Da Lat (Dalat) Travel Guide
Facts
Area: 394.6 sq. km. (152.36 sq. mi)
Population: 425,000 (2020)
Language: Vietnamese
Province: Lâm Đồng
Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Time Zone: Indochina Time (GMT+7)
Religions and Beliefs: Buddhism, Catholicism, Caodaism, Islam
Located about 300 km (185 miles) northeast to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Da Lat is a vibrant city teemed with lush forests, lofty hills, turquoise lakes, blossoming flowers, coffee plantations and cascading waterfalls. At the end of the 19th century, a French doctor established the first sanatorium here, after which a large number of French-style villas were built, making Da Lat seem to be a European town. If you’re a backpacker, do not miss trekking, canyoning and hiking on your Da Lat travel. Famous for its fresh air, this bustling town known as the “City of Eternal Spring” is also a great resort where one can spend a cool and leisurely holiday and a honeymoon destination for newlyweds.
Best Places to Visit
2. Dalat Flowers Garden
3. Xuan Huong Lake
4. Dalat Center Market
5. Langbiang Mountain
6. Linh Phuoc Pagoda
7. Datanla Waterfalls
8. Elephant Waterfalls
9. Thien Vien Truc Lam
10. Domaine De Marie Church
Old-fashioned buildings, twisting streets and bright-colored flowers are all highlights of Da Lat travel trip. Originally a hotel, Crazy House is the most famous scenic spot in Dalat because of its exaggerated and weird shape. It’s a giant tree house made of a wide mass of wood and wire. You can climb the unique winding stairs and visit the rooms with different themes, such as spider, tiger and bear. Dalat Flowers Garden is home to a variety of colorful plant species and flowers including mimosa, orchid, peach, peony, and chrysanthemum. A famous flower festival is held annually in this “Flower City”. Xuan Huong Lake is a man-made lake in the shape of the crescent moon. You can not only rent a bicycle to ride around the lake, but also rest under the lakeshore trees, and ride a boat on the lake to enjoy the magnificent buildings by the lake.
Best Time to Visit Da Lat: October to March
Ranking List of Da Lat Food
2. Banh Trang Nuong - Vietnamese Pizza
3. Lau Bo Ba Tao - Beef Hotpot
With a unique flavor and a very distinct way of cooking, Da Lat food is a must thing to try on your Da Lat travel. As a popular breakfast, Banh Can is a kind of pancake. The rice batter is poured on hot molds made of earthenware and topped with other ingredients like shrimp, squid, eggs, and seasonal veggies. The dish is usually served with steaming broth, meatballs, onions, and fish sauce. Banh Trang Nuong is a variant of pizza cooked on a coal stove with green onions, dried shrimp, rice paper, pork, and tomatoes. Cut into triangular pieces, it is eaten with chili sauce. Lau Bo Ba Tao comes with fragrant beef, noodles, white tofu and vegetables like broccoli and Chinese cabbage.
Best Restaurants in Da Lat
• Goc Ha Thanh Restaurant: 53 Truong Cong Dinh Street, Da Lat.
• Trong Dong Restaurant: 220 Phan Dinh Phung St. Ward 2, Da Lat.
• La Viet Coffee: 200 Nguyen Cong Tru, Da Lat.
Where to Stay in Da Lat – 52% People Choose Hotels in City Center
2. Xuan Huong Lake: 29% - Tourists’ Choice
3. Phuong 3: 19% - Night Owls
With numerous French-style buildings and convenient living amenities, Dalat city center has naturally become the preferred area for accommodation on Dalat travel trip. Starting here, tourists can visit some famous attractions including Crazy House, Bao Dai Summer Palace and Center Market. Ana Villas Dalat Resort & Spa and Saphir Dalat Hotel are recommended. Among the top three spots in Da Lat, Xuan Huong Lake is scattered with lots of cozy hotels from luxury to budget. This neighborhood is perfect for sightseeing and family picnics. Besides, Dalat Railway Station also stands here. Phuong 3 is the party capital of Da Lat, ideal for night owls. Visitors can find plenty of clubs and pubs surrounding this locality.
Transportation in Da Lat
Local bus is absolutely the best way of transport for Da Lat travel due to its accessibility to most of the places in Dalat. There is a bus shelter by Xuan Huong Lake which can be availed if you are going towards south. Xe Om - local motorbike taxi is also a good choice to reach short-distance destinations. From Da Lat Airport to the city center, taxi is the best mode of transportation, which usually takes 40 minutes and costs USD 9-11.
Top Shopping Markets
• Dalat Center Market: Phan Boi Chau, Phuong 2, Thanh Pho, Da Lat.
• L’angfarm: 6 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 1, Phuong 1, Da Lat.
• Da Lat Night Market: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Da Lat City.
- Last updated on May. 18, 2021 -