K'ho Cuisine Brings Highland Heritage to Life
Among the K'ho villages of the Lam Dong Highlands, fragrant bamboo-tube rice, rich canh thut soup and jars of traditional rice wine shared around the fire are more than everyday meals. Together with the sound of gongs and a strong sense of community, these traditional dishes tell visitors simple yet meaningful stories about the K'ho people, their culture and the enduring spirit of the Central Highlands.
From Village Kitchens to Tourism Experiences
Surrounded by the mountains of Lam Dong, where the sound of gongs echoes through the forests, K'ho cuisine has become a bridge connecting visitors with the region's indigenous culture. From bamboo-tube rice and grilled chicken to canh thut, bamboo-grilled meat and traditional rice wine, each dish reflects the customs, traditions and daily life of one of the Central Highlands' oldest communities.
In recent years, localities including Di Linh, Bao Lam, Lac Duong and the Lang Biang–Da Lat area have incorporated traditional cuisine into community-based tourism. Alongside gong performances and cultural exchanges, visitors are invited to experience authentic local flavors while learning about the K'ho way of life.
At the K'ho Traditional Village in Klong Trao 1 Village, Di Linh Commune, visitors enjoy cooking over open fires, preparing bamboo-tube rice, grilling meat and sharing meals inside a traditional longhouse. According to village manager Ka Hung, it is often the stories told around the fire—not just the food—that leave the deepest impression.
"In the past, these dishes were mainly prepared for family meals or village festivals. Through community tourism, we hope to introduce our traditional cuisine so visitors can better understand K'ho culture. Many guests ask how the dishes are made and say they would love to come back," she said.
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Preserving Tradition Through Food
While maintaining traditional cooking methods, many households continue to use locally sourced ingredients, helping preserve indigenous knowledge while creating authentic tourism experiences.
According to Ka Huong, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Bao Lam 5 Commune, meals hold deep cultural significance for the K'ho people, representing not only daily life but also customs, ceremonies and community bonds. As local residents introduce traditional dishes, they also share stories about festivals, ancestral traditions and the relationship between people and the forest, allowing K'ho culture to be passed on in a natural and engaging way.
For Hoang Thi Kim Anh, a visitor from Ha Tinh Province, enjoying K'ho cuisine in the atmosphere of traditional gong performances became one of the highlights of her trip.
"The dishes are simple but unlike anything I've tasted before. What impressed me most was hearing local people explain the meaning behind each dish and the traditions associated with them. It was an unforgettable experience," she said.
Bringing indigenous cuisine into tourism is creating new livelihood opportunities for local communities while preserving and promoting traditional cultural values. Through these humble village dishes, K'ho culture continues to reach visitors from near and far, adding to the unique appeal of Lam Dong, a land where nature, culture and the warmth of its people come together.