Dak Mil

Dak Mil (Đắk Mil) is a former rural district in western Đắk Nông province, Central Highlands of Vietnam, now a commune-level subdivision of Đắk Lắk province following the 2025 administrative boundary changes. As of 2020 the district had a population of 100,702, with the district capital at Đắk Mil town. The area covers 679 km² of rolling basalt hills ideal for coffee and rubber cultivation.

The ethnic composition is diverse, with 19 ethnic groups represented. Kinh people make up about 80% of the population, while the M'Nong are the largest indigenous minority at 8.6%. Small populations of Ede and Ma peoples also live in the district. The three main religions are Catholicism, Buddhism, and Protestantism. The climate follows the Central Highlands pattern: a rainy season from April to October and a dry season from November to March.

By Plane

The nearest major airport is Buôn Ma Thuột Airport (BMV), about 60 km north. Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City is approximately 200 km southwest via National Highway 14.

By Car / Road

Dak Mil lies on National Highway 14, about 25 km west of Gia Nghia and 60 km south of Buôn Ma Thuột. The roads are sealed and in good condition. Regular bus services connect Dak Mil to Gia Nghia, Buôn Ma Thuột, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Motorbike is the primary mode of local transport. The town centre is small enough to walk. Taxis and xe om are available but limited. For visiting outlying plantations and villages, a self-driven motorbike or hired car is recommended.

• Coffee and rubber plantations — The district's vast agricultural landscapes are the main visual attraction, especially during coffee harvest.
• Dak Mil Market — The central market where local produce, coffee, and daily goods are traded.

Coffee farm tours are the quintessential Dak Mil experience. Visit a local processing facility to see how cherries are turned into export-grade beans. Trekking in the surrounding hills offers views of the plantation-covered landscape. Cultural visits to M'Nong villages provide insight into indigenous highland life.

Dak Mil town has several phở stalls and cơm bình dân eateries along National Highway 14, with meals from 25,000–50,000 dong. Look for bún riêu and bánh cuốn for breakfast. The central market has grilled meats, fresh spring rolls, and seasonal fruit. Coffee is ever-present — every roadside stop serves cà phê sữa đá. For a full meal, Nhà hàng Hương Rừng on the main road serves grilled pork and wild vegetables.

Coffee is king here. Dak Mil's basalt soil produces beans with a bold, chocolatey profile. Fresh sugarcane juice and coconut water are common at roadside stalls.

• Budget: Simple guesthouses in Dak Mil town centre offer rooms for 150,000–250,000 dong per night.
• Mid-range: Several hotels along National Highway 14 provide air-conditioned rooms with basic amenities.

Dak Mil is prime coffee country. Buy directly from farmers: robusta at 40,000–60,000 dong/kg and arabica at 80,000–120,000 dong/kg. Rubber products, cashews, and black pepper are also produced locally.

• Gia Nghia (25 km east, 30 min) — Đắk Nông's capital with restaurants, hotels, and the region's main tourism infrastructure.
• Buôn Ma Thuột (60 km north, 1 hr) — Đắk Lắk's capital, famous for its coffee museum, Yok Don National Park, and vibrant Buôn Ma Thuột market.
• Dak Song (southeast) — Neighbouring district known for its pine forests and the Đắk Song river.