The Central Highlands coffee capital earns global recognition as National Geographic spotlights its extraordinary coffee culture in the prestigious "Best of the World 2026" list.
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| Dak Lak is the world's largest Robusta coffee-producing region. |
Buon Ma Thuot, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam — Buon Ma Thuot, the coffee capital of Vietnam nestled in the Central Highlands, has been named one of the world's best food destinations by National Geographic in its highly anticipated "Best of the World 2026" feature — one of the most influential travel lists on the planet, reaching over 150 million readers worldwide.
The recognition places Buon Ma Thuot alongside iconic culinary destinations across the globe, shining an international spotlight on Vietnam's extraordinary coffee heritage and the unique food culture of the Central Highlands.
A city where coffee is a way of life
Buon Ma Thuot sits at the heart of Dak Lak Province, a region that produces approximately 30% of Vietnam's total coffee output and is home to some of the world's finest Robusta coffee beans. The city's coffee culture is not merely an industry — it is a living tradition woven into the daily rhythms of its people, its indigenous Ede and M'Nong communities, and its landscape of lush highland plateaus.
Visitors to Buon Ma Thuot discover a coffee experience unlike anywhere else on earth:
* Farm-to-cup journeys through sprawling coffee plantations where guests harvest, roast, and brew their own coffee.
* Traditional Ede coffee ceremonies — an intimate cultural ritual passed down through generations.
* A thriving café culture where hundreds of independent coffee houses serve meticulously crafted cups in settings ranging from century-old colonial villas to open-air gardens overlooking misty valleys.
* The World Coffee Museum — the only museum in Southeast Asia dedicated entirely to the global history and culture of coffee.
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| The World Coffee Museum is an ideal check-in destination when visiting Dak Lak. |
Vietnam's most protected coffee identity
The "Buon Ma Thuot Coffee" geographical indication is legally protected in more than 30 countries — a testament to the unrivaled quality and distinctiveness of coffee grown in this highland terroir.
The region's unique combination of rich basalt red soil, altitude of 400–800 metres above sea level, and a distinct wet-dry climate creates flavour profiles that coffee connoisseurs describe as bold, full-bodied, and deeply aromatic.
An invitation to the world
"National Geographic's recognition is a proud moment not only for Buon Ma Thuot and Dak Lak Province, but also for all of Vietnam", said Mr. Nguyen Son Hung, Head of the Tourism Management Division, Dak Lak Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
"We warmly invite travellers, food writers, and coffee lovers from around the world to come and experience firsthand what makes our coffee culture truly one of a kind. Buon Ma Thuot is not just a destination — it is a feeling, a story, and a cup of coffee you will never forget".
Getting there
Buon Ma Thuot is served by Buon Ma Thuot Airport (BMV) with direct domestic connections from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.
International visitors typically connect via Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat International Airport), with a short one-hour flight or a scenic five-hour drive through the highlands.
Media & press opportunities
The Dak Lak Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism warmly welcomes international media, travel writers, food journalists, and content creators to visit Buon Ma Thuot for hosted press trips, including:
* Exclusive access to private coffee estates and artisan roasters.
* Cultural immersion with indigenous Ede and M'Nong communities.
* Behind-the-scenes tours of the World Coffee Museum.
* Participation in the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival (held biennially).
To arrange a press visit or request high-resolution photography and video assets, please contact:
Mr. Nguyen Son Hung – Head of the Tourism Management Division, Dak Lak Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Email: daklakcst@gmail.com
Phone: 0918 367867
Issued by Dak Lak Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism
