Discover this European-esque metropolis tucked between the central highlands of Southern Vietnam — with aircon climate as well!
Da Lat is thought for being many issues — the Metropolis of Love, of Everlasting Spring, of Flowers, of Pine Timber, of Poetry… not the credentials usually related to Southeast Asian locations. Fascinated, we set off to discover with excessive expectations and an open thoughts.
Having solely been to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis and Ben Tre, I’ve all the time thought-about Southern Vietnam to be a land of huge tropical jungles, motorcycle-lined streets, and the notorious sweltering humidity.
I couldn’t be extra improper.
So for those who’re in search of a brief weekend getaway stuffed with gorgeous views and eclectic artwork, right here’s a three-day Da Lat itinerary, the place you’ll discover one of many dreamiest Southern Vietnam cities.
Learn additionally: 15 Pho-nomenal Experiences You Should Add to Your Northern Vietnam Itinerary — Halong Bay, Hanoi and Sapa
Pre-trip Necessities
– Digital Vaccination Certificates — obtain by way of Notarise
– Journey insurance coverage — min. protection of US$10,000 (~S$14,000) for Covid-19-related medical remedy
– 4G SIM Card with limitless information — pre-book and gather at Ho Chi Minh’s Tan Son Nhat Worldwide Airport
– Airport switch — decide up from Da Lat’s Lien Khuong Airport to your lodging
Tips on how to Get to Da Lat?
Da Lat is fairly accessible from a number of cities in Southern Vietnam, with non-public charters and buses being standard choices. However from Singapore, probably the most easy route can be to take one of many following choices from Ho Chih Minh metropolis:
Flight: one-hour flight from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis to Lien Khuong Airport, return tickets from ~S$67
Bus: 6–8 hour sleeper buses depart for Da Lat every day from ~S$16. To maximise time, take an in a single day bus so you could have a full day upon arrival!
Personal constitution: For extra flexibility in pick-up time and placement, guide a non-public constitution from ~S$210 one-way
*Professional-tip: The most effective time to go to Da Lat is between December to March when the typical rainfall is at its lowest.
Day 1: Arrival and Journey in Da Lat
Verify in to your Da Lat Lodging — Loopy Home
One of the crucial distinctive sights to go to in Da Lat is Loopy Home, which can be a guesthouse. Intrigued by the outrageous idea, we determined that the easiest way to kick-start the journey was to spend the evening right here!
Photograph credit score: Loopy Home
The constructing appears to be like proper out of Hansel and Gretel, with winding staircases resulting in secret alcoves and the roof. Its eccentric structure is the brainchild of Vietnamese artist Dang Viet Nga, who felt so impressed after visiting Da Lat that she created this fantastical guesthouse. Her design course of and sketches might be discovered on show upon coming into the compound.
We opted for the cosy Bamboo Room because it was the tamest out of all of the choices however even that felt creepy at evening — sure, we’re scaredy cats. For the braver souls, the animal-themed guestrooms are what Loopy Home is thought for. No two rooms are alike and the central animal statues are a cross between cute and terrifying.
The home can be open to the general public and unoccupied rooms are open to look into. The home has a number of themed frequent areas equivalent to an aquatic room and guests are inspired to roam round twisting stairs. So even for those who don’t keep there, you possibly can nonetheless drop by to test it out!
Entrance price: from 20,000₫ (~S$1.20/pax), worth varies in your top
Value of keep: From ~S$42/evening
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 7PM
Deal with: 03 Đ. Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, Phường 4, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 66115, Vietnam
Datanla Excessive Rope Course and New Alpine Coaster
When you suppose alpine forest adventures can solely be present in Switzerland, suppose once more.
Da Lat is surrounded by lush pine forests — making it nature’s playground. Unleash your inside youngster with the Datanla Excessive Rope Course, a excessive parts impediment course that’s constructed into the forest.
There are seven ranges of issue to select from so it will depend on your urge for food for journey.
As somebody who’s okay with heights, I used to be shocked to search out out that we’ve got to finish it by ourselves — together with clipping the hooks onto the road!
I triple-checked the security out of paranoia earlier than each zipline and had a case of jelly legs. Trying again, the satisfaction of finishing the course and flying by means of the air is unparalleled.
Stroll up the principle highway and also you’ll discover the doorway to the Datanla New Alpine Coaster on the left. It’s the longest curler coaster path in Asia, spanning 2.4km, and takes about 4 minutes to finish at full velocity! The velocity might be managed by the rider within the again seat so you possibly can resolve how a lot of a daredevil you need to be.
As a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, rocketing down at wind velocity actually had my coronary heart racing in the easiest way! I used to be gripping the brakes at each sharp flip however fortunately, I managed to chorus from pulling it. 😬
After screaming your lungs out, there can be a mid-point cease the place you must get off the coaster tracks and change carts. Right here, you possibly can select to spend a while admiring the beautiful Datanla Waterfall. With a number of legends and lore surrounding the falls, it has turn into recognized by locals because the ‘Assembly Place of Lovers’.
Whereas zero lovers had been discovered 😔, it’s a stunning photograph cease to snap footage earlier than you full the remainder of the coaster path!
Value: ~S$27.10/pax for each sights
Opening hours: 8AM – 4PM, final entry at 1:45PM (Excessive Rope Course); 7AM – 5PM, final entry at 4:30PM (Datanla New Alpine)
Deal with: 01 Lê Đại Hành, Phường 1, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam
Dinner at Da Lat Evening Market
Exploring evening markets are a must-do in Vietnam and the Da Lat Evening Market is one of the best place for buying and grabbing a chunk. Put your bargaining expertise to the check on the retail facet of the market, the place outerwear and knitwear are bought. My favorite buy is a hand-knitted rooster beanie I copped for 100,000₫ (~S$6)
As for meals, certainly one of Da Lat’s hottest dishes is the Vietnamese Pizza. Grilled on the spot over a hearth, it consists of rice paper, eggs, ham, dried shrimp, candy chilli, and mayo — all for 25,000₫/piece!
Da Lat can be recognized for its many strawberry farms so you will discover inexpensive recent strawberries bought all over the place available in the market. There are additionally stalls promoting boxed strawberries you possibly can take house as souvenirs.
Opening hours: 6PM – 7AM
Deal with: 6b Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Phường 1, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 690000, Vietnam
*Professional-tip: Eat strawberries the native means with a mixture of fish sauce and shrimp powder!
Maze Bar
Think about a haunted-house-slash-escape room the place each nook is carved and painted in a weird and distinctive type. Also often called the 100 Roof Cafe, this unsuspecting bar is definitely house to an enormous labyrinth of themed flooring and quirky decor — reminiscent of the Loopy Home.
Photograph credit: Maze Bar
The target is to discover the totally different rooms and discover your solution to the key backyard on the roof. There are some areas that may require you to crouch down and enter, so for those who’re vertically blessed keep in mind to look at your head!
*Word: There gained’t be any workers stationed inside the maze so you must discover the way in which out!
There isn’t a entry cost however you’ll have to order a drink earlier than you enter. We ordered the Mojito (60,000₫) and the Whiskey Coke (70,000₫) earlier than descending into the basement to begin.
Photograph credit: Maze Bar
Wandering across the caverns transports you into an alternate universe. There are additionally loads of seats on every flooring to lounge and take breaks. We spent a great 30 minutes discovering our means by means of the totally different flooring earlier than relishing our success on the roof.
Opening hours: 2:30PM – 11PM
Deal with: 57 Phan Bội Châu, Phường 1, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam
Day 2: Exploring Central Da Lat
Lang Biang Mountain
An excellent mountain climbing spot right here is Lang Biang Mountain, also referred to as the ‘Roof of Da Lat’ because it’s the tallest mountain within the area. The path resulting in the height begins proper earlier than the doorway gate. Take a proper and also you’ll discover a dust path main into the forest. The 4.5 km trek takes underneath two hours to finish and entry prices ~20,000₫/pax.
Alternatively, you possibly can attain the height inside quarter-hour from the doorway by taking a two-way jeep shuttle (100,000₫/pax). Shuttles usually wait until passengers fill the six seats earlier than making an ascent.
*Professional-tip: When you’re in a rush and there are lower than 6pax, you possibly can choose to pay the additional distinction for a shorter shuttle ready time.
As soon as on the peak, you’ll be greeted with panoramic views of Da Lat’s valley and its surrounding highlands. Photograph-ops with dwell falcons, horses, and viewing factors are broadly accessible at an additional value.
There are additionally memento outlets and cafes situated there for some buying or snacks earlier than heading down.
Entrance price: 50,000₫ (~S$3/pax)
Opening hours: 7AM – 5PM
Deal with: 2CWR+M3W, Thị trấn Lạc Dương, Lạc Dương, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam
*Professional-tip: Arrive earlier than 9AM to beat the tour bus crowds!
Da Lat Flower Park
Da Lat is also referred to as the Metropolis of Everlasting Spring — in all probability as a result of it’s house to 300 totally different flower species! Carve out a while in your Da Lat itinerary to drop by and admire the gorgeous blooms.
Da Lat Flower Park can be house to a number of greenhouses, a bonsai backyard, and a big lake, it’s straightforward to get misplaced among the many sprawling 7,000m² grounds!
The park additionally has many romantic photo spots including to Da Lat’s dreamy appeal.
Entrance price: 70,000₫ (~S$4.15/pax)
Opening hours: 7AM – 6PM
Deal with: 02 Đ. Trần Nhân Tông, Phường 8, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam
Learn additionally: Final Southern Vietnam Information — 13 Finest Issues to do in Ho Chi Minh, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, and Mui Ne
Espresso Break at Cabin within the Woods
A Da Lat native advisable this hidden gem, so we needed to drop in for a caffeine repair.
Situated down a slender dust highway, we had been shocked to discover a charming cafe tucked behind a nook. We advocate sitting on the deck at Cabin within the Woods because the view is totally beautiful, actually taking ‘al-fresco’ eating to the following stage.
We tried The Cabin Espresso (65,000₫) and Tra Vai Hoa Nhai (60,000₫) which is an Iced Lychee Tea, recharging us after a protracted day of sightseeing.
Whereas admiring the view, we had been joined by a number of furry mates 🐕 — who gave us puppy-dog eyes whereas eyeing our meals. Hearts had been weakened and some items of sizzling canines had been gladly sacrificed.
Because the meals menu is proscribed, this cafe would higher go well with these in search of a lightweight chunk earlier than heading off to their subsequent location. Nonetheless, it’s suntil a fantastic place for a mid-day caffeine refuel!
Value: From 50,000₫ (~S$2.95)
Opening hours: 7AM – 8PM
Deal with: 2 Đường Phù Đổng Thiên Vương, Phường 8, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam
*Professional-tip: Renting a scooter or taking a Seize bike will make it extra handy to succeed in the cafe because the highway is extraordinarily slender.
Linh Phuoc Pagoda
One of the crucial lovely and artistically crafted temples we encountered in Da Lat is the Linh Phuoc Pagoda. The grounds are break up into totally different sections, devoted to the Buddha and the Goddess of Mercy.
Fully coated in glass, ceramic, and porcelain items, this Buddhist temple’s vibrant type may also remind you of Gaudi’s mosaics in Barcelona.
Also referred to as the Dragon Pagoda, the grounds is house to a 49m-long dragon sculpture that’s coated in recycled beer bottles from Hoi An!
There’s additionally a whole basement devoted to the 18 Ranges of Hell, just like Singapore’s Haw Par Villa, however an underground model with out the Tiger Balm branding 🤪
Entrance price: Free
Opening hours: 7AM – 5PM
Deal with: Trai Mat, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lam Dong, Vietnam
Sundown at Cafe Túi Mơ To
Cafe Tui Mo To is a crowd’s favorite and overlooks Da Lat metropolis. Solely a 10-minute drive away from Linh Phuoc Pagoda, the compound is adorned with fairy lights and daisy bushes. The laid-back ambiance of the cafe made it a calming solution to finish a protracted day of sightseeing.
The cafe has a wide range of artisanal drinks and desserts to select from 45,000₫. We tried the new cacao (60,000₫) and the iced tra vai cam dau, a candy lychee tea (65,000₫), which was refreshing after a protracted day exploring Da Lat.
There are a number of seating choices, with every room having a special vibe. The indoor greenhouse room holds a sure tranquillity, a lot in order that we noticed a sleeping buyer!
Value: From 45,000₫ (~S$2.65)
Opening hours: 7:45AM – 9:45PM (Mon – Sat), 7:45AM – 10PM (Solar)
Deal with: hẻm 31 Sào Nam, Phường 11, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 66118, Vietnam
*Professional-tip: Arrive earlier than 4:30PM to snag the higher seats because it will get crowded throughout sundown.
Day 3: Da Lat’s Tranquil Nature
Kayaking Tour at Tuyền Lâm Lake
At the present time begins at 5AM as a result of we’ll be catching the dawn at Tuyền Lâm Lake on a kayak! We determined to go for the earliest slot, which made us the primary ones on the lake — even earlier than the fishing boats!
The early morning shocked us with nonetheless waters that mirrored the whole sky and we barely broke a sweat whereas paddling the boat. Our eyes had been blessed with misty mountains and we had been dazzled by how quiet and peaceable the lake was. We spent an hour exploring the lake on our personal earlier than our information led us to the following cease.
*Professional-tip: Pack a water-proof windbreaker to remain heat all through the tour because it will get fairly chilly within the morning.
We took a mid-way pit cease at Lux Camp Da Lat, the place we loved immediate noodles and a steaming cup of conventional Vietnamese espresso. Regardless of feeling freezing chilly within the forest (my bottoms had been soaked), it felt like we had been the one folks to exist on this nook of the universe — a core reminiscence for positive!
Value: ~S$22.50/pax for 3hr Kayak Tour
Tour timings: 5AM, 8AM, 2:30PM
Assembly level: Hoa Cam Tu Cau, Ward 3, Da Lat, Vietnam
*Word: A round-trip switch might be organized with straight the operator for S$50.
Pongour Waterfall
Photograph credit score: @indrawuphoto by way of Instagram
Pongour Waterfalls has earned the title of being one of the crucial lovely sights in Southern Vietnam and it’s not exhausting to see why.
Generally known as the Seven Cascading Waterfalls, Pongour is product of seven-tiered rock terraces that trigger the flowing water to have a silky-like phantasm. Situated 1.5 hours exterior Da Lat metropolis centre, we recommend hiring a non-public constitution or renting a scooter to chase these magnificent waterfalls.
Entrance price: 20,000₫ (~S$1.15/pax)
Opening hours: 8AM – 6PM
Deal with: Đức Trọng District, Lam Dong, Vietnam
*Professional-tip: The climate can get fairly heat within the afternoon so take a dip and swim under one of many smaller falls!
Espresso at CỘI kissa
Stepping foot into CỘI kissa, we had been immediately transported into the roaring twenties. The jazz-themed cafe has classic furnishings and a turntable enjoying music within the nook, creating a comfortable but nostalgic ambiance.
And naturally, we couldn’t depart Da Lat with out making an attempt Vietnamese egg espresso (65,000₫). Whereas initially a Northern Vietnam delicacy, it’s additionally standard amongst locals within the South for its clean and creamy texture.
The cafe additionally serves fusion dishes like tomyum pasta (190,000₫) and mini beef tacos (240,000₫), making it a stylish lunch spot on the town.
Bonus: CỘI kissa additionally shares the constructing with a speakeasy, a barber store, and a tattoo parlour so for those who’re in search of a haircut or to get a tattoo, that is the place to go.
Value: From 40,000₫ (~S$2.36)
Opening hours: 8AM – 10:30PM
Deal with: 69 Đường Trương Công Định, Phường 1, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 670000, Vietnam
Getting round Da Lat
Public transport isn’t very accessible in Da Lat so listed here are some options to make sure your itinerary runs easily.
Seize: This feature is probably the most handy and inexpensive possibility. A median journey of 10 minutes prices round 25,000₫ (~S$1.50)
Automotive constitution: Seize isn’t as available exterior town centre. Thus, we employed a non-public automobile for the day to take us to areas out of town. We opted for the 8-hour service however an extra surcharge is obtainable for 100,000₫/hour.
Scooter leases: accessible at ~S$7/day and is helpful for weaving by means of the slender alleys.
The three days spent exploring Da Lat felt nothing in need of a fairytale journey and we’ve barely scratched the floor. Da Lat actually is an underrated metropolis with hidden gems ready to be unearthed.
A private favorite was the dawn kayak at Lake Tuyen Lam. As somebody who solely wakes up after the solar is excessive up within the sky, I didn’t count on to really feel so recharged by the breathtaking view.🤩 Da Lat additionally unearthed my love of quirky issues. From rooster hats to fishes with glowing purple eyes, I totally embraced Da Lat for all its eccentricity.
In spite of everything, it’s a part of its appeal, isn’t it?
Planning your Vietnam itinerary? Take a look at these guides and itineraries from different elements of Vietnam:
– 7-Day Southern Vietnam Itinerary Below S$900 — Finest Issues to Do in Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh, Mui Ne, and Da Lat
– Phu Quoc Itinerary
– HCMC guides
– Southern Vietnam Meals Information
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