic phrases with village guide (free)
- Group bookings: Available for schools, tour groups
Handicrafts for sale
The village shop sells authentic Ede and M’nong handicrafts:
| Item | Price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brocade scarves | 150k-300k VND | Handwoven, natural dyes |
| Bags (tote, shoulder) | 200k-400k VND | Modern designs, traditional patterns |
| Wood carvings | 300k-2M VND | Local artists, various sizes |
| Bamboo instruments | 100k-500k VND | Lak-luong replicas, flutes |
| Traditional clothing | 500k-1.5M VND | Full Ede/M’nong outfits |
Nearby attractions (same area):
- Dak Lak Museum: 0km (adjacent, 40k VND entrance)
- Buon Ma Thuot City Park: 1km (walking distance)
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street: 5km (evening market, food)
Suggested itinerary
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30am | Arrive Buon Akô Dhông |
| 9:00am | Watch gong performance (if weekend) |
| 9:45am | Tour longhouses |
| 10:30am | Visit weaving workshop, buy souvenirs |
| 11:00am | Walk to Dak Lak Museum |
| 11:00am-12:30pm | Museum visit |
| 12:30pm | Lunch at nearby restaurants |
Etiquette
- Greet villagers with “Xin chào” (Vietnamese) or “H’lo” (Ede)
- Ask before touching gongs or weaving equipment
- Respect restricted areas (private family spaces marked)
- No climbing on longhouse structures
- Dispose of trash in designated bins
Best time to visit
- Morning (8-10am): Cooler, better light for photography
- Weekends: Guaranteed gong performances
- Avoid: Monday-Friday afternoons (some artisans may be absent)
- Festival season: March-April (Gong Festival period, extra performances)
Contact
- Phone: 0262.3852133 (Dak Lak Tourism)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.daklak.gov.vn/tourism
Also asked
Related questions, answered.
How do I get to Buon Akô Dhông?
5km from Buon Ma Thuot city center. Motorbike taxi (Grab): 50k-80k VND each way. Public bus: route 02 (ask for 'làng văn hóa Akô Dhông'). Personal motorbike: follow signs to Dak Lak Museum, village is adjacent. Parking available (free).
What can I do at Buon Akô Dhông?
Tour traditional Ede longhouses (interior visits allowed), watch gong performances (schedule or on request), observe brocade weaving, buy handicrafts directly from artisans, take photos with costumed performers, learn about Ede culture from village guides.
Are gong performances daily?
Regular schedule: Saturday-Sunday 9am and 3pm (included with entrance). Weekday performances available on request for groups (100k-200k VND). Private performances can be arranged (300k-500k VND, advance booking recommended).
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