Buon Ma Thuot is honored by National Geographic.

Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak province, has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the world's best food destinations.

Báo Công thương•31/05/2026

Where coffee is a way of life

On the morning of May 31st, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dak Lak province announced that Buon Ma Thuot has been named by National Geographic in the prestigious list of “Best Food Destinations - Best of the World 2026”. This officially makes it one of the most attractive culinary destinations on the planet.

*Buon Ma Thuot has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the world's best food destinations.*

The annual "Best of the World" list, compiled by National Geographic, is considered one of the world's most influential travel rankings, reaching over 150 million readers globally. Buon Ma Thuot's inclusion elevates Vietnam's coffee heritage and the culinary culture of the Central Highlands to a prominent position on the international tourism map.

*Dak Lak coffee will be introduced to international customers at the 9th Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival in 2025. Photo: Le Son*

Located in the heart of Dak Lak province, a region that produces approximately 30% of Vietnam's total coffee output, Buon Ma Thuot is known as the "coffee capital" with some of the world's leading Robusta beans. Here, coffee is not only a key agricultural export but has also become an integral part of local life, culture, and identity.

Visitors to Buon Ma Thuot can explore the complete coffee journey, from farm to cup: Experience "from garden to cup" at vast coffee plantations, where visitors can directly pick, roast, and brew their own coffee.

At the same time, visitors can participate in the traditional coffee ceremony of the Ede people, a cultural ritual passed down through generations. Explore the unique coffee culture, with hundreds of independent cafes in diverse styles, from old French-era villas to garden spaces overlooking the highland valley. In addition, visitors can also visit the World Coffee Museum, the only museum in Southeast Asia dedicated to the history and culture of global coffee.

*Buon Ma Thuot is known as the "coffee capital" with some of the world's best Robusta beans. Photo: Le Son*

Notably, the geographical indication "Buon Ma Thuot Coffee" is now protected in over 30 countries, affirming its unreplicable quality and reputation. The combination of fertile basaltic red soil, an altitude of 400-800 meters, and the tropical highland climate has created a coffee flavor that international experts consider rich, well-rounded, and fragrant.

A call from the vast Central Highlands

Dak Lak has Buon Ma Thuot Airport with direct domestic flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. International tourists can connect via Ho Chi Minh City before continuing their journey to the Dak Lak plateau.

*Businesses sign cooperation agreements at the International Trade Conference connecting and elevating Vietnamese coffee, part of the 9th Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival in 2025. Photo: Le Son*

According to Mr. Nguyen Son Hung, Head of the Tourism Management Department of the Dak Lak Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the locality is currently welcoming international press delegations, tourism and culinary reporters, and content creators to participate in sponsored press visits, including access to coffee farms, interaction with local communities, a behind-the-scenes tour of the World Coffee Museum, and attendance at the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival (held every two years).

“ National Geographic’s recognition is a source of pride not only for Buon Ma Thuot or Dak Lak but also for Vietnam. We cordially invite tourists, journalists, and coffee lovers from around the world to experience the unique coffee culture, where Buon Ma Thuot is not just a destination, but an unforgettable experience ,” Mr. Hung shared.

After the merger, Dak Lak has a natural area of over 18,096 km² and a population of over 3.3 million people. It is home to various ethnic groups, including the indigenous Ede and M'Nong communities. The interplay between the highland nature, ancient indigenous culture, and traditional coffee cultivation has created a unique depth to Buon Ma Thuot's cuisine.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/buon-ma-thuot-duoc-national-geographic-vinh-danh-459203.html