Pleiku

Pleiku is the capital of Gia Lai province that seated in the north of central highlands. The city lies at the junction of several highways - the northern road to Kontum and the highway west to Stung Treng in Cambodia.

Once in the American War, it was strategically important because of the presence of military firebases: “The American Seventh Cavalry, an air brigade and the unit featured in the film Apocalypse Now as the Wagner-blaring helicopter squadron that rains terror in its path, touched down south of Pleiku near famed Camp X-Ray in the La Drang Valley on November 14, 1965, for what would be the first open combat between American and North Vietnamese regulars after full American deployment at Danang. The bloody battle pitted 450 U.S. ground forces against nearly 2,000 North Vietnamese regulars, and the 48-hour fight caused many casualties before a tentative U.S. victory.

It's not a famous battle of scale but of legend, because it was where warriors on both sides really cut their teeth and sized each other up for what would be 8 more years of war. The clash was also important because it made the war look "winnable" to Americans, but it didn't actually prove to be a model in the war in which the hit-and-run North Vietnamese enemy was rarely in sight, and in which engaged pitch battles were only of their choosing. The area is hallowed ground to the veterans of both sides who fought here, and hosts many returnees.

Nowadays, Pleiku has draw the attention of visitors for a long history and an ancient ethnic culture which has been safekept and enhanced.

PLEIKU'S ATTRACTIONS

The Pleiku Plateau : Located on the National Route 19 and 14, 540km from Ho Chi Minh City. Pleiku - The Foggy City is well - known for its natural attractions such as Bien Ho lake which provides deep blue and clean water all year round. Chu H’Drung Mountain can be seen from the center of the city and bares a striking resemblance to the roof of a Roong House. Add to these natural features, diverse range of cultural relics, green parks, pagodas and warm friendly Highlanders and Pleiku becomes one of must-see tourist areas of Vietnam.

The Bahnar Minority Culture: A cluster of four villages such as Dektu - Deron - Dedoa and DeKop is 35 km the east of Pleiku. Here, you can visit and stay overnight and of course you will enjoy yourselves exploring the traditional culture, custom and Gong ceremony atmosphere.

The Jarai Minority Culture: Pleiphun village belongs to Iamnong Commune, Chu Pah District is considered an ideal place for those who want to visit and learn about Jarai’s traditional custom especially the Wooden Statues culture.

Ialy Hydro Power Plant: An amazing exploit in the Central Highlands, not only do you see a modern State project constructed by the Vietnamese but you can also view spectacular scenery and take a boat trip on the poetic reservoir.

Ayun Ha Ecotourism area: With an area of 37km2, AyunHa is among the largest reservoirs in Central Highlands creating an abundant and varied ecotourism area with many attractive services such as Elephant ride, Boating and Fishing…

Bien Ho lake: Created on the the mouth of a volcano of million years of ages. Bien Ho is an important Archaeological site from the last Stone Age. You can take a boat trip on the lake and admire this charming and scenic place.

Phu Cuong Waterfall: At a distance of 49km southeast of Pleiku, Phu Cuong is considered a grand and mighty waterfall with a colorful rainbow every afternoon.

Elephant Ride: Not only Gia Lai is known for its primitive forests, mighty waterfalls and rivers and original minority villages but for hundreds of years elephants have been a prominent part of the the Jarai people’s life. You can now experience a ride on the back of an elephant through highland forests and local villages.

Former Battlefields: Many former battlefields where violent confrontations took place can now be visited in GiaLai : These are Tay Son Thuong Dao area - the vestige of peasant Hero Tay Son Nguyen Hue, Stor village - The home of Hero Nup, the victory of Dak Po, An Khe and others which are forever remembered such as Dragon mountain, Plei Me and Ia Drang valley etc…