Da Lat walking tour & city guide
A cool highland 'city of eternal spring'.
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Da Lat sits at 1,500 meters in Vietnam's Central Highlands, surrounded by pine forests, lakes and flower farms. The French built it as a cool retreat from the heat, and its villas, misty mornings and mild climate have earned it the nickname 'Little Paris' and the 'City of Eternal Spring'.
The city center
Xuan Huong Lake, a crescent-shaped lake in the center, is ringed by a walking path and pine trees. Above it, the Da Lat Market spills down the hill, and in the evening the night market fills the streets with food stalls and people in warm jackets enjoying grilled snacks.
French colonial villas are scattered across the hills, and the old railway station, built in the 1930s in Art Deco style, still runs a short tourist train. The 'Crazy House' is a fantastic building that looks like a giant tree, designed by architect Dang Viet Nga.
Gardens, waterfalls and farms
Da Lat is the flower capital of Vietnam, and flower gardens, greenhouses and strawberry farms surround the city. The Truc Lam Zen Monastery, reached by cable car, overlooks Tuyen Lam Lake.
Waterfalls like Datanla, with its alpine coaster, and Pongour are popular outings, along with coffee plantations, as Vietnam is one of the world's largest coffee producers.
Visiting tips
Bring a jacket, as evenings can be chilly. The dry season from December to March is the most pleasant. Da Lat is a short flight from Ho Chi Minh City, or a winding drive through the mountains.
Top sights in Da Lat
- 1
Xuan Huong Lake
A lake at the center of the city.
- 2
Da Lat Market
A busy market, especially at night.
- 3
Crazy House
A fantasy building like a giant tree.
- 4
Da Lat Railway Station
An Art Deco station with a vintage train.
- 5
Truc Lam Zen Monastery
A monastery reached by cable car.
- 6
Datanla Falls
A waterfall with a mountain coaster.
Food markets & where to eat in Da Lat
Da Lat Night Market
Grilled rice paper, soy milk and snacks.
Da Lat Market food hall
Local dishes and highland produce.
Coffee farms
Fresh local coffee with mountain views.
Hilltop cafés
Cafés overlooking the pine forests.
Food to try in Da Lat
Banh trang nuong
Grilled rice paper with egg, often called 'Vietnamese pizza'.
Hot soy milk
Sold at night with small cakes.
Strawberries and artichoke tea
Highland specialties.
Lau ga la e
Chicken hot pot with a local herb.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Da Lat
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in Da LatCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Da Lat.
- eSIM for VietnamStay online from the moment you land.
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