Vietnam is a fascinating country with an ever changing landscape. In the morning you can be soaking up a tropical sun on a golden sandy beach and in the evening enjoying cool breezes while looking out over endless mountain views of the Da Lat Vietnam attractions.
Known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’, Da Lat conjures up visions of tranquil lakes, brightly coloured flowers and charming French colonial architecture. Da Lat’s unique magic will captivate you and that is why it should be on everyone’s list of places to visit in Vietnam.
We have put together a selection of top Da Lat Vietnam attractions in hope that you will fall in love with Da Lat just as much as we have.
- What makes Da Lat so special?
- Things to do in Da Lat Vietnam
- Da Lat Tours
- Da Lat Countryside Day Tour
- Da Lat Vietnam Hotel Reviews
- Da Lat Vietnam weather
- Da Lat Vietnam Map
- Getting to Da Lat Vietnam
- Da Lat Vietnam Airport (Lien Khuong International Airport)
- Quick Facts on Da Lat Vietnam
- Last Words on Da Lat Vietnam
What makes Da Lat so special?
When visiting Vietnam, you will find the French colonial influence everywhere. From Banh Mi baguettes to grand architectural structures, this fusion of style has created a distinct Vietnamese character and nowhere is it more prevalent than in the city of Da Lat.
Da Lat was founded by the French colonialists as a mountain resort city to escape the searing summer heat of the coastal areas. The first hotel was built in 1907 and the construction of French inspired boulevards and villas soon followed. Due to its European charm, Da Lat has been given the name ‘Le Petit Paris.’ It is considered one of the top 10 Vietnam tourist attractions and honeymoon capital of Vietnam.
Things to do in Da Lat Vietnam
There are so many things to do in Da Lat, even something as simple as walking around the streets is a feast for the eyes. Here are a few of our favourite places to visit in Da Lat Vietnam.
Xuan Huong Lake
As you drive into the centre of Da Lat, the first thing you will see is Xuan Huong Lake. These tranquil waters are home to one of the most scenic tourist attractions in Da Lat Vietnam.
Xuan Huong Lake is a man made lake and is named after one of Vietnam’s most famous female poets. The crescent shaped lake has a 7 km pathway which is popular for walking and jogging. As you walk you may see local fisherman waiting patiently for their catch under shaded pine trees.
You can stop off at Thuy Ta Restaurant & Coffee and enjoy a coffee with a view or hire a swan paddleboat and take to the water to explore the lake. Whichever you choose you will be captivated by the beauty of the lake.
Da Lat Night Market
One of the main Da Lat Vietnam attractions is the Da Lat Night Market. A short walk from Xuan Huong Lake. The Night Markets are a hive of activity and in the evening the streets come alive with street food restaurants and carts. Street stalls line the roadway selling a large range of clothing, trinkets, fresh fruit and vegetables.
If you are wondering where to eat in Da Lat, look no further than the Cho Dem Da Lat, a massive undercover street food market in the Night Market area. At this Da Lat Vietnamese restaurant you can try authentic Vietnamese food and you will find some of the most delicious dishes in Vietnam.
Within the cacophony of people, chatter, music, motorbikes and beeping horns you will find Da Lat Market (Cho Da Lat). The market is fronted by the statue of the Da Lat Women Monument, a tribute to women who sacrificed during the war.
Da Lat Market is a labyrinth of small shops selling dried fruit and delicacies from the region. You will also find stalls selling flowers and fresh fruit and vegetables. If you are looking for what to do in Da Lat at night, the market is a fascinating place to explore.
Lam Vien Square
It’s hard to miss Lam Vien Square as it takes pride and place in the centre of the city. This large open entertainment space is accentuated by massive glass structures in the shape of a sunflower and artichoke (flower bud) and overlooks Xuan Huong Lake.
The square is decorated with fountains, and it is a great place for people to gather in the evening. Hidden within the square you will find a large supermarket and shops. The Lam Vien Square is one of the best Da Lat Vietnam attractions to visit.
The Da Lat Cathedral
Da Lat has many Catholic churches the largest being the Da Lat Cathedral. The spire of the Da Lat Cathedral can be seen from Xuan Huong Lake and is fondly known as the ‘Chicken Church’ due to the chicken that sits on top of the spire. The Cathedral was completed in 1942 and is a prime example of French colonial architecture.
The Da Lat Eiffel Tower
Just when you thought Da Lat couldn’t get any more French, you look up and see the city’s very own Eiffel Tower. This novel creation is in fact a telecommunications tower cleverly styled into one of the world’s most iconic structures.
Hang Nga Crazy House Da Lat is one of the strangest attractions in Vietnam
The Da Lat Crazy House would have to be one of the most curious Da Lat Vietnam tourist attractions. Walking up to the entrance you begin to realise just how crazy it’s going to be.
Strange structures tower above you and their bizarre shapes are entwined in a myriad of twisting staircases that take you to strange worlds and views of the city. You can stop off for Crazy Coffee, buy souvenirs or sit and relax under the shady trees. Everyone needs to visit Da Lat Vietnam Crazy House at least once.
Da Lat Flower Garden
One of the prettiest Da Lat Vietnam attractions is the Da Lat Flower Garden which is 2 km from the city centre on Xuan Huong Lake. If you love flowers a visit to the Da Lat Flower Garden should be on the top of your list of places to see in Da Lat. The flower gardens are a peaceful retreat that can be visited year round and are at their best during winter and spring between December and March.
Da Lat Tours
Wanting to see the best Da Lat Vietnam attractions? There is a wonderful selection of Da Lat day trips that highlight the beauty and diversity of the region. For adventure, why not try ziplining or waterfall canyoneering. If you are looking for a culture trip, Da Lat doesn’t disappoint, there are a range of tours including Da Lat Countryside Day Tour and Da Lat City Day Tour.
Da Lat Countryside Day Tour
We chose to take the Da Lat Countryside Day Tour and had an unforgettable day learning about the culture and daily life of Da Lats local farmers. We can highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to visit Da Lat Vietnam. Here are the Da Lat tourist attractions you can experience during this day of visiting top Da Lat attractions.
Van Thanh Flower village
Da Lat is famous for its flowers and the regions moderate temperature is ideal for growing roses, carnations and gerberas to name a few. Driving out of the city you will be struck by the vast number of hot houses that dot the hillsides.
Van Thanh flower village is the largest flower village in the region. Here you will learn more about the Da Lat flower industry, enjoy a kaleidoscope of colourful blooms and get a feel for village life.
Da Lat Vietnam Coffee Plantation and Weasel Farm
Coffee was introduced into Vietnam by the French and today is the second largest producer of coffee after Brazil. Da Lat has a mild climate which is perfect for growing coffee and the region grows several varieties including Robusta, Arabica and Moka.
Weasel coffee is extremely popular and considered a delicacy in Vietnam. This unusual coffee is produced by feeding raw coffee beans to weasels. They eat the fruity outer layer of the coffee bean and swallow the beans which pass through their system. The coffee beans are then cleaned and roasted to produce a more flavoursome coffee with reduced caffeine.
The coffee plantation is in a beautiful setting overlooking lush green coffee trees and mountains, the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the local brew.
The Cricket Farm – One of the top Da Lat Vietnam attractions
I really didn’t know what to expect when they said we were going to a cricket farm. My imagination was running wild wondering how we were going to round them up. In the end I came to realise that crickets don’t need much room and they are easy to manage.
Visiting the cricket farm was like having a lightbulb moment. Crickets contain more protein than beef and can be produced in large numbers with little impact to the environment. The fact that they are tasty just adds to what could be a perfect food source.
While there we sampled fried cricket which was dipped in chilli sauce. The cricket had a crunchy texture with a delicious savoury taste. Our visit to the cricket farm really opened our eyes to new ecofriendly food options.
Linh An Pagoda
Driving up to Linh An Pagoda is breathtaking, the serene face of the Lady Buddha looks down from a towering height and is the centre piece of this stunning Buddhist temple complex.
The Linh An Pagoda is one of the most popular Da Lat Vietnam attractions and sits in a peaceful setting surrounded by trees and flowers. Fierce dragons guard the steps up to the Pagoda and in the background temple bells gently ring across the grounds.
While there take time to see the Happy Buddha which is flanked by laneways of elegant Lady Buddha sculptures. Panoramic views of the nearby Elephant Falls and surrounding countryside can be seen by taking the steps up into the main Lady Buddha Statue.
Elephant Falls
The Elephant Falls were named after the elephants that used to bathe in its waters. The walkway down to the river is steep and sometimes slippery but once at the bottom you can see the falls cascade onto the large grassy boulders that litter the riverbed.
At the base of the falls a cooling mist fills the air, and you can either explore the cave behind the waterfall or relax and watch the waters of the Cam Ly River twist and turn as it makes its way along the valley floor.
Da Lat Countryside Day Tour Lunch
For lunch we visited an authentic Vietnamese restaurant and tried a wonderful assortment of local dishes. The set menu lunch comprised of a large selection of meat and vegetarian options that were a feast for our group of six.
Silk Factory
After our visit to the Silk Factory, I came away with a better understanding and newfound respect for the silkworm and the silk making process.
The silk factory was a fascinating place to visit as we learnt how to distinguish a healthy silk cocoon from an unhealthy one. The perfect cocoon has a tightly spun shape in a clean cream shade while inferior cocoons are loosely bound and may have dark discolouration’s.
A top quality cocoon is spun in one continuous fibre and is used to make silk fabric. It takes eight strands of these fibres to make one single thread of silk, giving us a new appreciation of why silk is such an expensive fabric. During the silk making process nothing goes to waste, low grade cocoons are used to make blankets warmer, and others are used to make rope.
Minority Village Da Lat
There are over fifty ethnic minority groups in Vietnam, so we were honoured to discover their way of life when we visited a local K’ho village.
We were surprised to learn that the K’ho people live in a matriarchal society where women are the leaders of the community. Village life is communal with mothers, daughters and their families living together in a village environment.
When K’ho men marry they take their wife’s surname and any children from the marriage will bear their mother’s name. Once married the men live with their wife’s family where high expectations are placed upon them. If the men don’t work hard to provide for their families, they are returned to their parents.
Da Lat Vietnam Hotel Reviews
During our stay in Da Lat, we chose to try three different hotel styles and budgets in various locations across the city. Firstly, we stayed in the Da Lat Night Market area, a lively district and a popular place to stay in Da Lat. This area is central and within walking distance to the picturesque Xuan Huong Lake, the Cathedral of Da Lat and Lam Vien Square.
Secondly, we chose a French colonial style village resort, a touch of Art Deco elegance hidden within a leafy green mountain landscape and a short drive to Da Lat Vietnam attractions. The third was a friendly family style hotel which was located within a residential area and a short walk to coffee shops and restaurants.
TTC Hotel Da Lat Review
Walk out of the TTC Hotel Da Lat and you will find yourself in the heart of the Da Lat Night Market area. Of a morning you will be surrounded by flower stalls and a few steps from Da Lat Market. In the evening, the streets become a vibrant street food scene and you will find stalls selling a large selection of clothing and trinkets.
The TTC Hotel Da Lat is an older property with an older décor, but rooms are clean and spacious. The hotel has an onsite restaurant, bar and room service menu and breakfast is a selection of Asian and western dishes including an egg station.
Click here for pricing and reviews of TCC Hotel Da Lat
Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa Review
Da Lat is famous for its charming French inspired Art Deco villas, and we were excited to be staying in one for three nights. The Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa is set amid a peaceful conifer parkland and gardens. You could be mistaken for thinking you are in a mountain hideaway but in fact you are a short 2 km from the city centre.
Here you can experience the excitement of the city while enjoying the serenity of this captivating retreat. The villas were originally built between the 1920s & 1930s as holiday homes and residence for French officials from Saigon and personnel living in Da Lat.
These seventeen villas have a total of seventy-two guestrooms with private facilities. Each villa has its own unique style with a shared dining and sitting room. The villas are full of unique period features that allow you to take a step back in time. Our room opened out to a shared balcony which overlooked pine trees and the city below. Large windows were set into art deco curves allowing light to shine on the rich dark wood furnishings that decorate the room.
The bed was draped in fine netting and a fireplace added a touch of romance. The adjoining bathroom had gleaming white art deco style fixtures and an old fashioned clawfoot bath took centre stage in the bathroom.
Click here for reviews and pricing of the Ana Mandara Villas
Minh Chien Hotel Review
The Minh Chien Hotel is set within a typical residential neighbourhood. The area is safe with a mix of family homes and small hotels which are surrounded by Vietnamese restaurants and tiny family run shops. This modern hotel is perched midway up a hill and built in a charming French colonial style.
The foyer and rooms are meticulously clean, light and airy. The beds are comfortable, and the bathroom has a modern shower. Breakfast consists of mainly Asian dishes but there is toast and an egg station for those wanting a western breakfast. The hotel is 0.7 km from the Hang Nga Crazy House, 1.4 km from the Da Lat Market and 2.3 km from Xuan Huong Lake.
Click here for pricing and reviews of Minh Chien Hotel
Da Lat Vietnam weather
Da Lats mild year round climate is a drawcard for those wanting to escape the heat of Vietnams scorching summers.
Unlike the north of Vietnam which experiences four seasons, Da Lat weather is divided into two seasons, the wet and dry season. Da Lat dry season is between November and March (the colder months) and the rainy season is between April and October (the warmer months).
The average daily Da Lat Vietnam temperature throughout the year hovers between 15-24 Celsius. Generally, you will find that temperatures rarely go above 28 Celsius or below 8 Celsius. The best time to visit Da Lat is between January and March.
Da Lat Vietnam Map
Getting to Da Lat Vietnam
There are a few ways to get to Da Lat, it will all depend on which city you are leaving from. The quickest and easiest way to travel from Hanoi to Da Lat or Danang to Da Lat is to fly.
Air travel within Vietnam is quite cheap and there are often great deals to be found, something to keep in mind when planning your Vietnam travel. If you are taking the journey from Ho Chi Minh City or Nha Trang, there are a few more transport options to choose from.
Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat
Like Hanoi the quickest and easiest way to get to Da Lat is to fly. There are direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City with a flight time of around and hour.
Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat transfers by limousine shuttle bus
Enjoy the luxury of a shared limousine shuttlebus transfer between Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat or take the return trip from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City. The shuttlebus takes around 7 hours and has room for up to 9 passengers and there are multiple transfers per day. Sit back and watch the Vietnamese countryside drift by in reclining leather seats, airconditioned comfort and free WiFi.
Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat bus
The bus journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat takes around 7-8 hours and has multiple services a day. There is a choice of bus companies that operate between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat with varying degrees of comfort. You can either choose from a regular bus or the sleeper bus which allows you to stretch out and sleep your way through the journey.
Nha Trang to Da Lat
While you can fly from Nha Trang to Da Lat there are no direct flights. With flight connections in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi the journey time can take a minimum of 3 hours, the same amount of time it takes from Nha Trang to Da Lat by shuttlebus or bus.
Nha Trang to Da Lat transfers by limousine shuttle bus
With comfortable seating for 9 people, entertainment system and free WiFi the Nha Trang to Da Lat shared transfers by limousine shuttlebus is one of the most relaxing ways to make the 3 hour journey from Nha Trang to Da Lat.
Nha Trang to Da Lat bus
If you are planning to travel by bus from Nha Trang to Da Lat make sure to book your ticket early, especially if you are travelling during TET (Lunar New Year). Bus travel can be basic and we have heard that some of the drivers drive erratically but we found our driver to be safe and professional. The scenery to Da Lat is spectacular, you travel through valleys and climb up into the mountains passing villages and farmland along the way.
We book all our Asian bus and train journeys through 12Go Asia, they give a choice of services, timetables and varying degrees of comfort and have been happy with the journeys we have taken with them.
Nha Trang to Da Lat by bus video
Da Lat Vietnam Airport (Lien Khuong International Airport)
Lien Khuong International Airport is 33 km from Da Lat and takes around 45 minutes by car. Make sure to allow time for traffic jams during peak times as the journey may take longer. Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific and VietJet Air service the airport with direct flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hue and Hai Phong.
Flights throughout Vietnam can be cheap so make sure to check airline costs before you book trains or buses, it may be worth your while taking a flight rather than spending hours travelling to your chosen destination.
Quick Facts on Da Lat Vietnam
Da Lat is the capital of the Lam Dong Province in the southern region of the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
The closest city to Da Lat is Nha Trang, a popular seaside resort destination. The distance from Nha Trang to Da Lat is 134 km and takes around 3 hours by bus.
The distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat is 309 km, just under an hour’s flight from Ho Chi Minh City. The distance from Hanoi to Da lat is 1,417 km, a 1 ½ hour flight from Hanoi.
Hoi An to Da Lat distance is approximately 620 km by road. Daily flights from Da Nang to Da Lat are also available with a flight time of around 1 hour for a direct flight.
Last Words on Da Lat Vietnam
The blend of European and Vietnamese character, rainbow hued flowers, clear blue skies and a city that takes pride in its past are what I love about Da Lat. This charm filled city will work its way into your heart and will never be forgotten.
We hope you have enjoyed reading about the top Da Lat Vietnam attractions and hope that they inspire you to visit this beautiful region of Vietnam.
