Editor's note: According to the Ministry of Home Affairs , the country has 10,035 commune-level units, which will be reorganized to a scale of only about 2,000 communes. In the current system of commune-level administrative units in Vietnam, many communes have very interesting characteristics. VietNamNet has started publishing a series of articles about the most unique communes and wards in Vietnam.

Below is some information and pictures of Krong Na commune (Buon Don district, Dak Lak province) - this place has a larger natural area than Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, Hung Yen provinces with the typical identity of the Central Highlands mountains and forests.

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Krong Na is a commune in Buon Don district, Dak Lak province, known as the largest commune in Vietnam with a total area of ​​over 1,110 km2. With this area, the commune is larger than the areas of Bac Ninh province (822 km2), Ha Nam (861 km2), Hung Yen (930 km2) and is almost as large as Vinh Phuc province (1,236 km2).

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A corner of Krong Na commune is covered by forest.

As a commune in the Central Highlands region, Krong Na is not only known as a locality with a large natural area, but also has pristine natural landscapes, diverse ecosystems and unique indigenous culture.

Krong Na commune has a 46.7 km border with the Kingdom of Cambodia. Most of the commune's area is located in Yok Don National Park - the largest dipterocarp forest in our country. The dipterocarp forest in Krong Na has a unique ecosystem, completely different from other tropical forests in Vietnam. This is also home to many rare wildlife species such as wild elephants, gaurs, deer, sun bears... and many endemic bird species with high conservation value.

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Krong Na is famous for its elephant festival.

Not only does Krong Na have a rich flora and fauna, it is also notable for its dense network of rivers and streams. Among them, the Serepok River system flows through Krong Na, creating many majestic waterfalls and rapids and is an important water source for the ecosystem here.

Agricultural land accounts for only 1.78%

Despite its large area, agricultural land in Krong Na only accounts for 1.78% of the total area (about 1,986 ha). Of which, annual crop land accounts for the majority with 1,107 ha, while perennial crop land accounts for 562 ha. Non-agricultural land in Krong Na commune has an area of ​​2,489 ha, accounting for 2.23% of the total natural area. In addition, the commune still has about 216 ha of unused land, mainly unexploited hilly land.

Speaking with VietNamNet reporter, Mr. Hoang Trung Nghia, Chairman of Buon Don District People's Committee, said that Krong Na is the border commune with the largest natural area in the country and has a border with Mondukiri province (Cambodia) of 45.542km long.

According to Mr. Nghia, Krong Na commune has the majority of forest area because of Yok Don National Park, and also has the largest number of elephants living there. This is an extremely favorable location for developing the tourism industry. In addition, Krong Na commune also has the advantage of developing hydroelectricity and solar power...

“Krong Na commune is the festival center of the district because it concentrates tourist attractions; preserves and develops traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands, especially the Lao people living in the commune. Every year, the Lao Bunpimay Festival (a unique feature compared to other localities) is held, attracting many tourists,” said Mr. Nghia.

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A corner of Krong Na commune seen from above with solid houses

As a locality that owns a large part of Yok Don National Park, Krong Na has great potential to develop ecotourism and community tourism. One of the outstanding activities in Krong Na is elephant experience tourism, a characteristic of Buon Don land.

Visitors can join elephant riding tours, bathing elephants in the Serepok River or learn about the process of taming elephants by the local people. In addition, visitors can also row a boat on the Serepok River, join a trek through the Yok Don forest or take wildlife observation tours at night.

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The 130-year-old stilt house in Krong Na commune is a tourist attraction. This stilt house belongs to Mr. Y Thu K'nul (1828-1938) - the man who discovered and founded Buon Don with the profession of hunting and taming wild elephants.

Experiencing tourism activities in Krong Na is a rare opportunity to witness wild animals in their natural environment. Local cuisine is also a highlight that attracts tourists.

Statistics from the People's Committee of Krong Na commune show that every year, during holidays and summer vacations, the commune attracts about 15,000 domestic and foreign tourists. The border commune hopes that tourism will become an important direction to help improve people's lives in the near future.

Although Krong Na is the largest commune in the country, its production land area is not large. For many years, people have mainly cultivated short-term agricultural crops such as rice, cassava, potatoes, sugarcane, etc. People's lives are still difficult. Currently, the whole commune has 712 poor households (accounting for over 41%) and 274 near-poor households (accounting for nearly 16%).

To improve the situation, local authorities have stepped up propaganda, training, and helped people apply science and technology to production to increase productivity and income. In addition to agricultural development, Krong Na is also promoting eco-tourism based on its existing potential.

The commune is half the size of Bac Ninh province, with only 8 people per square kilometer . With a total area of ​​nearly 381 square kilometers (half the area of ​​Bac Ninh province), this is a commune in Lai Chau province with a population density of 8 people/square kilometer.