Tunnel Clay (Đường Hầm Điêu Khắc), Dalat
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| The clay tunnel or Dalat model village of clay sculptures is a must-see destination. Covering more than 1,200 square metres of lush pine forest, the clay tunnel is a new artificial wonder for Dalat city in the central highland province of Lam Dong. The clay tunnel located in the middle of the pine forest and its a miniature version of Dalat city, includes unique architectural masterpieces such as the railway station, Bao Dai’s Palace, Pasteur Institute, Dalat University, Palace Hotel, Linh Son Pagoda, Ho Xuan Huong Lake, and Dalat market are meticulously reproduced with red clay. |
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| The clay tunnel is also the culminated groundbreaking of material. After 4 years of studying, the owner finds new recipes of turning clay into a new material with unique colors and friendly to environment. |
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| The exploring tour of this unique clay tunnel starts from the dragon's head and ends at its tail. When entering the tourist area, tourists will see a giant dragon, which creates an attractive tourist image and stimulates the curiosity of visitors. |
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| In the area of Clay Sculptures, there is a house with an area of about 90 square meters. This really is a tourist attraction with high humanistic educational features for our generations. |
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| Dalat is a charming city with vast flowers gardens, winding mountain passes, Iushy green pine forests and amiable people. Many visitors to Dalat are so charmed by its beauty that they hesitate to leave after just one visit; many choose it as their second home. Trinh Thai Dung is one of those people. Leaving behind his managing position and a successful career in Ho Chi Minh City, the biggest and wealthiest city in Vietnam, Dung came to Dalat to pursue his small but passionate dream. |
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| Coming to this land also means leaving with empty hands; he had to start everything from dust. He came to the east side of Tuyen Lam lake with a dream to create and express himself in this new land. Living with no power, no clean water and no means of transport is definitely a challenge to anybody; however, his passion and confidence in the ability to give earth a spirit have helped him overcome his difficulties. Furthermore, he has given a spirit to the lifeless clay of this land for establishing the Clay Tunnel – Dalat Star. |
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| Passing many winding roads to find him, we are surprised by his effort in making this mountainous land to be a place to realize his dream – Dalat Star. The first surprise comes when a dyke decorated with an artwork came into view. It is a clay picture depicting the typical scenery of the Central Highlands mountains: some deer roaming on a grass land and a spring flowing nearby. The artist must be a true lover of nature to create such a spirit in this picture. |
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| This interesting site, around a 20 minute drive from Dalat center, is a touch different to most in this Alpine region. Taking a taxi, sign up with a local tour or rent a motorbike is the way to come to this amazing place. |
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| This place is definitely another photography paradise! You will never get lack of idea around here. However, we were not so lucky on that day because the rain has been a spoiler to us. |
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| No white cloud and blue sky and just dull grey sky for us which is not helping me to get you excited with this beautiful place. |
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| There are restaurants, stalls and souvenir shops here with all fancy decoration. However, there are not many visitors during raining season so that's why there is lack of visitors here. |
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| Dalat is also famous with strawberry farms. If you have not decide which farm to go yet, you can drop by to the farm inside here. It is not too expensive to experience plucking the strawberry by yourself. |
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| The strawberries in Vietnam is actually not sweet and juicy like Australia. New Zealand, Korea and Japan. Their strawberry tend to be raw and tasteless. So don't be surprise. |
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| Choosing to be a “Robinson” of Dalat mountains away from a bustling city to give a spirit to the lifeless clay, Dung has spent a great deal of effort and money on this place. He has been trying to study and make his own formulas to create more clay projects. He is just beginning them and there are many things left to be completed. He is planning to build a house with frogs playing music and the longest sofa in Vietnam with specific milestones of Vietnam’s history along its length. Hopefully, his dreams will come true in the near future to give more spirit to Langbian highland and poetic Dalat. |
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| Following the path, we come to the cottage that he calls “the house of dream and love”. The house seems to express his love to the country. At the roof of the house is the map of Vietnam. “Fatherland always has The most important place in my heart. If Vietnam holds the key to my heart, it must have the top position in my work, a position that everyone can see and feel no matter how distant they are. I want everyone of us to keep Vietnam on his/her mind wherever he/she is,” Dung confides. Entering the house, we can feel the archaism and nostalgia in its decoration. |
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| The house is small but comfortable with modern facilities. We are really impressed by its fireplace with the shape of a teapot. It reminds us of our childhood when we were sitting by the fire with the family, sipping hot tea in the coldness of Dalat winter. The most special thing in this house is the bed in the middle of a pool. Lying in bed you can watch the fish swimming in the water and the wild plants Dung brought home from the forest. |
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| lt is like lying in nature and living with nature. His table and chairs, bathtub, sink, etc. are all created from clay with his talented hands. His ”house of love” was recorded as “the first and biggest clay house with a Carved roof with Vietnam’s map” by Vietnam Record Organization in December 2012. He names this house “sweet garden”, a place for families because he wants everyone who comes here to feel the sweetness and coziness it brings and every family member to feel happy when they stay here. |
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| Overall, I really recommend to visit this place at least once. It is very worth it for those who likes to take photograph. It is just 40,000vnd (adult) and 20,000vnd (kids). |
Ambiance: 4/5
Cleanliness: 4/5
Service: 3/5
Recommended?: Yes
Clay Tunnel Dalat
Phường 4, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam
Tel: +84 94 728 92 69
Opening Hours: 8.00am - 5.00pm (daily)
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