Dalat is the capital of Lam Dong Province in Vietnam. Due to its French architecture, Dalat is called “Little Paris”. The city is located on the Langbiang Plateau in the southern parts of the Central Highlands. Dalat offers a harmonious combination of natural scenery and historical sites.
It is small enough to remain charming and the surrounding countryside is blessed with waterfalls, lakes, evergreen forests and flower gardens. Da Lat’s year-round temperate weather, standing in contrast to central and southern Vietnam’s otherwise tropical climate, has led it to be nicknamed the “City of eternal spring”.
HOW TO GET THERE
BY AIR
Dalat is well connected to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City by daily flights operated by Vietnam Airlines. Lien Khuong Airport saw a major renovation and reopened in October 2009, expanding in its size, capacity and level of luxury. About 30 km away from city center, the airport is served by a crew of taxi ($15 to Dalat) and shuttle bus ($5 one way to Dalat).
Flight time from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City is about 45 minutes and to Hanoi is about 1 hour 40 minutes. Price ranges between $50 and $100 one way for economy class, depending on where and when you book your ticket.
BY BUS
Though out of the way, Dalat’s prestige as a popular destination leads to the operation of many bus services. Public buses are slightly cheaper than minivan though not as comfortable. From Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne or Nha Trang, you can book your bus ticket (recommended companies include Mai Linh, Thanh Buoi and Phuong Trang) to Dalat from most travel agent or bus company office. In high season (June to August), obtain your ticket at least 1 day in advance to secure your seat.
Here are approximate times for journeys to and from Da Lat:
- Ho Chi Minh City: 308 km (7 hours)
- Mui Ne, Phan Thiet: 257 km (5 hours)
- Nha Trang: 205 km (4 hours)
- Di Linh: 82 km (2 hours)
OTHERS
Though impressive and good for photos, Ngoan Muc Pass might not be the best option if you ride your bike or car to Dalat. Take the inland route to Bao Loc and Di Linh, which is shorter and safer.
WEATHER
Dalat Weather
Sitting on a beautiful valley of Langbiang mountain, Dalat has one of the most stable weather conditions among Vietnam destinations. At 1,500m height compared with sea level, Dalat enjoys a cool climate all year round, though the temperature rises slightly during the summer months from May to August and drops to a chilly point at night. Humidity is high, though nothing compared with lowland cities or coastal provinces.
Best time to travel
Like other mountainous areas in the Middle of Vietnam, Da Lat has 2 main seasons: dry season and rain season. The wet season is often from April to October, so it could be better for visitors to come to Da Lat in the period of time from November to March. It is dry and very comfortable, so that the travelers can totally relax with the clean environment here and visit many fascinating natural destinations like Xuan Huong Lake or The Valley of Love. Moreover, this period of time is the season of flowers in Da Lat when colorful flowers are bloomed brilliantly everywhere. There is an annual flower festival in January in Da Lat, when many unique types of flowers from the city and other areas in Vietnam are exhibited.
Entertainment places
Da Lat is famous for its various charming lakes and waterfalls those signify a stream of cool fresh water surrounded by evergreen forests such as Xuan Huong, Than Tho, Tuyen Lam lakes an Preen, Camly, Damri falls. Da Lat also owns the reputation of resort town with a wide of wooden villas, health spas and elegant hotels. Da Lat Flower Garden, Valley of Love, Langbian Highland and ethnic minorities visits seem to leave unforgettable impression in minds of thousands vacationers.
One time two years, The National flower Festival hold in this city with many participants in the world.
Highlights of Da Lat:
- Xuan Huong Lake – locating at the right heart of the town, this is the common gathering place for tourists and the local alike.
- Tuyen Lam Lake – belonging to the complex of Truc Lam Buddha Institute, the lake truly leaves the peace in minds of every visiting people.
- Langbian Highland with the peak of 2,165 m, this is tempting all energetic climbers.
- Valley of Love – being well organized by the local government, this park is so much like paradise for newly couples where one can walk, take a horse dart or enjoy special highland cup of coffee nearby its lake.
- Da Lat Flowers Garden – being the home to wide range of strange and valuable tropical flowers, it is incredibly like the heaven on the planet.
DALAT NIGHTLIFE
Dalat has long been known as a retreat for the nobility of Vietnam and is the perfect getaway for those seeking natural beauty and relaxation. Dalat’s cool weather, crisp air, blue skies, pine forests and twilight mists have captivated many over the decades, leading to its reputation as the City of Love. One of the most attractive beauty of Dalat is its nightlife.
When the twilight fades away, night falls over the city, the wind brings cold air up through the hills and mountains, Dalat becomes a different world at night than it is during the colorful day. Dalat boasts unique characteristics that lure visitors at night: quiet, balmy, yet vivid. Here, all is bathed in the shimmer of lakes, the splendor from shops and the glistening from flower glass houses. Dalat at nights has a slightly cold yet romantic mist covering the scenery. The elegant villas on the pine hills looming mysteriously in the mist makes “mountain town” look more beautiful than a painting. Wandering along roads at night, you will be overwhelmed by the crisp, fresh, cold air and thrilled by the sweet scent from hundreds of kinds of flowers.
When visiting Dalat, the city of mist and pine trees, tourists can hardly resist walking around the night-market. Huge, crowded, and stuffed with produce of all varieties, this is the top stroll-through destination in Dalat. Here’s where you can see all the local specialties and have a chance to enjoy the appetizing flavor of My Quang dishes (Quang style noodles), the spicy and greasy flavor of “Bun bo gio heo” (Beef and Pork Leg Soup). Enjoying these special dishes with hot soya milk on a cool evening is an unforgettable memory.
This peaceful haven is truly yours to enjoy.
SHOPPING IN DALAT
Dalat is not just a destination of romance – it is also a haven for specialty shopping such as jams, temperate vegetables and the famous champagne.
Dalat Central Market
Lying at the foot of a hill, Dalat central market is a multi – storey building with a unique architecture. It is linked to Hoa Binh area at the hill top through a bridge from its second level, and to Xuan Huong lake at the bottom by a walkway leading to its first floor. That’s why it’s often told as the meeting point of mountains and waters, of ups and downs. Day by day, it attracts local specialties from all over Dalat to itself. So taking a look around here, you will know what this wonderland is well – known for.
Right at the front of the market, flowers bloom up in myriads of stores. Here you can immerse yourself in the colors and flagrance of hundreds of series of flowers like orchid, mimosa, gladiolus, chrysanthemum, carnations and hydrangeas. They are sold as either sprigs or bunches, still fresh or dry. Oh! Dalat’s dried flowers are amazing. As fresh and lively as their fresh counterparts, yet more interestingly, their beauty stays unchanged for the whole two or three years. Thus, buying some dried flowers is obviously a wise choice if you want to bring home a piece of Dalat’s charm.
When you move on inside, just after the flower stands, waiting for you are stalls of fresh fruits and vegetables. At 1,500m (4,920 ft.) above sea level, Dalat is characterized by its cool year – round climate which endows this hilly land with abundant natural produces found nowhere else in Vietnam. Many of them are made into delicate finished products such as strawberry preserves, mulberry syrups, artichoke tea, dried fruits or Vang Dalat wine. Feel free to ask the seller for samples, and you will find they are really worth it. All of them are Dalat’s specialties.
The second storey is filled with kiosks selling souvenirs and woolies of all designs and colors. Most charming are woolen jumpers, scarves or hats hand – knitted by Dalat’ skillful artisans. Most exceptional are engravings on pine wood with a “fire-pen” devised by a family who still reserves the copyright. Yet most regrettable is that you have to end your shopping soon as the market closes at 6p.m. But seemingly in order to not make you sad for long, the night market ( also called Hades market by locals) will soon come up right along the streets nearby. Open until 4a.m the next day, Hades market gives room to just the same items as you could see during your day shopping, often at cheaper prices and still with little hassle. After all, a fun vibe pervades Dalat day and night.
Strawberry Gardens
You may choose to expand your shopping trip by renting a motorbike or “xe om” to one of the many strawberry gardens on the outskirt of the city. If you come during May and June, you may lucky to go down and pick your own fruits. Otherwise, these jam produce house also give great opportunity for you to try Artichoke tea and homemade jams.
A jar of strawberry or mango jam to bring home will make a great souvenirs. And if you are a fan of tea, the famous Dalat Artichoke tea is known to be healthful which helps cool your liver from alcohol on the one hand and put you to sleep easily on the other.
