Kontum is on Highway 14, the inland-parallel to ever-congested Highway 1. In an relief effort to transfer traffic from that route to here, the road has been upgraded recently, so the place is now easily reached. Northbound to Da Nangit runs along the northern part of the famous Ho Chi Minh-Trail, winding through some of the roughest mountainous jungle terrain in the country.
Motorbike (Vietnam) starting from Da Nang, Dalat or Nha Trang. If the "real" Ho Chi Minh-Trail is part of your arrangement, you're likely to spend a night here. You can hire a bike for US4-5 per day if you prefer drive yourself.
Bus
Kontum's bus station is on the northern side of town, just off the highway.
Previously foreigners were banned from buying tickets from the ticket office in Kon Tum province, but this has since been changed. Now you can buy a ticket at the bus terminal like anywhere else. (June 2010)
Buses reach here from any coastal city between Da Nang and Nha Trang, while the neighboring towns of Pleiku and Dac Toare en route from Dalat/Buon Ma Thuot to Da Nang and thus see some through traffic. The local bus is dangerous as they race each other down the mountains in order to collect the passengers (and their fare) first, and can overfill the mini bus to as much as double its capacity. The "high Quality" bus from Denang to Kon Tum is more comfortable, and does not overfill seats, however still provides a dangerous trip due to high speeds and little concern for other road users
