Independent travel and view of the city of Baolok! History of Baolok Baolok is one of the most unusual cities...
Baolok is one of the most unusual cities in southern Vietnam, which has long remained in the shadow of the more famous Dalat. Its history is closely connected with the mountain tribes of the Central Highlands, French colonization, tea and coffee plantations, as well as the development of Vietnam in the XX century. Today, Baolok is known as the “tea capital” of the country and one of the most important agricultural centers of the region.
Ancient history of the region
Before the emergence of Vietnamese and French settlements, the territory of modern Baolok was part of the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
Indigenous peoples
Here lived:
folks
cho
stieng
They were doing:
hunting
farming
harvesting
cross-country
Central Highlands
The region has long been difficult to access:
dense forests
terrain
humidity
remoteness
Because of this, the territory developed slowly and preserved the traditional way of life.
French colonial period
The history of the modern city begins to develop actively in the late XIX - early XX century, when France colonized Vietnam.
Why the French are interested in the region:
cool
cropland
opportunity to grow tea and coffee
Development of tea plantations
It was the French who started:
Create large-scale tea farms
pave
farm
Over time, Baolok became one of the main centers of tea production in Vietnam.
Coffee and agriculture
In addition to tea, the region is actively growing:
coffee
mulberry
fruit
vegetable
The French colonial authorities created European-type plantations here.
Urbanization
Baolok was originally a small mountain settlement.
Gradually there were:
market
administrative buildings
school
shopping district
The Wars of the twentieth century
During:
The Indochinese War
Vietnam war
The Central Highlands region was of strategic importance.
What happened?
troop transfer
mountain-tracking
farming
After the reunification of Vietnam
After 1975, Baolok began to actively develop as part of socialist Vietnam.
What's changed:
township
infrastructure
state support for agriculture
Growth in tea and coffee production
Baolok – “Tea Capital”
Today, Baolok is especially famous:
tea-plant
green-tea
tea factories
coffee export
The city among tea and coffee plantations
The main feature of Baolok is the endless green plantations.
This is where they grow:
Vietnamese tea
coffee
tropical
What tourists like:
picturesque
morning-mist
mountain-air
beautiful roads among plantations
Atmosphere of Highland Coffee Capital
Baolok has a very developed coffee culture.
There's a lot.
Cozy coffee houses with panoramic views
local specialty coffee
teahouses
Farm cafes right in the middle of the plantations
Cool climate and rest from the heat
Because of its location in the mountains, Baolok is much cooler than many cities in Vietnam.
Climate features:
temperature
chill
foggy dawn
year-round
Waterfalls and nature
The surroundings of Baolok are famous for nature.
Which is particularly popular:
waterfalls
mountain roads
rainforest
viewpoint
Many people come here for the sake of:
phototourism
motor-travel
ecotourism
quietly
The atmosphere of real Vietnam
Unlike major tourist centers, Baolok:
less noisy
less commercial
more local and authentic
Here you can see:
Vietnamese
traditional
farmland
neighborhood
Local cuisine
The town is famous:
fresh coffee
highland
street-food
fresh
Especially popular:
Vietnamese coffee
hot-soup
grill
tea-dessert
Calmness and comfort
The main atmosphere of Baolok:
silence
nature
misty
coffee-scent
slow-motion
Premium and resort hotels
Suitable for recreation in nature with beautiful views and a high level of comfort.
Popular options:
Cao Lan Hamlet
An An Homestay Bco Lõs
Suggestions:
mountain views
quietness
contemporary
playground
Farmstay and glamping
One of the main features of Baolok.
Popular places:
giăng's house farmstay and glamping
Lam Nguyên Charming House
Nomading Glamping
Features:
teahouse
camping
morning fog and hill views
tranquility
Mid-range hotels
The most convenient option for a regular trip.
Popular options:
BING BONG HOTEL BCO LC
Mùa Tím Villa, Bco Lòs
Sunflower Hotel & Resort
They usually offer:
contemporary
Wi-Fi
parking
location
Price: 20-50 USD per night.
Budget hotels and homestay
Economy options:
Bao Dien Guesthouse
Bao Loc homestay
Daa Homestay
Lanh's Homestay
Khách s n S n Ng c
Features:
simple but cozy rooms
homelike
cheap
frequently beautiful views
Price: 7-20 USD per night.
Apartments and guesthouses
Also popular in Baolok are:
family guesthouse
villa
lodging
Examples:
Thy Non Garden Cloud Ocean View
Quinn Homestay
H Mây Homestay B o L c Đà L t
1. Baolok Tea Plantations
The main attraction of the region.
What's interesting here:
green-hill
tea-field
morning-mist
panoramic
This is one of the most photogenic places in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
Transport:
10–30 minutes from the city centre
It is most convenient to get by bike or taxi
2. Dambri Falls
Features:
high-water
rainforest
suspension-bridge
tourist-park
How to get there:
about 18 km from the city
You can get there by taxi, bike or excursion transport
3. Mountain Đаi Bình
What attracts:
panoramic
foggy dawn
photolocation
cool
A popular place for photographers and nature lovers.
Transport:
Most often travel by bike
part of the road may be mountainous
4. Coffee farms and cafes
Baolok is very popular:
farm
lookout
coffee-house
What's interesting:
local coffee tasting
mountainside
slow-travel atmosphere
Availability:
Many are located near the city.
Some can be visited on foot or by bicycle.
5. Pagodas and temples
There are several Buddhist temples and pagodas in the city.
What's interesting:
traditional architecture
tranquility
neighborhood
6. Lakes and natural zones
In the vicinity of Baolok are:
lakeside
pinewood
mountain roads
countryside
Spring (February - April)
Spring is considered one of the best seasons to travel.
What's going on?
flowering
post-Theta
fairs and street markets
traditional
Tet - Vietnamese New Year
Tet is the country's main holiday.
In Baolok at this time:
decorate
family festivals
Holiday markets open
fireworks and concerts
Tea festivals
Baolok is considered one of the centers of tea production in Vietnam.
What happens:
tea-fair
tasting
farmers' festivals
cultural activities on plantations
Tourists may:
try out
visit
See the tradition of tea cultivation
Summer (May - August)
In summer, the region becomes especially green due to the rainy season.
Seasonal features:
foggy
green-hill
cooler than in the lowlands of Vietnam
What's popular:
local music events
evening cafe with live music
gastronomic festival
Autumn (September-November)
One of the most beautiful periods of the year.
Why tourists love autumn:
less heat
mountainous
temperature
Good conditions for trips to the plantation n
Coffee and gastronomic events
The region regularly hosts:
coffee festival
local produce fair
food-marketing
farm-goods exhibition
Winter (December to January)
Winter is mild and cool.
At this time:
New Year decoration
festival
concerts in cafes and resort areas
tourist season among fans of cool weather
Concerts and cultural life
There are no major international concerts in Baolok, as in metropolises, but the following are popular:
acoustical
live music in coffee shops
youth festival
local cultural shows
Spring (February - April)
One of the best seasons to travel.
Air temperature:
afternoon: +22...+28 °C
at night: +16... +20 °C
Features:
sunny
fresh-air
tea-plantation
comfort
Summer (May - August)
Summers are wetter because of the rainy season.
Air temperature:
afternoon: +24... +30 °C
at night: +18...+22 °C
Features:
rainfall
Nature is getting very green.
cooler than in the lowlands of Vietnam
Autumn (September-November)
Very beautiful and comfortable season.
Air temperature:
afternoon: +22...+27 °C
at night: +17... +20 °C
Features:
less rain
foggy dawn
hillside
plantation n
Winter (December to January)
The coolest time of year.
Air temperature:
afternoon: +20... +26 °C
at night: +14... +18 °C
Features:
chill
dry
morning-mist
relaxation
Language of communication
Main language
Vietnamese
English
meet in hotels and tourist places
Young people sometimes know basic English.
English is limited in small shops and markets
It is useful to have an offline translator or pre-prepared phrases.
Features of communication
Residents of Baolok usually:
calm
friendly
polite
Less accustomed to mass tourism
Important:
speak calmly and respectfully
voice up
Smile and courtesy are greatly appreciated.
Traditions and local customs
Respect for elders
In Vietnam, the following are important:
elderlyness
courtesy
family tradition
Conduct in temples and pagodas
There are many Buddhist temples in Baolok.
What is important to observe:
quietness
modesty
don't touch Buddha statues
strip off
Clothing and appearance
Tourist clothing is permitted in Vietnam, but:
Excessive clothing in religious places is undesirable.
In rural areas it is better to dress more modestly.
Etiquette at the table
Features:
Chopsticks cannot be stuck vertically into rice.
It is not customary to argue noisily at the table
Food is often shared among all participants.
Road behaviour
There are a lot of bikes in Baolok.
Important:
cross-road
wear a helmet when renting a bike
Be careful on mountain roads
Basic laws and regulations
Smoking
banned in a number of public places
possible fines
Alcohol
allowed from age 18
Drinking is prohibited
Drugs.
Vietnam has very strict drug laws.
Violations can be punished severely.
Photography and respect for people
Preferably:
Ask permission before taking pictures of people
Respect for monks and local residents
not to photograph military installations or public institutions
Everyday characteristics
Payment
Cash is used very often
cards are not accepted everywhere
It is better to have small money in the markets.
Trading.
It is possible in the markets:
bargaining
price
Greetings and polite words
Xin chào
Xin Ciao- Hello.
Chào bu i sáng
Chao buoy sang-- Good morning.
Chào bu i t i
Ciao buoy that Good evening.
Ttm biət
It hits-- Goodbye.
C m n
Kam he-- Thank you.
C m n nhi u
Kam he nyeu- Thank you very much.
Không có gì
Khong ko zi - Please / Nothing
Xin lii
Blue loi- Excuse me.
The main tourist phrases
Tôi không nói ti ng Viët
That Khong Noi Tieng Viet-- I don't speak Vietnamese.
B n có nói ti ng Anh không?
Ban konoi tieng an khong? Do you speak English?
Làm n giúp tôi
Lam he's a soup-- Help me, please.
? đâu?
Oh, dow? Where is this?
Bao nhiêu ti?n?
Bao nieu tien? How much is it?
Phrases for cafes and restaurants
Tôi munn món này
That muon mon nai-- I want it.
R t ngon
Zat ngon-- Very tasty.
Không cay
Khong Kai-- Not sharp.
Nōcc
Nook - Water
Tính ti n
Tinh Tien-- Check, please.
Vietnamese tea
The main souvenir of the region.
Which is particularly popular:
green-tea
oolong
jasmine tea
herbalism
Why you should buy:
grown right around the city
fresh
cheaper than in tourist shops in major cities
Local coffee
Baolok is one of the centers of coffee production in Vietnam.
What to try:
robusta
arabica
specialty
buttered coffee and chocolate notes
Popular options:
ground coffee
coffee-bean
drip bag sets
Natural products
In mountainous areas, they sell:
honey
fruit-dried
nuts
sweets
Especially popular:
jackfruit
mango
banana
What to try with food
It's popular in Baolok:
hot-soup
grill
rice noodles
street-food
Bánh mì is the famous Vietnamese baguette.
Baolok often does:
meaty
paste
vegetables and spicy sauces
Ph. is a traditional noodle soup.
Especially good in the cool climate of Baolok.
Tropical fruit
In the markets you can find:
avocado
maraqua
mango
durian
rambutan
Health and useful products
Herbal remedies
Popular:
herbal
natural
balm
remedies for fatigue and muscle pain
Natural cosmetics
Vietnamese cosmetics are often made based on:
green-tea
coconut
aloe
herb
Souvenirs
What can be found:
bamboo
textile
pottery
hand-jewelry
goods of ethnic peoples of the Central Highlands
Popular purchases from tourists
What's a big deal:
balm
heater
herbal
menthol
General security
What's good:
tranquility
minor crime
safer than large megacities
friendliness
What to pay attention to:
scootering
mountain
rainy season and slippery slopes
Small Scams in Tourist Places (Rarely)
What documents are needed
Main documents:
passport
visa or visa-free entry (depending on nationality)
return ticket
accommodation
What is desirable to have:
passport
copy
International driving license (if you plan to rent a bike)
contact
How long can I stay in Vietnam?
The length of stay depends on citizenship and type of visa.
Usually:
Visa-free entry – 15 to 45 days for a number of countries
e-Visa – up to 90 days
tourist visa – most often 30-90 days
Health insurance
Insurance is highly recommended for travel to Vietnam.
What should cover:
emergency
hospitalization
trauma
treatment of infections and poisoning
transportation
Medicine.
In Baolok, medicine is more limited than in Ho Chi Minh City.
Therefore:
In serious cases, tourists can be sent to major cities.
It is better to have good insurance with evacuation coverage.
Emergency services
Main numbers:
113 - police
114 - Fire service
115 - Ambulance
Mobile and Internet
Internet in Vietnam is fast and inexpensive.
Main operators:
Viettel
Vinaphone
Mobifone
Features of communication
4G and 5G are available in the city
Wi-Fi is common in cafes and hotels
SIM card can be bought at the airport or communication salons
Road safety
The main feature of Vietnam is the intensive movement of bikes.
Important:
always
rain
Do not exceed speed on mountain roads
cross the streets carefully
Money and Financial Security
Good to know:
Cash is used very often
cards are not accepted everywhere
It is better to have small bills.
ATMs:
downtown
There are international cards in many banks
Weather safety
During the rainy season:
rainfall
fog
slippery
flooding
Tourist behaviour
In Vietnam, they value:
respect
calmness
politeness
Not recommended:
clash
criticize local traditions
disturb
Create a query and local guides will offer you the best options
