Major city · Vietnam
Pleiku
Spend 1–2 days in Pleiku to see the lake, pagoda and experience the highland vibe; arrive by bus or short flight.
Pleiku is the capital of Gia Lai province in Vietnam's Central Highlands. It is reachable by a small airport or by inter‑province buses. The town’s main attractions are a lakeside area (Biển Hồ) and the centrally located Minh Thanh Pagoda. A short stay lets you sample the highland atmosphere without long travel times.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- VND
- Best months
- Dec–Feb, Sep–Oct
- avoid May–Jul (heavy rain)
- Airport
- PXU
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Vietnam ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Vietnam ↗Crossing streets: walk slowly and steadily; motorbikes flow around you — do not stop or run.
- Vietnam ↗Carry Vietnamese đồng in small notes; many stalls and taxis are cash-only.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Pleiku113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pleiku, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?VND in small notes (10k–100k) for stalls, markets, xe ôm and tips at spas.Vietnam-wide
- SIM or eSIMViettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport and a face photo are required for registration.Vietnam-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Vietnam-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Round up or 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.Vietnam-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Vietnam-wide
- SafetyPleiku is generally safe; watch traffic when crossing roads and keep belongings secure in crowded bus stations.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in cities and hotels; squat toilets and no paper in rural stops and on long buses — carry tissues.Vietnam-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 114 fire · 115 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday; the Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum is also closed on Friday and shuts for maintenance for about two months each year (usually…Vietnam-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPXU Pleiku Airport (5 km (3.1 mi) north of city centre; flights to HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang).PXU Pleiku Airport (3.1 mi (5 km) north of city centre; flights to HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang).
- Getting aroundMotorbike taxis (xe ôm) cost ~30,000 đ; taxis 50,000‑100,000 đ.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (cà phê sữa đá)₫20,000–35,000 (≈ US$1–2)
- Street or quick mealBánh mì (Vietnamese baguette)₫15,000–25,000 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room₫120,000 (≈ US$5)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room₫250,000 (≈ US$10)
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room₫400,000 (≈ US$16)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₫150,000 (≈ US$6) · Mid ₫300,000 (≈ US$12) · High ₫500,000 (≈ US$20)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PXU Pleiku Airport (5 km (3.1 mi) north of city centre; flights to HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang)PXU Pleiku Airport (3.1 mi (5 km) north of city centre; flights to HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang)
- Phrases
- Vietnamese phrasebook
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Sep–Oct, Dec–Feb. Avoid: May–Jul. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Jul (22 rain days), driest Jan (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pleiku: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
14 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
15 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
18 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
20 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
22 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
22 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
18 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
15 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Motorbike taxis (xe ôm) cost ~30,000 đ; taxis 50,000‑100,000 đ. Buses from the airport to the main road are cheap; city buses are infrequent.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Biển Hồ lake
goDoor to door: 15 min
Motorbike taxi or walk north from centre, ~5 km (3.1 mi)Motorbike taxi or walk north from centre, ~3.1 mi (5 km)
Scenic spot for sunrise; no entry fee.
Minh Thanh Pagoda
goDoor to door: 5 min
Walk within city centre
Free entry; view murals of Buddhist teachings.
Buon Ma Thuot
cautionDoor to door: 4 h
Inter‑province bus, ~3 h, 80,000 đ
Longer trip; consider overnight if you want to explore.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre guesthouses
Walking distance to pagoda and lake; budget options available.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₫150,000–250,000 (≈ US$6–10) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₫250,000–400,000 (≈ US$10–16) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room (double)1 × 1 night × ₫120,000 | ₫120,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₫150,000 | ₫150,000 |
| Xe ôm from city centre1 × ₫30,000 · check | ₫30,000 |
| Taxi from airport1 × ₫80,000 · check | ₫80,000 |
| Inter‑province bus to Buon Ma Thuot1 × ₫80,000 · check | ₫80,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₫46,000 |
| Trip total≈ ₫506,000 per person per day, bed included | ₫506,000≈ US$20 |
Basic private room with fan.
2026 estimate in VND; flights and long‑distance bus tickets excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette) | ₫15,000–25,000 (≈ under US$1) |
| Pho (noodle soup) | ₫30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2) |
| Coffee (cà phê sữa đá) | ₫20,000–35,000 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Xe ôm ride | ₫20,000–30,000 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Taxi (city centre to airport, ~5 km) | ₫50,000–100,000 (≈ US$2–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus schedules change; verify times before travel (check).
- Xe ôm fares can be bargained; start at 20,000 đ and ask for a lower price.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 114
- Ambulance
- 115
Pocket card
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PleikuPleiku
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Đến địa chỉ này, làm ơnTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Fire114
- Ambulance115
Embassy
US consular services are in Ho Chi Minh City; Vietnamese embassy in Washington, D.C.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Pleiku Airport → city centre (taxi): about ₫80,000 (≈ US$4), 5 km (3.1 mi) (check)about ₫80,000 (≈ US$4), 3.1 mi (5 km) (check)
- Xe ôm city centre → lake (Biển Hồ): ≈ ₫30,000, 5 km (3.1 mi)≈ ₫30,000, 3.1 mi (5 km)
Say or show
- Xin lỗi — Excuse me / Sorry (sin loh)
- Cảm ơn — Thank you (kahm uhn)
- Bao nhiêu tiền? — How much is it? (bow nyew tee-en)
- Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu? — Where is the toilet? (nya vay sin uh dow)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pleiku. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Feb, Sep–Oct · avoid May–Jul (heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Buon Ma Thuot for coffee plantation tours.
- Combine with a visit to Kon Tum for cultural sites.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Pleiku
- secondaryWikivoyage: Pleiku, revision 5068239 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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