Top Activities in Vietnam’s Eternal Spring City – Dalat

About Da Lat

Da Lat is a colorful autumn picture with very cool and fresh weather. It is a small city in the Central Highlands of southern Vietnam, about 300km northeast of Saigon. Da Lat is also considered the capital of Lam Dong province. With an altitude of 1,500 m above sea level.

Da Lat’s year-round cool climate has earned it the moniker “The City of Eternal Spring.” Da Lat city’s center is characterized by broad roadways and historic structures left over from the French colonization. This is the perfect southern resort because of the amazing weather.

When coming to Da Lat, just walking on the street, one can easily see the dense purple hydrangea bushes decorating every stretch of sidewalk. Located on undulating hills, Da Lat streets have strange angles, creating interesting ‘stacked’ roofs and narrow roads that are interesting to explore on foot.

In addition, the city is surrounded by pine forests, dotted with waterfalls, and a quick drive into the countryside will reveal fruit farms and tea plantations. Dalat makes people feel a million miles away from the rest of Vietnam, offering a romantic old-world atmosphere with farmer’s markets, cozy cafes, and narrow mountainside roads to explore.

Best time of year to go

The best time to visit Dalat is from November to March, the dry season, which coincides with the flower season in Dalat, which brings the hills to life with colorful flowers. Dalat’s rainy season runs from April to October, with evening temperatures dropping to 10°C.

Transportation to Da Lat

From Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City, can fly to Lien Khuong Airport (Da Lat) with many airlines such as VietnamAirlines, and Vietjet, … (Note: From Lien Khuong Airport, you can take the airport bus to the city center or take a taxi. The airport bus will run continuously during the day. The last stop in Da Lat city is Le Thi Hong Gam street, right at Da Lat market).

Three Places you should go when visiting Da Lat

DA LAT MARKET

Da Lat Market always attracts a large number of visitors because it is not only a bustling shopping place but also brings many unique cultural experiences with a rich variety of goods and countless delicious dishes. It is one of the markets – the largest place for exchanging and trading goods of the indigenous people of the foggy land. There is almost nothing missing here, goods and products from North to South are all sold by the traders at this market.

Da Lat Market is located in the center of Da Lat city, on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, and connected to Phan Boi Chau street, just 5 minutes walk from Xuan Huong lake. This place is not only a traditional market, and a commercial center but also an attractive destination for tourists to shop, eat and experience local culture.

Da Lat Market opens from early morning to about 6 pm every day. The area selling specialties in the market can be open until about 9 – 10 pm or even later to serve tourists. At night, Da Lat night market is open outside the market.

XUAN HUONG LAKE

Xuan Huong Lake is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Vietnam. This lake has a romantic beauty surrounded by a cool pine forest and a park full of flowers and leaves. This place impresses visitors with its natural beauty which everyone loves. The clear blue water and the rows of trees hanging over the shore create a romantic, peaceful, and quiet scene.

And this place is called the heart of Da Lat city. Xuan Huong Lake Da Lat possesses a peaceful, romantic beauty that is rarely compared to any other lake. When coming to this place, visitors will be immersed in the vast, cool scenery and feel the peaceful beauty that the lake brings.

DINH BAO DAI

Dinh Bao Dai is the general name for the mansions and villas that King Bao Dai used as a place to work and rest, living with his family while he was in power. Spread across the territory of Vietnam, there are a total of 7 mansions of King Bao Dai. Most of these mansions were built in the French architectural style.

Of those 7 mansions, 3 are located in Da Lat and are called Palace I, Palace II, and Palace III for easy distinction. The rest are villas located in the provinces such as Cau Da Villa in Nha Trang, Bach Dinh in Vung Tau, Bao Dai Palace in Dak Lak, and Bao Dai Villa in Hai Phong. Today, these mansions have become famous tourist destinations visited by many tourists.

Try the local Da Lat food 

Dalat’s cuisine is robust and diverse because of the city’s frigid environment. Locally farmed Dalat product, such as an abundance of fresh fruit and avocados, is used in many recipes.

Every evening starting at approximately 5 p.m., the Da Lat Night Market is held in the town center. It’s a terrific spot to find street cuisine and try some of Dalat’s tastiest delicacies.

Try the famed avocado ice cream (Kem bơ) from Dalat, as well as the meatball sandwiches (Banh ít mì thương), egg-grilled rice paper (Banh tráng kẹp), and spring onion and quail egg pancakes with fish sauce (Bánh căn).

Conclusion: Embracing the Tranquility of Da Lat

Dalat’s four-season climate makes it a perfect trip destination for all kinds of people, not only those who are enthralled with the beauty of the canola blossom season or the wild sunflowers that bloom along the suburban roads.

Dalat never ages; it is evergreen, youthful, and plentiful. Dalat’s spirit endures, unaltered over time, in the imaginations of individuals who dream and enjoy budget travel, whether they visit the city for ten, twenty, one hundred, or more years.