Why did Buon Ma Thuot win National Geographic?

VHO - The prestigious American travel magazine National Geographic has just announced its "Best of the World 2026" list, featuring 15 of the world's most attractive culinary destinations. Notably, Buon Ma Thuot is the only representative from Vietnam to be honored, marking an important step forward for Dak Lak tourism on the global culinary map.

Foreign tourists enjoy experiencing the local coffee culture in the coffee gardens of Buon Tong Ju, Dak Lak.

According to National Geographic, current travel trends extend beyond simply visiting scenic spots to include cultural experiences through cuisine .

The selected destinations all possess unique values, reflecting the history, identity, and community life of the locality through distinctive food and drinks. Buon Ma Thuot's inclusion in this list is a recognition of the unique values ​​that this highland region possesses.

For a long time, Buon Ma Thuot has been known as the "coffee capital" of Vietnam, with its vast coffee plantations, favorable climate, and famous coffee brands.

However, from National Geographic's perspective, Buon Ma Thuot is not just a coffee-producing region, but also a destination capable of telling the story of local culture through culinary experiences.

Foreign tourists enjoy the "from garden to cup" experience.

A highlight of Buon Ma Thuot is its well-developed coffee tourism ecosystem. Visitors can tour coffee farms, learn about the processes of planting, harvesting, processing, roasting, and enjoying coffee right at the production site.

"From garden to cup" experiences are becoming an attractive tourism product for both domestic and international tourists.

Beyond being just a famous beverage, Buon Ma Thuot coffee is also closely associated with the cultural life of ethnic communities in the Central Highlands such as the Ede and M'nong.

Each cup of coffee carries within it a story of the red basalt soil, the highland climate, farming practices, and cultural identity of the local people. This is considered a differentiating factor that helps Buon Ma Thuot create its own unique impression in the eyes of tourists.

Each cup of Buon Ma Thuot coffee tells a story of the red basalt soil, the local culture, and the rhythm of life in the Central Highlands – values ​​that are captivating international tourists.

Besides coffee, Dak Lak also boasts a rich culinary treasure trove with signature dishes such as bamboo-cooked rice, grilled chicken, stream fish, wild vegetables, rice wine, and many traditional dishes of ethnic minority groups.

The combination of rustic flavors, natural ingredients, and the ambiance of the mountains and forests creates a unique appeal for local cuisine.

One of Buon Ma Thuot's highlights is the World Coffee Museum, where visitors have the opportunity to explore the history and culture of coffee from many countries around the world.

Along with its coffee farms and diverse coffee shop system, Buon Ma Thuot is gradually forming a self-contained experience chain, helping tourists gain a deeper understanding of the coffee culture of the Central Highlands region.

Guests, including consuls general from countries with a coffee tradition, visited the Buon Ma Thuot World Coffee Museum.

According to Mr. Nguyen Son Hung, Head of the Tourism Management Department of the Dak Lak Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, being honored by National Geographic is not only a source of pride for Buon Ma Thuot - Dak Lak but also an opportunity to promote the image of Vietnam to international friends.

This is also an opportune time to attract tourists, journalists, food experts, and coffee lovers from around the world to experience firsthand the unique values ​​of Buon Ma Thuot.

This international accolade will motivate Dak Lak to continue investing in and improving tourism products associated with coffee, local culture, and the natural beauty of the Central Highlands. If effectively exploited, Buon Ma Thuot will not only maintain its position as the coffee capital of Vietnam but also have the opportunity to become a prominent culinary destination in the region and the world.

National Geographic's recognition is a testament to the growing appeal of Vietnamese culinary tourism. With its unique identity, cultural depth, and distinctive experiences, Buon Ma Thuot - Dak Lak is opening up a new journey to captivate international tourists with the flavors and soul of the Central Highlands.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/vi-sao-buon-ma-thuot-chinh-phuc-national-geographic-233759.html