EXPLORING DA LAT CITY: THE ENCHANTING MOUTAIN RETREAT OF VIETNAM

Da Lat City, a peaceful haven renowned for its breathtaking scenery, vivid flowers, and temperate environment, is tucked away in the verdant hills of Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Da Lat provides an eclectic mix of experiences, catering to nature lovers, foodies, and adventure seekers alike. I will show you the essential tips to visiting Da Lat City.

Da Lat City

1. Where is Da Lat City in Vietnam?

Da Lat City is a popular tourist attraction and is situated on the Lam Vien Plateau. With a total size of almost 400 km2, Da Lat is regarded by the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee as a first-class city. This is the main economic hub of Lam Dong, situated in a prime area that borders numerous other wealthy regions.

Da Lat is often referred to as the “City of Eternal Spring” due to its mild weather and beautiful flora.

Da Lat is about 278km from Bien Hoa City (Dong Nai), 293km from Ho Chi Minh City, 1,481km from Hanoi Capital and 205km from Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa).

2. How to get there?

By Plane

The quickest way to reach Da Lat is by flying into Lien Khuong Airport, which is approximately 30 kilometers from the city center. Several airlines operate daily flights from major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. From the airport, you can take a taxi or shuttle bus to the city. The reference price of a plane ticket for one passenger is from 1.000.000 to 2.000.000 VND (41.6 to 83.3 USD).

By Bus

For a more budget-friendly option, consider taking a sleeper bus from Ho Chi Minh City. The journey takes around 6-8 hours, and several companies operate daily services. This allows you to experience the scenic views of the countryside along the way.

Here are the bus services running from Saigon to Da Lat:

Phương Trang

Phone contact: 1900 6067

Reference ticket price: 165.000 – 340.000 VND/ticket/passenger (6.8 to 14.1 USD)

Website: futabus.vn

Phong Phú

Phone contact: 1900 9222

Reference ticket price: 750.000 VND/ticket/passenger (31 USD)

Cúc Tùng

Phone contact: 1900 888 684

Reference ticket price: 190.000 VND/ticket/passenger (7.9 USD)

In addition, you can visit the websites below to book tickets online fastest:

Website: vexere.com or traveloka.com

3. The weather of Da Lat City

There are two primary seasons for the weather in Da Lat, which offers visitors a variety of experiences:

Rainy season: Da Lat experiences a space full of fresh flowers from April to the end of October, when the rainy season begins. The cold, muggy air and frequent showers during this season heighten tourists’ sense of wonder and connection to the natural world.

Dry season: Da Lat enters a dry season with warm, sunny days, little rain, and few clouds from November to March of the next year. The air is chilly and the sunlight is soft during the day. The temperature tends to drop at night, bringing with it a cool atmosphere characteristic of the highland plains.

Furthermore, the weather of Da Lat is renowned for its fascinating fog phenomena. The months with the most fog appearance are February through May, as well as September and October. A mysterious and romantic atmosphere is created by the humid and misty fog, adding interest to your journey.

Each season in Dalat has its own beauty

The ideal time to visit Da Lat is the period from early November to March, late autumn to early winter and the beginning of spring. Late October, early November is the season of wild sunflowers blooming. Spring has cherry blossoms blooming and many other flowers blooming, this is also the most beautiful season of the year.

4. Top attractions to explore in Da Lat City

4.1. King Palace (Bao Dai Palace)

In Da Lat, Bao Dai Palace is one of the most well-known tourist destinations that travellers should not miss. While King Bao Dai was still in power, he resided and worked at the villas and mansions known together as Bao Dai Palace. Among King Bao Dai’s seven mansions, Palace I, Palace II, and Palace III are the three that are situated in Da Lat City.

Learning about the history of Bao Dai Palace in Da Lat city helps visitors understand more about the process of building and restoring the palace.

Interior architecture of Bao Dai Palace I Dalat

You will have the opportunity to learn about the ancient culture of the feudal era. In addition, you can transform into king or queen to have the most authentic feelings about the life of the ancient nobility.

The specific addresses of Bao Dai Palace in Da Lat are as follows:

Palace I: No. 1 Tran Quang Dieu Street, Da Lat City.

Palace II: No. 12, Tran Hung Dao Street, Da Lat City.

Palace III: No. 1 Trieu Viet Vuong Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily.

Ticket Price: Range from 40.000 to 90.000 VND/person (1.6 to 3.75 USD)

4.2. St. Nicholas Cathedral (Chicken Church)

St. Nicholas Cathedral (Chicken Church) is located on Tran Phu Street, a prime location in the center, with the most hotels in Da Lat, and was built from 1931 to 1942, and has undergone three constructions.

Chicken Church is an ideal destination for many domestic and international tourists.

One of the reasons why many tourists come to visit the Chicken Church is because of its unique architecture. The church was designed with strong influences from Roman Catholic churches in Europe. The Chicken Church is designed symmetrically, in the shape of a cross, with a length of 65m and a width of 14m, the main door facing the “roof” of Da Lat – the majestic Langbiang mountain.

The large room is located in the middle of the sanctuary of Chicken Church.

Address: No. 15, Tran Phu Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 5:15 AM to 6:15 AM and 5:15 PM to 6:15 PM from Monday to Saturday. Opening from 5:15 AM to 6:15 PM on Sunday.

4.3. Valley of Love

Valley of Love is one of the hottest tourist destinations in Da Lat, chosen by many travel enthusiasts. This place is located deep inside the hillside, surrounded by rows of poetic green pine trees.

Valley of Love

During the French colonial period, this valley was called Vallée d’Amour. After many restorations, this valley has become more and more poetic and romantic, with many large-scale constructions, attracting domestic and foreign tourists to explore. This place has also become a romantic dating place and a testament to love.

The valley possesses poetic beauty

When you coming here, you can freely check in with a series of beautiful locations such as: Love maze, Giant chessboard, Statue De Cire wax sculpture exhibition area, Wishing tree, and Hydrangea garden.

From Vong Canh Hill you can see the whole beauty of Da Lat mountains and forests.

Address: No. 5-7, Mai Anh Dao Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily.

Ticket Price: 250.000 VND/Adult and 125.000 VND/Children with height from 1m-1m39.

4.4. Linh Phuoc Pagoda

Linh Phuoc Pagoda is also known as Ve Chai Pagoda. The pagoda is located in the suburbs, about 8km from the center of Da Lat city. This place has caused many “storms” on social networking sites with artistic check-in photos of virtual believers. Thanks to that, the pagoda is increasingly famous and attracts many visitors from all over the world.

The distinctive feature of Da Lat’s Linh Phuoc Pagoda is its exterior structures, which are inlaid with fragments of porcelain, earthenware, and bottles. As a result, Ve Chai Pagoda is another name for this pagoda. The pagoda is 6,666.84 m2 in size. Its main hall is 33 m long and 12 m broad, with two rows of porcelain-inlaid dragon pillars. Additionally, there are only 11 records owned by this pagoda in Vietnam.

When you visit Linh Phuoc Pagoda and Ve Chai Pagoda, you will be astounded by the wax statue of the illustrious monk Minh Ha Duc, who appears to be an identical replica of the genuine person. Thai artists used their ability and talent to produce this piece. When first viewing this monument, many tourists are taken aback by how lifelike it appears, with 90% of its features—from the hairline to the wrinkles—looking just like a real person.

Linh Phuoc Pagoda’s architecture is extremely unique.

Address: No. 120, Tu Phuoc Street, Da Lat City

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entrace Fee: Free

4.5. Tuyen Lam Lake

Approximately 7 kilometres from Da Lat’s city centre is where Ward 4 is located to Tuyen Lam Lake. Surrounded by rolling hills and pine forests, this artificial freshwater lake is the largest in Da Lat.
Due to its stunning setting, Tuyen Lam Lake draws tourists who come to take in the calm, fresh air, watch the sun set and rise, or capture special moments with friends and family.

Tuyen Lam Lake – top attractions in Da Lat City


You can opt to rent a boat or participate in SUP rowing trips in order to fully appreciate the beauty of this man-made lake. The price ranges from 300.000 to 500.000 VND (12.5 to 20.8 USD), suitable for carrying 6 to 15 people. As for individual travelers, it is recommended to join a tour from 150.000 to 350.000 VND (6.25 to 14.5 USD) per person to save costs and have a companion to enjoy the lake view.

Experience SUP rowing trips


It will be far more fun to row a kayak around Tuyen Lam Lake yourself rather than just relaxing on a motorboat. This kind of activity is highly well-liked by young people in groups, particularly couples who wish to spend romantic moments drifting on the peaceful lake together.

The reference price for a Kayaking Tour on Tuyen Lam Lake is about 400.000 VND/person (16.6 USD) and only applies to groups of 2 to a maximum of 20 people.

Address: Tuyen Lam Lake National Tourist Area, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: all day

4.6. Clay Tunnel

The tunnel is located in the suburbs of Da Lat city, in Ward 4, about 14km south of the city center. This unique architectural work is quite close to attractive tourist attractions such as Tuyen Lam Lake and Truc Lam Zen Monastery.

One of the must-see Da Lat tourism attractions is the Clay Tunnel.

Near Clay Tunnel, the fascinating lake known as Infinity Lake (Vo Cuc Lake) is a must-see. With its quiet and lovely surroundings, it provides breath-taking sweeping views of the towering mountains and winding rivers that stretch into the distance.

Vo Cuc Lake

Furthermore, when visiting Clay Tunnel, it is hard to miss these two remarkable dwellings made of red basaltic dirt. They captivate guests with their eye-catching and inventive designs while also emanating a lovely rustic ambiance.

Two houses made of red basaltic soil

Address: Dalat Star tourist area, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily

Ticket Price: 90.000 VND/Adult and 30.000/Children

4.7. Dalat Night Market

Da Lat night market is also known by the interesting name “Ghost Market”. This is a famous destination, attracting tourists when visiting the city of thousands of flowers. What is special and curious for tourists is the somewhat mysterious name of this Da Lat market. The night market is not only famous for hundreds of stalls displaying products, but Da Lat night market is also a paradise for you to enjoy delicious food and experience the unique culture of the highlands.

Dalat night market

Many locals and tourists enjoy the street food at the night market

When you come here, you will enjoy dishes such as Vietnamese grilled rice paper, hot soy milk, grilled meat skewers, avocado ice cream, crab noodle soup, and vermicelli soup. In addition, Da Lat night market cannot ignore the stalls from clothes, agricultural products, fruits to souvenirs.

Vietnamese grilled rice paper is a popular street food at the night market.

Address: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM daily.

The night market in Da Lat is located right in the city center, so it is quite easy for tourists to get here. If you rent a hotel in the center or neighboring wards such as Ward 10, Ward 2, you can walk to the night market. If you stay further away, you can rent a motorbike or take a motorbike taxi or taxi to Da Lat.

The price of renting a motorbike in Da Lat is affordable prices, only from 100.000 – 150.000 VND (4.1 to 6.25 USD), you will have a motorbike to enjoy the city at night.

5. Top dishes in Da Lat that you must visit

5.1. Bánh Mì Xíu Mại (Baguette with shumai bowl)

Vietnamese sandwich features savory meatballs (xíu mại) served in a crispy baguette, often topped with fresh cilantro, cucumber, and chili sauce. This is the best dishes when you visit Da Lat City. The prices of each bowl of Bánh Mì Xíu Mại is 15.000 to 20.000 VND (0.6-0.8 USD).

You can visit these sites to enjoy Bánh Mì Xíu Mại:

Bánh Mì Xíu Mại Cô Hồng

Address: No. 72, Yersin Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 5:00 AM to 6:30 PM daily.

Bánh Mì Xíu Mại Bé Linh

Address: No. 26, Hoang Dieu Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.

Bánh Mì Xíu Mại Cô Sương

Address: No. 14, Anh Sang Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily.

5.2. Bánh Ướt Lòng Gà (Steamed rice paper with chicken salad)

While steamed rice paper are typically consumed with gammon in other areas, residents of the city of thousands of flowers put a unique twist on the dish: steamed rice paper are served with nutrient-dense chicken gizzards. Cooking delectable wet rice cakes with chicken gizzards requires talent and attention to detail at every stage. In particular, selecting the rice, pulverising the flour, and combining the flour in the proper amounts to bake the cake. To ensure a smooth and uniform cake, spread with an even hand.

Da Lat residents frequently prefer fresh chicken when eating it to ensure that the meat is just the right amount of moist and dry. The chicken will have a distinct flavour and not taste fishy thanks to the mixture of spices used throughout the marinating process. Wet rice cakes, chicken gizzards, chicken, and a small amount of green vegetables make up with chicken gizzards in Da Lat.This dish will look quite beautiful during Da Lat’s chilly days. The price of Bánh Ướt Lòng Gà is 25.000 to 50.000 VND per dish (1 to 2 USD).

Here are the top Bánh Ướt Lòng Gà restaurant in Da Lat:

Bánh Ướt Lòng Gà Long

Address: No. 202/2/5, Phan Dinh Phung Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM daily.

Bánh Ướt Lòng Gà Thảo

Address: No. B6-12A, Trieu Viet Vuong Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Monday to Sunday (exclude Tuesday)

Bánh Ướt Lòng Gà Bảo Hân

Address: No. 51, Yersin Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily.

5.3. Bánh Căn (Vietnamese mini pancake)

Bánh Căn is one of the delicious dishes of Da Lat that you should definitely take the time to enjoy with your relatives and friends every time you travel to Da Lat. This is a breakfast dish in Da Lat that cannot be missed, especially on cold, foggy early mornings. Banh Can in Da Lat has many different types of fillings such as: seafood (shrimp, squid), quail eggs, minced meat, served with fish sauce with scallion oil mixed according to each restaurant’s own recipe.

Banh Can costs on average from 20.000 to 40.000 VND per dish (0.8 to 1.6 USD).

Top delicious Banh Can restaurants in Da Lat:

Bánh Căn Lệ

Address: No. 27/44, Yersin Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM daily.

Bánh Căn Nhà Chung

Address: No. 1, Nha Chung Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily.

Bánh Căn Ngọc

Address: No. 5, Ba Thang Tu Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily.

5.4. Bánh Tráng Nướng

Nowadays, grilled rice paper from Da Lat can be found in many towns and provinces, with variations based on regional preferences. There are some variations in Da Lat’s grilled rice paper preparation process, including a wider variety of ingredients and more complex grilling and serving techniques. Additionally, some eateries make Da Lat grilled rice paper using a proprietary formula, giving the meal a distinct flavour.

Grill rice paper – The best street food in Dalat

To make this delectable Da Lat meal, thin rice paper is grilled over hot coals while a variety of ingredients and spices are added, including eggs, minced meat, sausage, ham, cheese, scallion oil, pate, beef jerky and chilli sauce. Since everything is grilled, the meal has a crunchy, aromatic, and highly flavourful texture. The price of Banh Trang Nuong from 15.000 to 20.000 VND (0.6 to 0.8 USD)

Top Bánh Tráng Nướng eateries in Dalat:

Bánh Tráng Nướng Chị Huyền

Address: No. 1/2, Nha Chung Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM daily.

Bánh Tráng Nướng Bé Lùn

Address: No. 50, Pham Ngoc Thach Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 3:00 PM to 10:30 PM daily.

Bánh Tráng Nướng Cô Hoa

Address: No. 56, Thong Thien Hoc, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM daily.

6. Top Cafe Shop in Dalat

6.1. Túi Mơ To

Tui Mo To Coffee Shop is not only a very famous check-in location, but also a delicious coffee shop in Da Lat. With the space mainly being outdoors, the shop is very airy, coming to Tui Mo To you can sip a cup of coffee while watching Da Lat, sometimes very romantic, sometimes very simple and cozy.

Tui Mo To

In particular, the shop is built on the premises of the Reply 1994 homestay area, so this place has a strong vintage, ancient style with a daisy garden planted right in front of the alley, an old corrugated iron-roofed wooden house decorated in a retro style, exuding a rustic, simple but equally sophisticated look. Not to mention, this place also attracts visitors with its delicious and diverse menu of drinks and food.

Another special feature of Tui Mo To is the large yard outsid, from here, you can see the Langbiang peak and the entire valley in the distance.

Address: No. 31, Sao Nam Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily.

Prices: 50.000 to 80.000 VND (2 to 3.3 USD)

6.2. Tiệm Cà Phê Cô Bông

Co Bong has made a strong impression on locals and domestic and foreign tourists. Because of its ancient 90s-style design. With an old house, along with objects associated with our grandparents’ childhood. Such as a black and white TV, an old cub motorbike, a foot-operated sewing machine.

The drinks here are also quite delicious and diverse, with reasonable prices, so they attract many tourists and locals.

Every detail is neatly arranged according to the 90s concept.

Table and chair set, television, radio from “our grandparents’ time.

Address: No. 238, Yersin Street, Da Lat City.

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily.Prices: 35.000 to 50.000 VND (1.4 to 2 USD)