The 9 Things You Must Do At Dalat, Vietnam

Đà Lạt, the capital of Lâm Đong Province in southern Vietnam’s Central Highlands, is centered around a lake and golf course, and surrounded by hills, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its distinctive temperate climate, Đà Lạt was developed as a resort by the French in the early 1900s, and many reminders of its colonial heritage remain. It is located at the elevation of 1500m above sea level. So the weather here is very chilly and comfortable. It is also a getaway for city people in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).

There is no need to book the hotel earlier unless your traveling date falls on their public holidays. However, early booking will get you a good deal in a better hotel. Please do take note that, almost 95% hotels in Dalat doesn't have air-condition in it.

To get to here, basically there are just two ways. Unless you are like the local, who likes to ride a motorbike all the way here from HCMC for 9 hours and there are even from Hanoi for 26 hours if non-stop. Yes, they are this crazy. Anyway, let's stick with 2 basic ways which are:

1. By Flight:
• Fly to HCMC and take a transfer flight to Dalat 
• The flight is as low as RM70++ per way
• Duration is 50 minutes
• Fastest but there is always a risk of flight delay. Personally I had experienced 2 hours flight delay.
2. By Bus:
• Take a bus from HCMC to Dalat
• The price is just 210,000vnd per way
• Duration is 7 hours
• Recommended to take sleeper bus rather than a limousine because it is more comfortable for long hours.
• Highly recommend Thanh Buoi bus which is clean and comfortable.
• Take an overnight bus to save a night from booking a hotel.

Now, here are the top 9 things you must do at Dalat.

1) Explore the Dalat Town

 The name Da Lat derived from the language of the local ethnic group Lạt and its original meaning is "Stream of the Lạt". If you like to take a stroll in a busy town, make sure you book your hotel in the Dalat town center. Rent a motorbike for just 150,000 vnd for 24 hours (I really do mean 24 hours) not included the petrol fee. A full tank of a motorbike can get me tour around Dalat including going to the suburb area for 3 days. It is really fuel saving.

Never miss their roundabout at the center of Dalat. You will see the antique cars and bike are planted with green grass. It is really beautiful. Not just on the day, while at night these antiques will be brighten up with colorful lights.It is a great place for your photography. You just have to ignore the traffic around the roundabout where people might looking at you.

At Lam Vien Square, Doha Cafe is the landmark of Dalat. It is an amazing design which you can enjoy your drinks in it while looking over the lake which is known as Ho Xuan Huong. It is opened from 7.00am to 10.00pm daily. The drinks priced reasonably but you have to give them extra credit for the decoration and environment that they have provided for you. For your information, below Doha Cafe is an underground mall which is known as the Big C Supermarket whereby there is a cinema in it. 

This is the Ho Xuan Huong whereby you will enjoy the amazing scenery of the lake. If you are an early bird, you can take jog around the lake to see the thick fog just above the lake. It is amazing.

The St. Nicholas Cathedral also called St Nicholas of Bari Cathedral (Nhà Thờ Chình Toà Thánh Nicola Bari) is a Roman Catholic cathedral, seat of the diocese of Da Lat, suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh. There are five masses every Sunday. The building was built as a Catholic parish by the French in 1931-1932 in an eclectic style Romanesque, but the interior was not completed until 1942. It replaces an old church built in 1917 with modifications in the chancel.

2) Cu Lan Village

Cu Lan Village is named after a local plant species that flourishes between the rows of pine trees. Cu Lan is also the Vietnamese word for a sloth that lives near the village. The village is nestled in a forest at the foot of Lang Biang mountain in Lac Duong District, 20km from Da Lat. Here, the K'ho, one of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam, live in stilt houses that lean against the steep slope. It is a pity if you do not witness this amazing place.

3) Linh Phuoc Pagoda

The 33 m long and 12-metre wide main hall features 2 rows of cobblestone mosaics. On top of it are many mosaic bas-reliefs featuring the history of Shakyamuni and the histories of the Lotus Sutras. Temple grounds (Hoa Long Vien) has a dragon length of 49 m, the dragon enclosure is made of 12,000 beer bottles, and the dragon mouth covers the Maitreya Buddha. In front of the temple grounds is a 37 m high seven-storeyed tower, which is considered the highest temple bell tower in Vietnam. In the heart of the Dai Hong Chung tower is a 4.3 m high bell that is considered the heaviest bell in Vietnam; it is also 2.33m wide, and weighs 8,500kg, and was cast in 1999. You just shouldn't miss a place that's free with such an awesome architecture.

4) Langbiang View Point (Radar Base)

Langbiang mountain is located in Lac Duong district which is 12km from Dalat in the North. With its height of 2,169m above the sea level, Langbiang mountain has not only been an attractive tourist site bit also kept legend about a passionate love. A better place to oversee the whole Dalat town? Here it is! Cold winds and beautiful scenery surround you can really be a good mind therapy. If you like challenge, hike and camp on this mountain for a night. I can assure you this will be an unforgettable experience for you. Surely! 

5) Dalat Railway Station

Da Lat railway station is a railway station on the Da Lat–Thap Cham Railway line in Vietnam, serving the town of Da Lat in Lâm Đồng Province. It was designed in 1932 by French architects Moncet and Reveron, and opened in 1938. Largely unused since abandonment of the railway during the later years of the Vietnam War, it was returned to a limited level of service in the 1990s with the reopening of a 7 km (4.3 mi) section of track leading to the nearby village of Trai Mat, operated as a tourist attraction. It is notable for its unique architectural style, which incorporates an overall Art Deco theme with elements of native Cao Nguyen communal houses from Vietnam's Central Highlands. If you want to look for a cool place to take photograph, look no further.

6) Tunnel Clay Sculpture

This interesting site, around a 20 minute drive from Dalat center, is a touch different to most in this Alpine region. Created by Trinh Thai Dung wishing to express himself with natural materials, he has forged a small village of clay. Take your time and explore the house of clay. This is definitely another unique photographing location for you.

7) Datanla Amusement Park

Too much photography activities? How about time to do some adrenaline rush activities instead. This High Rope Course challenge is definitely going to give you an entire experience of travelling. 

Not to forget the South East Asia longest sliding car too which is more than 2km long. You will definitely be thrilled with the excitement here.

8) Ghost Forest (Ma Rừng Lữ Quán)

You just need to feel peaceful, quiet, calm and relax. Stay here for a night. With the mountain at the back and the gushing river sound in the front, there is no reason you don't feel comfortable and enjoy. At night, you can have BBQ party with the locals and drinking beer throughout the night.

9) Dalat Night Market

Most of the tourists will be here during at night. This is the place where they enjoy the crowd, the food, the chilly weather and the walk. Especially during the weekend where some roads are sealed off from the traffic. You can walk freely on the road without need to feel terrify with the Vietnam traffic.

That's all the top 9 things you must do at Dalat. Overall, I really love and enjoy Dalat so much. You can enjoy it in a casual way with just a sip of Vietnamese coffee or you can opt for more extreme way with all kinds of challenging activities. You can do whatever you like with your preference and they got everything you wish for. I will definitely come back again. For your information, the best season to visit is from January to March where it is lesser rain and not too hot.