Gia Lai, Highland province in Central Vietnam.
Gia Lai is a mountainous region in central Vietnam's highlands with wide valleys and forested hills. The area covers a large expanse with elevations reaching 800 meters (2625 feet) and features a varied landscape of forests, plantations, and small settlements.
The name comes from the Jarai word Yăgrai, which refers to a water dragon title held by an important figure in the region. The area was inhabited by different peoples over centuries and remained for a long time a remote highland territory with its own traditions.
Local people often speak Jarai or other indigenous languages alongside Vietnamese and follow their own customs in daily life. In many villages you still see traditional longhouses on stilts and hear gong music during special occasions or celebrations.
Pleiku serves as the gateway to the region and connects the province via National Highway 14 to other parts of the country. The best time to visit falls between November and April when the weather is drier and roads are easier to travel.
Many villages still use communal longhouses where several families live under one roof and work together. These houses often have elaborate wood carvings at the entrances and serve as meeting points for the whole village during important decisions.
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