The City of Eternal Spring is a little French town engulfed in a highland climate all year round with sights of pine trees and tree marigold in southern Vietnam.
Photo by Adobe Stock
How To Get There
There are local airline flights from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Hanoi or Da Nang to Lien Khuong Airport daily. Other than Vietjet Air flying from Bangkok, there are no other direct international flights to Dalat from Asia. A cheaper alternative would be taking a 8 hours bus ride from HCMC.
Photo by Ana Mandara Villas Dalat
What To Do
Bao Dai Palace is one of the must-visit attractions in Dalat to see the past-dwelling of Nguyen Dynasty’s last emperor, King Bao Dai and its events of history. Otherwise, Lam Dong Musuem is also a cultural center that houses artifacts of history and local traditions.
Catch the sunrise at Xuan Huong Lake and stroll around the beautiful lakeside to see the blooming of cherry flowers at this time of the year. Next to the lake is Dalat Flower Garden with hundreds of flowers species around the world. Beyond the city center, one can take a jeep up Langbiang Mountain and visit an ethnic village on the way down.
Photo by Ana Mandara Villas Dalat
Where To Stay
Ana Mandara Villas Dalat is housed in a quaint French villa in the midst of pine forest. The romantic resort has exclusive cooking classes for guests, a tour around town, travelling to rural villages or go canyoning at Datanla waterfall.
Hang Nga Guesthouse or Crazy House is a quirky hotel in Dalat with psychedelic environment and architecture. The guesthouse explores the freedom of art and may make one feel like they are Alice in Wonderland. Otherwise, there are plenty of other inexpensive options around town.
Vietnam spring roll. Photo by Getty Images
Where To Eat
A Dalat specialty is definitely bánh tráng, grilled rice paper with egg and minced meat, commonly sold by the streets. The piping hot bánh tráng makes it the best snack to eat in cold climate. Another one is nem nuong, Vietnam’s best spring rolls with grilled pork patties. For more local street foods, find it at Dalat Night Market which opens from 6pm till 4am daily.
Good To Know
• Dalat is one of Vietnam’s chief agricultural producers due to its climate, high altitude and fertile landscape as compared to other areas in Vietnam.
• Traveling on motorcycle is one of the immersive ways to fully enjoy Dalat to see the countryside and waterfalls.
• Find various Dalat specialty jam products at their market like plum jam, yam jam, persimmon jam and etc.
Text by Jessy Wong
