Visit Da Lat

A lake in the middle of town, 1930s villas beneath the pines, greenhouses of strawberries and artichokes as far as the eye can see, and evenings when you reach for a down jacket: Da Lat breaks with the heat of southern Vietnam. Three days cover the town and its surroundings.

Why go to Da Lat?

Da Lat, on the Lâm Viên plateau at about 1,500 metres, keeps an average temperature close to 18 °C all year, a sharp contrast with the tropical lowlands of southern Vietnam. Founded as a hill station in the late 19th century, it is now a popular weekend escape for Vietnamese travellers, known for its flowers, coffee and hilly landscapes.

Da Lat's must-sees

Eccentric architecture, pagodas and viewpoints, to combine over two or three days.

Da Lat Railway Station

A 1938 Art Deco station with pointed roofs inspired by highland communal houses. A tourist train runs to Trại Mát, about 7 km away, for the nearby pagoda.

Crazy House

A sculpture-house by architect Đặng Việt Nga, begun in 1990: root-shaped stairways, rooms inside tree trunks and hanging walkways. It also operates as a guesthouse.

Linh Phước Pagoda

In Trại Mát, a pagoda entirely covered in mosaics of broken ceramics and glass, with a giant dragon and a multi-storey tower open to visitors.

Trúc Lâm Monastery

A Zen monastery overlooking Tuyền Lâm lake, surrounded by well-kept gardens. Arriving by cable car over the pine forest is part of the experience.

Lang Biang Mountain

The plateau's emblematic peak, tied to a love legend of the Lạch people. Panoramic views over Da Lat and the valleys from the jeep-accessible viewpoint.

What to see in and around Da Lat?

The centre around Xuân Hương lake

Xuân Hương lake, about 5 km around, is the landmark of the town centre; walking its circuit takes an hour and a half, or less by bike. Above it, the central market comes alive at dusk, when its steps and nearby streets fill with street food stalls: grilled bánh tráng nướng, hot soy milk, skewers. The colonial villas, Bảo Đại's summer palace, built in the 1930s, and the 1938 Art Deco station are all twenty minutes away by taxi or Grab. Allow a day.

The southern pine hills and Tuyền Lâm lake

South of the centre, 15 to 20 minutes by road, pine forests surround Tuyền Lâm lake and Trúc Lâm monastery, reached by a cable car of about 2.3 km gliding over the trees. Nearby, Datanla waterfall offers a rail-mounted alpine coaster and canyoning trips; choose a reputable operator, and skip it after heavy rain when the water rises. Further out, Elephant Falls, about 30 km away, involves a slippery descent. Plan a day by taxi or scooter.

The Lang Biang plateau and northern farms

To the north, about a dozen kilometres away, the Lang Biang massif rises to just over 2,100 metres; jeeps drive up to the viewpoint, or you can hike to the summit in three to four hours return. On the way, the countryside alternates greenhouses, arabica coffee plantations, strawberry farms and cut-flower fields that supply the whole country. Several farms welcome visitors with tastings. The dry season, from December to March, brings the clearest skies for this area.

Frequently asked questions about Da Lat

Is it really cold in Da Lat in December?
Not by European standards, but the contrast surprises: days stay mild, around 20 °C, while nights can drop towards 10 °C. Accommodation is rarely heated, so bring a sweater and a jacket, especially for the night market.
Bus or plane between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat?
The flight takes about an hour, plus 40 minutes from Liên Khương airport. The sleeper bus, covering roughly 300 km, takes six to eight hours depending on the route and traffic. The bus suits tight budgets, the plane short stays.
Is canyoning at Datanla safe?
It is very popular, but fatal accidents have occurred in the past during flash floods. Choose a reputable operator with full equipment, and avoid going after heavy rain, frequent from May to October. The level remains accessible to fit beginners.
What to eat at the Da Lat night market?
Bánh tráng nướng, a grilled rice paper topped with egg and spring onion often called Vietnamese pizza, bánh căn, small pancakes cooked in clay moulds, and hot soy milk. Strawberries and artichoke tea are the local products to take home.
Can you rent a scooter in Da Lat without a licence?
Legally, you need a motorcycle licence valid in Vietnam; an international driving permit issued under the 1968 convention with category A is recognised. Without a valid licence, travel insurance usually does not cover an accident. Mountain roads are winding and slippery in the rain.
How many days to spend in Da Lat?
Two full days cover the centre, the station, Trúc Lâm and a waterfall. A third allows a climb up Lang Biang or a visit to coffee farms. Beyond that, Da Lat mostly becomes a cool break between the coast and Ho Chi Minh City.

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