Da Lat Vietnam - what to see and do in 2 or 3 days?

This former climatic spa of the colonial era perched at an altitude of 1600 metres has retained a certain charm with its old colonial houses and its old-fashioned provincial town atmosphere. Located on the Lang Biang Plateau in the Central Highlands region, the "city of eternal spring" has a pleasant climate and an exceptional natural surrounding with green mountains, pine forests, majestic lakes, meadows, flowering valleys and a lot of spectacular waterfalls. Here is an adventure of 2 or 3 days that will seduce as much the lovers of nature as well as of culture.

Visit Da Lat in 2 days

Wherever you have bee in Vietnam, you will immediately appreciate the pleasant climate of Da Lat. It is no surprise that under the leadership of Governor General of Indochina Paul Doumer, the Da Lat health resort was created in the early 20th century. Just like the French colonists, you will appreciate the freshness and the enchanting natural setting. Start your trip in Da Lat by exploring on foot, bike or by car, its exceptional colonial architectural heritage. Da Lat is one of the cities of Vietnam that has preserved most of its colonial heritage. While strolling through the city, you can admire old colonial villas that take the architectural styles of Normandy or the Basque Country in particular. The Da Lat station, a miniature replica of the Deauville station, is a perfect example. Other colonial architectural treasures are to be discovered such as the Pasteur Institute, the school Couvent des Oiseaux, the former French Yersin High School, the cathedral or the villa of Emperor Bao Dai.

In the late afternoon, it is pleasant to walk along the lake downtown where the people of Da Lat like to come to relax after their hard day's work. Take the opportunity to drink a cup of coffee or tea in the region that is the largest producer of both coffee and tea in all of Vietnam.

For your second day in Da Lat, start by going to the central market of Da Lat, where the heart of the city beats. A lively and colourful market with many fruits, vegetables (strawberries, durian, dragon fruit, all kinds of herbs, avocados, zucchini, artichokes, eggplant...) and flowers that cover the stalls. Da Lat is considered Vietnam's vegetable garden and flower garden. To find out why, you can discover the surroundings of Da Lat and visit the vast vegetable and floriculture areas. Then, we invite you to discover the "valley of love", a delightfully kitsch place at the foot of green fir hills where flowers and lake create a landscape full of poetry that young lovers particularly appreciate.

The Da Lat region is also known for its spectacular waterfalls, there are in total 6. The largest is unquestionably that of Pongour. Located about 40 kilometres from Da Lat, this natural site of rare beauty consists of waterfalls spread over 7 floors. A striking sight especially after the rainy season when the falls are full of water and the surrounding nature is a resplendent green.

Athletes will enjoy this second day to explore the Da Lat countryside on foot or by bike, enjoying fresh pine forests and valleys scented with flowers. Those who love the feeling of high adrenaline can go down the river rafting, chills guaranteed!

Visit Da Lat in 3 days

This third day will be devoted to the discovery of the villages of ethnic minorities that populate the region, including K'ho, Ma and Churu. Going to these villages will allow you to know more about their complex cultures. It will also be an opportunity to visit the coffee, tea and rubber plantations along the way. Coffee was introduced to the region by French colonists in the late 19th century. Today, Vietnam is the second largest producer of Robusta coffee in the world. Along the way you can also visit the Linh Phuoc Pagoda, an unusual and exuberant place of worship, and Truc Lam Monastery, whose architecture is reminiscent of Zen temples in Japan. Finish off your day at Lake Tuyen Lam located 1.000 metres above sea level in a valley surrounded by green forests. It’s a place so romantic and full of poetry that we never tire of admiring it.

In the evening, let’s return to the Da Lat Central Market. There are numerous food stalls where you can nibble some small local delicacies to entertain your taste buds before dinner. And for this last evening why not go feasting in the magnificent dining room of the Da Lat Palace Heritage Hotel? Opened in 1922 under the name of Lang Bian Palace Hotel, this art deco-style hotel is a privileged witness to the contemporary history of Da Lat and Vietnam. The chef knows how to sublimate Da Lat's vegetables and you will not regret it!

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