Dalat

The city of eternal spring.

3.5

out of 5

Dalat is Vietnam’s “City of Eternal Spring”, a moniker well-earned for the perpetually mild temperatures and stunning mountain scenery. The former French colonial town is a popular destination for Vietnamese and international tourists alike, and it’s not hard to see why. From the lakes and parks that dot the city to the towering peaks that surround it, Dalat is one of the most picturesque places in Southeast Asia. The town is also home to a thriving arts and culture scene, with a number of galleries and performance venues. While Dalat is a great place to spend a few days, the surrounding countryside is even more spectacular, and is well worth exploring.

Average temperatures during the day in Dalat.

April

29°

May

28°

Jun

27°

Jul

27°

Aug

27°

Sep

27°

Oct

27°

Nov

26°

Dec

24°

Jan

24°

Feb

27°

Mar

29°

Average temperatures during the day in Dalat.

What people say about Dalat

3.5

People

Food

Spaces

Value

Safety

Anders

Dalat is a little bit hard for me to review. Being from Sweden with lots of forest, fresh air, and nice nature all over, I tend to underrate their value in other places. But when I lived in Ho Chi Minh City for many years Dalat felt like an amazing getaway in Southeast Asia to be able to get to a little higher altitude, breathe fresh air outside the megacities, and just enjoy the food made from locally produced ingredients.

Dalat does have its own charm too, the people are very friendly, there are some nice waterfalls in the surroundings, food and especially salads are very fresh and nice, and it is a special feeling to get a chilly evening and sip on a hot chocolate in a sidewalk café in the middle of a small Vietnamese town. Dalat is also considered to be a romantic place in Vietnam, so there are some slightly cheesy things like swan boats at the lake as well.

I recommend having low expectations for excitement and simply enjoying the peaceful life, fresh air, and fresh food. Dishes to try include some kind of beef salad with egg (many restaurants have something like it), Bánh Căn (small savoury rice pancakes, normally with shrimp or meat), and Nem Nướng (grilled Vietnamese pork sausages, normally with rice noodles and crispy rice paper).