The space of Gong culture in Vietnam Central Highlands covers seventeen minority ethnicities belonging to the Austro-Asian and Austronesian linguistic groups. Their most popular beliefs come from the cult of ancestors, shamanism and animism.

Closely linked to daily life and cycle of the seasons, these beliefs form a mystical world where the gongs intervene as a privileged language between men, divinities and the supernatural world. Behind every gong hides a god or goddess who is all the more powerful as the gong is older. The gong is present in all the rituals of community life and is the main ceremonial instrument. The performance of Gong cannot be separated from ritual ceremony, men and women in ethnic pattern clothes, jar of rice wine and traditional long house.

Itinerary: 4 hours, from 8:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., 8-12km biking from LAK Tented Camp

From Lak Tented Camp, you will pedal about 30 minutes (6km) on a slightly sporty track to reach YangTao village. Going along the lake will offer you splendid scenery over surrounding mountains, the eco-lodge and local crops such as rice, corn, coffee, cassava and more. You will certainly cross farmers leading their buffaloes, cows or goats to the pastures or their tractors with various loads.

Once in YangTao, you’ll continue the track toward Buon D’rung and Buon Cuor: preserved hamlets for meeting local people. There you may see a family of potters and basket makers, a long house where the traditional jar wine (ruou can) is prepared, and you can take participate in playing a piece of Gong music. After these visits, you may cycle back or return to the eco-lodge by boat.

Highlights

• The dirt trails from LAK Tented Camp to Yangtao, with coffee plants, farms, lotus pond, rice fields…
• Stops at local houses and handicraft workshop in Yangtao village, hands-on experiences, playing Gongs, etc.
• Flexible cycling and interaction with local people in the most authentic way.

Including

• Sightseeing as per itinerary
• English or French speaking guide
• Visit, tea & talk with M’Nong locals
• Quality mountain bikes with helmet, Boat ride, water & tissue