Dalat

Da Lat: Vietnam’s Misty Mountain Retreat

Nestled 1,500 meters above sea level in the Central Highlands, Da Lat offers a cool escape from Vietnam’s tropical lowlands. Once a French colonial summer resort, its European-style villas, art-deco railway station, and manicured gardens still whisper of that bygone era. Locals even call it the “City of Eternal Spring,” thanks to its year-round mild temperatures.

Scenic Sights & Lakeside Strolls

Xuan Huong Lake lies at the heart of town, ringed by flower-filled markets and shady lakeside promenades. Nearby, you’ll find charming cafés serving locally grown coffee – be sure to visit a highland plantation for a farm-to-cup tour.

Outdoor Adventures

Da Lat’s rolling plateaus and pine-clad hills beg to be explored. Hike or mountain-bike through Lang Biang, canyon through waterfalls in Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, or tee off at the historic Dalat Palace Golf Club an 18-hole course established in 1933.

Heritage & Culture

Step aboard the short rail line to Trai Mat, winding past eucalyptus groves to the mosaic-covered Linh Phuoc Pagoda. Back in town, don’t miss the old French villas scattered among tropical blooms – many are now boutique hotels or tearooms perfect for afternoon tea on the Dalat Palace lawns.

Getting There & When to Go

Da Lat’s airport links north and south, and overnight buses from Ho Chi Minh City roll in by dawn. Motorbike routes fan out to Elephant Falls, Tuyen Lam Lake, and remote hill-tribe villages. The driest, sunniest months are February to April; pack a light jacket for November through January, and an umbrella from April to November.

Whether you’re honeymooning amid pine forests, hunting wild orchids, or simply sipping coffee beside a misty lake, Da Lat promises a uniquely refreshing side of Vietnam.