Mang Den Treehouse, a tourist attraction in Mang Den Commune, Quang Ngai Province, has recently drawn visitors seeking a distinctive experience close to nature.
Its main feature is a collection of houses built securely around mature trees or on tall wooden stilts, tucked away beneath a canopy of forest.
Tran Hao Hiep, born in 1977 and a resident of Mang Den Commune, owns the attraction. Rather than clearing the land to build conventional structures, he chose to raise the buildings above ground, adapt their designs to the natural terrain and preserve most of the existing trees.
Hiep began building the first houses in 2022 on a commercial and service site covering more than 15 hectares. The attraction now has eight houses for visitors, each measuring about 40 square metres and supported by wooden posts or built around large tree trunks.
The structures are carefully designed and constructed around individual trees to minimise their impact on the landscape. Most building materials are wood, bamboo and other environmentally friendly materials, preserving the rustic character of Vietnam’s Central Highlands while reducing damage to the natural surroundings.
Inside the treehouses, predominantly wooden furnishings create a warm atmosphere. Large glass windows offer views of the surrounding forest, allowing guests to relax while remaining immersed in nature.
The wooden houses are scattered among the trees, creating an unusual retreat where visitors can enjoy the greenery and tranquillity of Mang Den’s mountainous landscape.
Hiep said building elevated structures requires detailed surveys and careful structural calculations to accommodate the terrain. Construction has also been challenging, as workers must transport materials to elevated locations and assemble structures among dense vegetation. These requirements increase construction time and labour and material costs compared with conventional buildings on cleared ground.
The houses are separated from one another, while shaded paths wind through the grounds. Visitors often cycle or walk beneath rows of pine trees, enjoying the quiet surroundings.
The site also offers elevated adventure and physical activities. Participants are equipped with protective helmets and safety harnesses before tackling obstacles arranged between trees and around the houses.
Beyond accommodating overnight guests, the treehouses also serve as a place for Hiep to relax when friends and relatives visit Mang Den. The forest setting offers a chance to unwind and reconnect with nature.
An aerial view shows the buildings nestled among patches of greenery, with mature trees providing a natural canopy that helps keep the area cool and reinforces its connection with the surrounding landscape.
In August 2025, the Quang Ngai provincial People’s Committee officially recognised Mang Den Treehouse as a tourist attraction.
In June 2026, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism selected five Vietnamese destinations to compete for the Best Tourism Villages award organised by UN Tourism, the United Nations agency responsible for tourism. The award recognises outstanding rural destinations worldwide that preserve and promote cultural and natural heritage while advancing sustainable tourism.
Mang Den Treehouse is one of Vietnam’s nominees. The other four are Cat Cat in Lao Cai Province, Bay Mau coconut forest in Cam Thanh, Danang, Lo Village in Daklak Province and Huu Lien Village in Lang Son Province.
The results of the 2026 Best Tourism Villages award are expected to be announced in the fourth quarter of the year.
