Cool weather all year, a peaceful lifestyle, lovely and kind people, and gorgeous nature are just a few of the reasons why Da Lat attracts millions of tourists each year. If you’re reading this, we’re guessing you’re planning a trip to this lovely central highland city. You made the correct decision! Let us now provide you with some useful Da Lat information! Keep scrolling to see more!
Table of Contents
- Where is Da Lat?
- How to travel to Da Lat?
- When is the best time to travel to Da Lat?
- What is Da Lat tourist attractions?
- What to eat and drink in Da Lat?
- How to move around Da Lat?
- How is Da Lat’s hospitality?
- How long should I stay in Da Lat?
- ATM and Money Exchange in Da Lat
- Local Emergency Contact for Tourists in Da Lat
- Useful tips when you travel to Da Lat
Where is Da Lat?
Da Lat is the capital of Lam Dong province and is located at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level on the Lam Vien plateau. This city is around 300 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, 1,485 kilometers from Hanoi, 654 kilometers from Danang and has a pleasant environment all year, is a Vietnam tourism attractive destination for travelers looking to escape the heat of the Southern region.
How to travel to Da Lat?
If you are traveling from the North or North Central regions, taking a flight directly to Da Lat is the most convenient option for saving time. Other wise, if you are traveling from the South and South Central regions, you can use a car or a passenger bus instead of flying. And if you’re feeling daring, have good driving skills, and are familiar with Vietnam’s traffic, a motorbike is a terrific way to travel.
Travel to Da Lat by plane
All of the airlines line Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Pacific Airlines or Bamboo Airways has flight to Da Lat every day
- Hanoi – Da Lat from 900,000 VND/one way trip.
- Da Nang – Da Lat from 1,000,000 VND/one way trip.
- Ho Chi Minh City – Da Lat from 500,000 VND/one way trip.
- Can Tho – Da Lat from 1,000,000 million VND/one way trip.
*Ticket prices are subject to change and may include extra costs. For up-to-date information, please visit the airline’s website.
When you arrive at Lien Khuong Airport, you have three options for getting to the Da Lat city center:
- Airport Bus: depart every 45 minutes, 40,000 VND/trip/pax
- Services car: There are some automobile services that will take you from the airport to the city for roughly 150,000 VND to 200,000 VND/trip/pax, and you will have to share the car (usually a sedan) with others.
- Taxi: Taxis from the airport to the city center cost between 250,000 and 290,000 VND per way. Despite their high cost, taxis are preferred by many individuals who look to their convenience and speed.
Travel to Da Lat by sleeper bus
The most cost-effective mode of transportation from Ho Chi Minh City is a night sleeper bus that arrives in Da Lat early in the morning. A sleeper bus ticket for one person starts at 270,000 VND/way. There are numerous bus companies that service the Ho Chi Minh City – Da Lat route, below are 2 of the big companies that I used a lot of time:
- Phuong Trang Bus Lines
- Thanh Buoi Bus Lines: Address in HCMC: 266-268 Le Hong Phong, Ward 4, District 5
Travel to Da Lat by Private Car for group of 3 or 5
If you are traveling to Da Lat with family or a group of friends, try reserving a Private Car from Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Cam Ranh, or Mui Ne. The cost is pricier than other options, but you get the entire high-quality, private time with your group.
Furthermore, you do not need to go to the Bus office to purchase a ticket; the driver will pick you up at your preferred pick-up location.
You can easily get a private car service in Ho Chi Minh City, but it will be more difficult in other provinces. The quality of each service may vary, and you must spend some time researching for a reputable one.
To save time, we recommend hiring a private car ahead of time through Klook, as they handle everything for you. Many clients already rate Klook’s services as excellent.
Travel to Da Lat by motorbike
Traveling through Vietnam on a motorcycle is always an exciting experience, and the chance to cross the mountain passes to Da Lat only adds to the excitement.
Although traveling by motorcycle is more dangerous, you may start and stop whenever and wherever you want, rest when you’re tired, eat when you’re hungry, and enjoy the gorgeous scenery along the road in a unique way. We only recommend this if you have excellent driving skills.
Some tips for riding a motorcycle to Da Lat:
- Before you go, inspect the bike to ensure that the battery, spark plugs, and lights are in good condition.
- Ensure that the bike has two rear mirrors.
- Before you hit the road, make sure you have a helmet on.
- Bring your vehicle’s documentation and a toolbox for repairs.
- Fill up the gas tank before you leave to avoid running out of gas halfway.
- Google Maps routes are reliable; just make sure you select the Motorbike mode.
When is the best time to travel to Da Lat?
Love flowers?
If so, you should go between January and April. This time of year, Da Lat is completely covered with brilliant flowers. Anywhere is a great spot to take photos: the roads, the walls, the fences, the houses… Flowers and flowers formed an excellent backdrop. When you visit Da Lat this time, you will realize why it is known as “The City of Thousands Flowers” on the Vietnam tourism map.
From May to September, Da Lat tourism is at its peak, with millions of Southern citizens coming here to escape the summer heat. There will be some rain this time, so bring an umbrella or raincoat with you. We recommend that you avoid this period to dodge the hectic scene and overcrowding of services.
If you visit Da Lat between October and December, the weather is cold and dry, and wild sunflowers bloom everywhere, turning Dat Lat into a yellow canvas. This time, you can also visit the pink grass hill or witness the clouds cover the entire mountain range.
Overall, the best time to visit Da Lat is between November and March. This time of year, the area is less crowded with tourists, the weather is pleasant, and the flowers are in bloom.
What is Da Lat tourist attractions?
Da Lat has numerous tourist attractions to suit all tastes. Aside from the natural features, you can also explore historic, architectural, and religious sites.
The city itself
For many Da Lat lovers, the city itself is a never-ending tourist destination to explore. Every time you visit this city, you will feel the same spirit but see things in a completely different way. The slope brick lanes, the weather, the people, the pine forests, the early foggy air, the scents of hot coffee… it all adds up to a very special Da Lat that everyone will fall in love with.
You may not know it, but Da Lat is a romantic symbol to our Vietnamese, where many writers and artists go to contemplate on life, love, and the inner self. You will see it quite clearly once you have a chance to visit this land.
Natural touristic attractions
Da Lat offers various natural attractions to visit in a day or two, including Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, Tuyen Lam Lake, Datanla Waterfall, Prenn, Elephant, Pongour, and Suoi Vang Lake.
Da Phu hill, Thien Phuc Duc hill, Troc hill, Cau Dat tea hill, Hon Bo peak… are the best places to seek clouds, watch sunsets, and spend the night camping in the highlands.
Visitors with youngsters interested in learning about animals can go to Zoodoo Zoo, Dog Farm, Chika Farm…
Furthermore, the city’s flower garden, Trai Mat’s hydrangea garden, Tuyen Lam Lake’s lavender garden, Van Thanh flower village, the strawberry farm, etc. are all must-see attractions in Da Lat.
Historic, architectural, and religious sites
Da Lat was founded in 1893, when French doctor Alexandre Yersin set foot on the Lam Vien plateau for the first time. The French arrived in Da Lat in the mid-1910s and transformed it not only into a tourist paradise but also into a lovely city complete with homes, offices, schools, and hotels…
Many works from that era have become tourist attractions, such as Da Lat Railway Station with the Da Lat – Trai Mat tourist train route, the Central Highlands Biological Institute (the Central Highlands Biological Museum), the Cau Dat Tea Museum, Da Lat Pedagogical College, Da Lat Cathedral, Domaine de Marie Church…
The Palaces I, II, II system of King Bao Dai’s reign, the Palace of the Province Chief, the Villa Tran Le Xuan, the Palace of Nguyen Huu Hao… are other popular locations for history and ancient architectural lovers. Visitors can also go to Hang Nga Villa, Linh Phuoc “bottle rack” pagoda, Linh Quy Phap An pagoda, or Lumiere Light Garden to see more distinctive architecture.
Read more: 37 Da Lat Tourist Attractions Worth Visiting
What to eat and drink in Da Lat?
Wet rice cake with chicken intestines
This is a sour meal since it is served with chicken salad, as opposed to the traditional wet cake eaten with pig bologna (chả lụa). When you eat it, you will notice the aromatic wet cake, chicken, and chicken intestine blended in a sweet and sour fish sauce with a strong herbal flavor.
Banh Mi shumai
This is a must-try morning item. Hot bread is served with round shumai balls (similar to meatballs but different) and a cup of soup with a small bit of fat, green onions, and spicy satay.
Banh Can
This dish is from another region, yet it goes nicely with the weather of Da Lat. The processing is not overly complex. The cake is made of rice flour, but it becomes unique and memorable when it is loaded with different flavors.
Grilled rice paper
This rustic snack is made of rice paper and topped with chicken eggs, cheese, liver pate, dried meat, and mayonnaise. The merchant then grills them over flaming charcoal until the rice paper becomes crispy and smells wonderful. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a dish of delectable grilled rice paper with chili sauce.
Chicken hot pot with lemon basil (Lau Ga La E)
This is an ideal main course for the atmosphere in this highland city. Delicious soft chicken, fragrant mushrooms, crispy bamboo shoots, and the mild flavor of lemon basil leave guests speechless, especially in the chilly weather.
In addition to the above-mentioned typical foods, a stroll around the market or downtown will reveal street snacks such as crab soup, sticky rice, avocado cream, hot soy milk, Bun Bo Hue, grilled BBQ, snail stuffed with meat, grilled spring rolls…
Coffee
When visiting Da Lat, it’s a big mistake not to have a nice cup of coffee in the cold weather. When you can get decent, high-quality coffee in the midst of Highland, it’s like a coffee lover’s utopia. Coffee has long been a prominent cultural element in Da Lat, as seen by the abundance of coffee shops in many styles: rustic, modern, in the forest, Japanese style…
How to move around Da Lat?
You may get around Da Lat by renting motorcycles, cars, taxis, or through ride-hailing apps. Renting a motorcycle starts at 120,000 VND per day. A self-drive car costs 700,000 VND each day. You can ask the hotel personnel for assistance, and they will respond quickly.
How is Da Lat’s hospitality?
You can select from a variety of lodging alternatives in Da Lat. Depending on your budget and interests, you can choose from motels, homestays, hotels, resorts and luxury villas.
If you prefer to shop and eat in the city center, stay near the market. If you want to appreciate the solitude and tranquillity of nature and want to retreat, stay in the suburbs. The price of hotels and resorts will vary depending on the room class, ranging from a few hundred thousand to several million Dong on average.
Resorts and Villas
Da Lat boasts a number of well-known resorts, including the remote Terracotta and SAM Tuyen Lam Resort, both of which are pleasantly located on the bank of Tuyen Lam Lake. Visit Da Lat Wonder, Dalat Cadasa Resort, or Swiss-Belresort if you enjoy hills and pine trees…
These resorts are all rated 4.5 stars or higher and offer a comprehensive range of modern, pleasant, and convenient accommodation options for travelers.
Hotels
Da Lat has a variety of hotels to select from. There are hotels that maintain the architecture from the French era, such as Saigon Da Lat and Du Parc, as well as modern ones, such as Golf Valley. There are many new hotels in the city center, so you will have many options.
Homestays
One of Da Lat’s unique features is the large variety of homestays and hostels built in a wide range of styles. Young people or groups of friends may prefer this. Firefly Garden, Hai A Homestay, Mayli Homestay Da Lat, The One Homestay Da Lat, Da Lat Sun Hills Homestay, Fall in Da Lat Homestay… are only a few examples.
Camping
Luxury camping (glamping) is also a recent trend for travelers visiting Da Lat. This form of travel is appropriate for young people and small families that wish to be near to nature while also having basic conveniences on weekends and holidays. Some must-see attractions include Twin Beans Farm, CampArt #Mother Jen, and Dalat Camp…
How long should I stay in Da Lat?
A typical Da Lat vacation lasts three days and two nights, giving you plenty of time to see this lovely city. If you are fatigued following a long journey, choose a 4 day 3 night or 5 day 4 night tour to offer yourself more time to recuperate and experience Da Lat’s beauty and culture. The budget will range between 3,000,000 and 5,000,000 VND depending on your length of stay, budget, and services booked.
ATM and Money Exchange in Da Lat
ATMs are only available in the city center, near the market, and finding a money exchange business is quite tough. As a result, we recommend that you set aside enough money ahead of time, especially if you stay on the outskirts.
Local Emergency Contact for Tourists in Da Lat
- Police: 113
- Fire & Rescue Department: 114
- Ambulance: 115
- Hotline for tourists: 1900.1067
Useful tips when you travel to Da Lat
- The weather in Da Lat is continuously changing; it can be beautiful in the morning but quickly turn cold in the afternoon. As a result, you should always carry a coat, scarf, and gloves with you.
- The cold weather may lead you to believe that it is not sunny, but this city is in the mountains and close to the Sun, thus UV levels are extremely high. You should have sunscreen on hand whenever you leave the hotel.
- Insects and mosquitos may be present in some areas near pine forests.
- When you hire a car or bike, there will always be less fuel left in the tank; fill up before you leave.
5 Comments