Located in the lush green and mesmerizing natural beauty, Da Lat is just a treat for tourists visiting Vietnam. Here is a poetic description of why you must add Da Lat to your Itinerary while visiting Vietnam.
A place straight out of a fairytale. A place where there is spring all year round. A place full of magical mist. A place with twisting and winding roads. A place full of flowers. A place where you can experience all four seasons in a single day.
BY J C
Seriously?
Yes. Da Lat offers four seasons in a single day. The mornings are spring. The afternoons are summer. The evenings are autumn and at night it is winter.
Da Lat is located in Southern Vietnam. The city is known by many names such as the “Paris of Vietnam“, the “City of Flowers“, the “Vegetable Garden“, the “City of Eternal Spring“, the “City of Lovers“, the “Honeymoon and Wedding Capital“, the “City of thousands of pine trees” etc. This place is full of mountains, hills and waterfalls. It is the most romantic place in Vietnam. It is really a very charming city, tucked away amidst the mountains. The weather remains cooler than most places in Vietnam.
There are different opinions about the origin of the name “Da Lat”. According to one, the name is derived from the Latin phrase ‘Dat Aliis Laetitiam Aliis Temperiem‘ “It Gives Pleasure to Some and Freshness to Others”. This name was used by the French colonial government in their official emblem of Da Lat. According to the second opinion, the name Đà Lạt is derived from the language of the local ethnic group Lạt which means “Stream of the Lạt“.
Here is a Video that I found amazing on how you can spend your whole in Da Lat.
Try adding the local Festivals of Da Lat to your Itinerary as well
There are many local festivals celebrated in Da Lat such as the Dalat Flower Festival (Festival hoa Đà Lạt), Dalat Tea Culture Week (Tuần lễ văn hóa trà Đà Lạt), Cherry Blossom Festival (Lễ hội hoa anh đào), “Đồi cỏ hồng” Festival, Rain Festival (Lễ hội mưa) and the Gong Festival (Lễ hội cồng chiêng).
Da Lat can be the best hill station in Your Vietnam Itinerary
Da Lat is often referred to as a hill station. The French used this place as a hill station to escape from the heat of other parts of Vietnam. You can still see the French buildings and resorts from the time of the French Colonization of Vietnam. Da Lat is full of natural scenic beauty. From gushing waterfalls, green farms, charming architecture, mouth-watering delicacies, aromatic flowers and the spark of romance in the air, that’s the signature of Da Lat.
Da Lat is a natural paradise. When in Vietnam make sure to visit Da Lat. So here are some places which you should visit while you’re in Da Lat.
Top 5 Best Places to Add to Your Itinerary while Visiting Da Lat, Vietnam
1. Chua Linh Phuoc
Linh Phuoc Temple or Linh Phuoc Pagoda. It is made out of ceramics, bottles, glass, colourful paint and sculptures. This Pagoda is considered a special architectural mosaic.
2. The Crazy House
It is a guest house which has really weird and crazy architecture. It is just like a maze structure which amuses tourists.
3. Datanla waterfalls
This is a complex of small series of waterfalls. You can expect to go on some adventure activities here such as cable cars, hiking trails, canyoning, a high rope course etc.
4. Trúc Lâm Temple
It is a Buddhist temple. It is located outside Da Lat on a hilltop. The view from here is worth it to climb the hill and inside the temple, you will find peace and tranquillity.
5. Golden Buddha Pagoda
The Temple was built in 1952. In this statue, Buddha is seated in a meditative pose and is surrounded by blooming lotus flowers.
What to eat is one of the major concerns we come across, especially on International trips. Watch this video to get a full idea about what you can eat in Da Lat, Vietnam. Enjoy the video.
Some other places you might like to add to your Da Lat Itinerary
- Elephant Waterfalls (Thac Voi)
- Clay Tunnel Road
- Cuong Hoan Traditional Silk Factory
- Da Lat City Centre and Night Market
- Fairytale Land (Vinh Tien Winery)
- The Lighthouse at Tuyen Lam Lake
- The Maze Bar
- Lam Vien Square
- Cathedral of Da Lat Diocese
- Domaine de Marie
- Xuan Huong Lake
- Linh Ah Pagoda
Also, Read
Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam
1. Mekong River Delta
8th longest river in the world crossing five countries and ending in South Vietnam. It’s a popular place among tourists and one of the best destinations to visit near Ho Chin Minh City in Vietnam.
2. Phong Nha-Kĕ Bàng National Park
This National Park is famous for its cave system which extends to 126 km and is one of the best things to do in Vietnam. It is the largest cave system in the world as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is the most visited and popular place near Ha Long City. Its most distinctive feature is its limestone islands emerging from the Water.
4. Hanoi
It was used by the French when they colonized Vietnam twice. The Presidential Palace and the National Assembly are located in this district and are one of the most visited historical sites.
Also, Read
Hanoi Tourism: Things to do in Hanoi| Attractions, Eateries and FAQs
5. Dalat
Dalat is also known as the “Paris of Vietnam”, the “City of Flowers”, the “City of Eternal Spring” and the “City of Lovers”. This is a natural wonder and one of the must-visit destinations in Vietnam.
6. Hoi-An
It is an ancient town and is mostly visited by tourists interested in history and architecture. The streets are decorated with colourful lanterns making it a cool place to explore in Vietnam.
7. Hue
It is the former Imperial capital of Vietnam in the 19th century and a very popular historical location. The remaining palaces and temples are vivid evidence of the last feudal dynasty and are great to visit for families.
8. Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon
It is the biggest and most populated City in the country. Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City is the financial centre of Vietnam and hence draws a huge number of tourists.
Also, Read
31 Best Places to Visit in Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam Tourism
9. Mui Ne
It was a fishing village but now it is the most popular beachside and one of the top destinations in Vietnam. It has red sand dunes and a vast beach shaping it the best destination for adventure in Vietnam.
10. Phu Quoc Island
It is a quiet and relaxed island composing one of the top family destinations in Vietnam. This Island attracts a lot of couple tourists in Vietnam with its white sandy beaches and spectacular sunsets.
How to get around to reach the top 21 Destinations in Vietnam
Conclusion
Consisting of nature’s treasures, Da Lat has a lot to offer to a tourist. Without Dalat, the Itinerary of Vietnam can’t be considered complete. Da Lat is one of the most underrated destinations in Vietnam as well. It is a must-visit for any nature lover.
