Pleiku City Center
Best for first-timers: restaurants, coffee shops and taxis in one area. Few big sights within walking distance.
Central Vietnam
Pleiku
- Best time
- Nov – Apr
- Ideal stay
- 2 days 1 night
- Avg. cost
- $30 – $55/day
- Airport
- 540km from Ho Chi Minh City
Pleiku Overview
Pleiku is a Central Highlands city built around volcanic lakes, pine-lined roads and tea and coffee farms. It suits road-trippers, culture lovers and travelers who want a low-crowd stop between the coast and the highlands.
Highlights of Pleiku:
- Bien Ho (T’Nung Lake): A crater lake a few kilometers north of town. Go at sunrise for calm views and cooler air.
- Tea hills: Walk among the tea rows near the lake for photos and views. Mornings are clearer than afternoons.
- Chu Dang Ya volcano: Hike the extinct volcano area north of the city; wild sunflowers bloom around Nov – Dec.
- Kon Tum day trip: Visit the wooden church and Bahnar communal houses in Kon Tum, 50km north. Hire a driver or take a bus.
Best Time to Visit: Nov – Apr is dry with cool mornings; wild sunflowers bloom around Nov – Dec. May – Oct brings heavy afternoon rain and muddy village roads.
Flights are limited, so book flights first and arrange a local driver a few days ahead for out-of-town sights.
Where to stay in Pleiku
Where to base yourself, by travel style.
Bien Ho Lake Area
Quiet lake and tea-hill views a few kilometers north of the center. Need a scooter or taxi; few restaurants.
Kon Tum City
Alternative base 50km north: wooden church, Rong houses and river walks. Quieter and cheaper, with fewer facilities.
When to visit Pleiku
Temperature, rain and crowds by month.
January
20.6°C ~ 69°F
2 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
February
21.7°C ~ 71°F
1 day of rain
Crowds: Moderate
March
24.2°C ~ 76°F
3 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
April
25.4°C ~ 78°F
10 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
May
24.7°C ~ 76°F
24 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
June
23.4°C ~ 74°F
28 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
July
22.7°C ~ 73°F
30 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
August
22.8°C ~ 73°F
30 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
September
22.7°C ~ 73°F
28 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
October
22.5°C ~ 73°F
20 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
November
22.2°C ~ 72°F
9 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
December
21°C ~ 70°F
3 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
Getting to Pleiku
Times, costs and booking links.
Step 1: Fly to Pleiku (PXU) Land, then take a short ride into town
Pleiku has a small airport with daily flights to Saigon (about 1 hr) and Hanoi (about 1.5 hrs). Flights are on small aircraft, so seats are limited.
- Visa: Many nationalities get a 45-day visa-free stay, and others can apply for an e-visa (up to 90 days) at evisa.gov.vn. Rules change, so check the official portal before you fly.
- SIM/eSIM: Buy a tourist SIM or eSIM at your first Vietnam airport (Saigon, Hanoi or Da Nang) before you fly on.
- Cash: Get dong from an ATM at your first airport. Small shops, local eateries and scooter rentals often prefer cash.
- Flights: Saigon flights are about 1 hr and cost roughly $40 – $120. Book early for holidays.
- Onward transport: The airport is about 5 – 7km from the center. Taxis cost roughly 70,000 – 150,000 VND ($3 – $6), and a local bus costs a few thousand dong. Motorbike taxis are cheaper but rare at the terminal.
