Dalat

The city of eternal spring.

Calm mountain town with year-round mild climate. Former French colonial retreat known for lakes, parks, and surrounding peaks. Active arts scene with galleries and venues.

4.1
out of 5

Dalat, a city in Vietnam's Central Highlands, sits at 1,500 meters elevation, maintaining spring-like temperatures year-round. Pine forests and flower farms surround this former French hill station. In Dalat, you'll find colonial-era buildings like the art deco railway station, hike to Elephant Falls where you can walk behind the water curtain, and taste local specialties such as banh can rice cakes topped with quail egg.

Climate and Agriculture

Dalat's elevation keeps temperatures mild, rarely exceeding 25°C. The cool weather and rich soil create ideal conditions for growing flowers, vegetables, and coffee that supply much of Vietnam. Pine forests encircle the city, creating a landscape distinct from lowland regions.

Exploring the City

As you walk around Dalat's center and Xuan Huong Lake, you'll see many French-style villas and buildings from the early 1900s. The Dalat Railway Station, built in 1938, maintains its original cream-colored art deco design. At Bao Dai's Summer Palace, you can tour the residence of Vietnam's last emperor.

Waterfall Adventures

Several waterfalls are a short trip from Dalat. At Datanla Falls, 5 km from the city, ride an alpine coaster to the base. About 30 km away, Elephant Falls allows you to walk behind its water curtain. For more adventure, try canyoning - rappelling down waterfalls and jumping into pools below.

Flower Fields

Dalat grows most of Vietnam's flowers. Visit the Dalat Flower Gardens to see hundreds of varieties. From November to January, you can photograph vast fields of sunflowers near Tuyen Lam Lake. In late November, the pink grass fields of Ta Nung become a popular spot for photos.

Local Cuisine

Dalat's cool climate influences its food. Try banh can, crispy rice cakes cooked in clay pots and topped with quail egg and green onion. Banh trang nuong, sometimes called "Vietnamese pizza," consists of grilled rice paper with toppings like egg, dried pork, and green onion. Many locals drink artichoke tea, grown in the area and believed to have health benefits.

Accommodation

You'll find a range of places to stay in Dalat, from hostels to high-end resorts. For an unusual experience, book a room at the Crazy House, with its winding corridors and animal-themed rooms. Ana Mandara Villas provides upscale lodging in restored 1920s and 1930s buildings. If you're on a budget, hostels like Cozy Nook have dorm beds starting around 150,000 VND.

Transportation

Lien Khuong Airport, 30 km south of Dalat, connects to major Vietnamese cities. Buses run between Dalat and cities like Ho Chi Minh City (8 hours) and Nha Trang (4 hours). In Dalat, you can easily find taxis. Renting a motorbike gives you flexibility to explore, but be careful on the winding mountain roads.

Average temperatures during the day in Dalat.
December
24°
Jan
24°
Feb
27°
Mar
29°
Apr
29°
May
28°
Jun
27°
Jul
27°
Aug
27°
Sep
27°
Oct
27°
Nov
26°

What people say about Dalat

4.1
People
4
Food
4
Spaces
3
Value
4
Safety
4

Best places to visit in🇻🇳Vietnam

A map of your visited countries

Share where you have been with your own interactive map of the world.

Your travel bucket list

Keep track of where you want to go with an interactive travel bucket list.

Articles about Vietnam

Image of Where to go in Vietnam? See what a local recommends!
Image of Where to go in Vietnam? See what a local recommends!

Where to go in Vietnam? See what a local recommends!

August 2023,
My name is Uyên and I was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I love to travel in my own country as well as around the world. When meeting people in other countries, I often get asked questi
Image of Top places for first-time visitors to Southeast Asia
Image of Top places for first-time visitors to Southeast Asia

Top places for first-time visitors to Southeast Asia

March 2023,
Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia consisting of 11 countries. The countries that are commonly considered to be part of Southeast Asia are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Phil
Image of Top places for traveling on a budget in Asia
Image of Top places for traveling on a budget in Asia

Top places for traveling on a budget in Asia

August 2023,
Asia is often considered a budget-friendly travel destination due to its lower cost of living compared to Western countries. The affordability, diverse cultures, and unique experiences make it an attr
Image of The 30 best food cities in the world
Image of The 30 best food cities in the world

The 30 best food cities in the world

November 2024,
This is a list of the top food destinations in the world based on the opinions of travelers from more than 100 countries. If you travel to eat, this is for you! It doesn’t matter if you are a foodie o
Popular on Humbo right now
Humbo™AboutVisitedBucket listSustainable travelPrivacyTerms