Dak Lak: International tourists excitedly experience the 'Ede Lamborghini' driving through coffee plantations.
The smoky, rattling farm tractors in Dak Lak are becoming a unique attraction, drawing international tourists to explore the matriarchal lifestyle and culture of the Ede people.
In early 2026, the red soil region of Dak Lak witnessed a boom in community-based tourism associated with the traditional farm tractor. Dubbed the "Ede Lamborghini," this rudimentary mode of transport offers an authentic and exciting experience for Western tourists as they traverse winding basalt roads to reach coffee plantations.
A journey of 'immersing' oneself in local life.
In Buon Tuor (Hoa Phu commune), tourists not only enjoy the scenery from their vehicles but also directly participate in daily agricultural activities. Instead of just observing from afar, visitors from France and many other countries joined Ede women in carrying baskets, picking cassava leaves, harvesting bitter melon, and learning how to roast and grind coffee manually right in the fields.
Traveling in farm vehicles without air conditioning or windshields, with only the characteristic sound of the engine and plumes of black smoke, is precisely what makes it unique. This is how community-based tourism touches the emotions of visitors from afar through the genuine values of labor and unspoiled natural spaces.
Impressed by the matriarchal culture and sincerity.
Besides experiential activities, tourists are particularly interested in the unique matriarchal system of the Ede people. Ms. Claire Mercler, a French tourist, shared her admiration for witnessing women not only as heads of the household but also very active in connecting tourism, learning foreign languages, and preserving the cultural essence of their ethnic group.
At places like the homestays of Ms. H'Belly and Ms. H'Đor Ênuôl in Chuah village (Krông Ana), the philosophy of welcoming guests is based on sincerity: "Live authentically, work honestly." Every family member participates in the service process, from driving the farm vehicle to cooking, creating a warm and intimate family atmosphere.
Sustainable direction for tourism in the Central Highlands
The specialties offered to guests are not luxurious items, but rather bitter eggplant, papaya flowers, and rustic dishes made right in the fields. It is this simplicity that has transformed the ancient stilt houses and daily life into a tourism product with a strong appeal to the international market.
Representatives from the Dak Lak Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism affirmed that this community-based tourism model is a sustainable direction. Today's farm vehicles not only transport agricultural products but also carry cultural pride, contributing to the preservation of heritage and the effective development of the local economy.
