14 Best Things to do in Da Lat, Vietnam

Dalat, commonly referred to as the “City of thousand flowers,” is the most stunning and alluring city in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. This city is the most appropriate destination for backpacking or relaxing holidays, providing healing energy to everyone. It is located 1,500m above sea level; therefore, the weather is cool and pleasant. If you ever have the chance to visit this lovely city, there are some fantastic locations and exciting things to do.

Top Things to do in Dalat City

Hunting clouds

Hunting clouds in Da lat Vietnam
A cloud hunting spot in Dalat

Dalat is also known as City in the Fog, with chilly weather all year round and dense fog. The hills here are almost always blanketed in fog, giving the city the appearance of being in the clouds.

Since there aren’t many sites where you can observe such a romantic and fantastical scene, cloud hunting is often a favorite pastime of young people that visit this location. There is no finer feeling than watching the sun gently rise while it is freezing outside as the clouds circle the hills in the morning.

You can come here to hunt at clouds at any time of year, but the months of June to August, or early winter, are the most gloomy and foggy. You will have to get up quite early to seek clouds. The perfect time to look for clouds will be between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Please make sure that the commute to the cloud-hunting location is reasonable.

Most beautiful cloud hunting places:

  • Cau Dat Tea Hill: Highway 20, Xuan Truong Commune, Dalat city, Lam Dong province
  • Da Phu Hill: Ward 7, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province
  • Thien Phuc Duc Hill: Ward 7, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province
  • Hon Bo Peak: Ward 12, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province
  • Dalat Cloud Hill Tourist Attraction: Tuy Son village, Xuan Tho, Dalat city, Lam Dong province

Visit Dalat Night Market

Da lat Center Market
Dalat Center Market

You must visit Dalat night market if you want to learn the genuine rhythm of the city as well as the lifestyles of the people that live here. This market is also known as the Am Phu market, which means Hades Market, because it is open all night, from 6:00 p.m. to dawn. It is quite convenient to come here because it is located in the city center.

You can browse the stalls and enjoy specialties like grilled rice paper, hot soy milk, sweet potatoes, maize, and baked eggs. Fruit jams can make an excellent gift for a relative. One pastime in particular that people are excited to try is second-hand hunting. Spend some time looking, and you will find some extremely unique items.

  • Address: 6b Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 1, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province

Engage in Datanla waterfall activities

Pongour Waterfall in Dalat
Pongour Waterfall in Dalat

About 5 kilometers south of Dalat’s downtown, in the middle of Prenn Pass, you’ll find this waterfall. The water flow is particularly smooth and transparent because it is positioned upstream at an altitude of more than 20 meters. Datanla waterfall area has been designed as a Datanla waterfall tourist attraction because of the rough terrain and natural surroundings. It also integrates various services with adventure, entertainment, and leisure activities. This location is not to be missed if you enjoy adventure games.

Activities in Datanla Waterfall

Datanla waterfall Canyoning - Viator
Datanla waterfall Canyoning
(Source: Viator)
Canyoning

Descending a 25 m-long waterfall will put you to the test. The free jump, an 11 m-high wireless jump from above, and ziplining the fast-flowing waterfall are great activities at Dalanta waterfall. You will be equipped with adequate protective gear and provided sufficient guidelines before taking on this challenge, so don’t worry.

Tips: The majesty of this waterfall changes with the seasons; sometimes, it rushes forcefully, and other times it is calm and soothing. However, the best time to visit will be during the dry season, which lasts from November to April. Because the weather is sunny at this time, it will be easy to move around and participate in activities.

  • Address: Highway 20, Prenn Pass, Ward 3, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province
  • Entrance ticket: Adults: 1.2 USD per person, Children: 0.4 USD per person
  • Opening hours: 7 am to 5 pm daily
Walking through the forest

This tourism area is only a little over a kilometer long, and because the stairway system slopes gradually, the trek is also extremely easy. You can stroll around and take in the scenery while listening to the birds sing and the murmuring of the nearby streams.

Take the scenic cable car

You can travel to the waterfall by cable car if you are afraid of heights, challenging activities, or traveling with young children. All the valleys at the base of Pren Pass are accessible by the 2 km-long cable car system. Enjoy the entire panorama of the mountain, including the Dalanta waterfall, the pine-covered hills, and the charming buildings.

Alpine Coaster

This fascinating coaster is a favorite pick of most visitors to Datanla waterfall. It offers Southeast Asia’s longest Alpine Coaster slide system, with a modern design and adjustable sliding speed. So you can entirely choose a modest speed to slowly appreciate the magnificent surroundings here, or you can race at high speed, leaning in tight corners for a full-on exciting ride. The ticket for adults is 8.8 USD and 4 USD for children. 

Visit Tuyen Lam Lake

Tuyen Lam Lake
Tuyen Lam Lake

Tuyen Lam Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Dalat, contributing to the city’s green lung. The lake is beautiful and quiet, surrounded by lush pine forests, making for a peaceful and romantic setting. To appreciate this location’s splendor, consider cruising around the lake in a kayak or canoe.

Around the lake are a pine forest and plenty of open lawns, ideal for camping or recreational activities. Furthermore, on the route here, you can stop by various gorgeous spots nearby, such as the maple leaf forest, strawberry garden, and infinity lake.

  • Address: Ward 4, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province
  • Free ticket

Van Thanh Flower Village

Dalat is known as the “City of Thousand Flowers,” so it would be negligent to miss Van Thanh Flower Village when visiting this location. This is a historic flower town with a long history, and it is responsible for the Dalat flower’s reputation. This is one of Vietnam’s three largest flower villages, covering an area of more than 200 hectares and serving as the primary source of flowers for annual festivities.

This location can grow a wide variety of flowers due to its mild and pleasant climate. Many people compare it to the tiny Netherlands since it only has flowers from Europe, such as tulips and lavender.

  • Address: 43 Van Thanh Street, Ward 5, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province.
  • Entrance ticket: 4 USD for adults, 2 USD for children
  • Opening hours: 7 am to 5 pm daily

Dalat Fairytale Land

A colouful corner at Da Lat Fairytale Land
Dalat Fairytale Land (source: @dalat_fairytale_land)

This is a great place to go if you’re taking a baby along. The hobbit dwarves fairy village in New Zealand served as the inspiration for this resort. The area resembles a wonderland because of the small, charming residences encircled by vibrant flower gardens. Every house has a separate tale printed in front of it for people to read and learn.

Adults will undoubtedly like this location as much as children. People can stop by the water kiosk after touring the fairy village and receive a free sample of cordyceps. You will undoubtedly want to explore the wines in the prestigious Vinh Tien wine cellar, which has more than 15,000 varieties.

  • Address: No. 81D Hoang Van Thu, Ward 5, City. Dalat
  • Ticket: 3.5 USD per person 
  • Opening hours: 7 am to 5 pm daily

Lam Vien Square

Giant Artichoke flower bud and wild Sunflower at Lam Vien Sqare
Lam Vien Square

This square has an area of up to 70 thousand m2, with the front-facing Xuan Huong Lake, so you can combine visits to these two attractions. This is a stunning highlight for Dalat city, with many unique architectural works and enormous cool space. This is also a popular location for local events and significant city events.

Artichoke flower buds and enormous wild sunflowers are two of the most unusual sculptures on display. In the first sculpture, the steel frame is twisted into the shape of an artichoke flower bud and reaches a height of more than 15 meters. The outer layer comprises yellow and blue glass panels that resemble tiny petals. Inside the flower buds, in particular, are lyrical cafes where you may have a cup of coffee while admiring the surroundings.

Then there’s the giant yellow wild sunflower, which may grow about 20 meters tall and cover an area of up to 1,200 m2. Inside is a 1,500-seat performing arts venue with a modern design. This location is also a popular check-in spot.

  • Address: Tran Quoc Toan Street, Ward 1, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province

Trek Up Langbiang Mountain

 Lang Biang mt in Da Lat
By official Facebook

Langbiang Mountain is the tallest peak in Da Lat, and the trek up is totally worth it for those epic views at the top. It’s about an 18 km round-trip, with the trail taking you to 2,167 meters above sea level. It’s not super challenging, so even if you’re new to trekking, you’ll probably be fine. Most people take about 2-3 hours to get to the top and about 1-2 hours to come back down. Starting early is a good idea so you can chill at the summit for a bit and take it all in.

For something extra, consider camping at the top! Watching the sunrise over a blanket of clouds is an unforgettable experience—but it can get pretty cold at night, so bring lots of layers!

Da Lat Sculpture Tunnel

Da Lat Sculpture Tunnel
By Facebook of Đường hầm điêu khắc Đà Lạt
  • Address: Phường 4, Tp. Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 66000
  • Open hours: 7:00 – 17:00 daily
  • Contact: 0338 985 899
  • Website: https://dalattourist.com.vn/ 

If you’re into art or history (or both!)The Da Lat Sculpture Tunnel is a must-see. Known as the “Time Tunnel” of Da Lat, the Da Lat Sculpture Tunnel is a massive underground attraction, depicting the history and development of Da Lat through intricate clay sculptures. Stretching 1.2 km in length and up to 10 meters wide, it is the longest clay tunnel in the world. Each scene captures a piece of Da Lat’s history, making it both an artistic and educational experience for visitors.

Cu Lan Village

Da Lat Cu Lan Village
By official Facebook
  • Address: ĐT722, Lát, Lạc Dương, Lâm Đồng
  • Contact: 0985 199 992

Cu Lan Village is a super cute, traditional K’Ho ethnic village surrounded by forest and hills. One of the best ways to explore is by hopping on an off-road jeep tour that takes you through the forest, over hills, and across streams for a little adventure.

If jeeps aren’t your thing, you can still enjoy trekking, archery, and even some old-school folk games. There’s a lot to explore here!

ZooDoo Da Lat

ZooDoo Da Lat
By official website
  • Address: QL27C, Xã Đạ Nhim, Lạc Dương, Lâm Đồng
  • Open hours: 8:00 – 16:00 daily
  • Contact: 0979 110 007
  • Website: https://www.zoodoodalat.com/ 

ZooDoo is a small Australian-style zoo that’s totally worth a visit if you love animals. Set on the outskirts of Da Lat, it’s peaceful and has a cozy little café, so you can relax while you’re there. 

The zoo staff help you get up close to friendly animals—think petting, holding, and feeding them! Perfect for families and animal lovers. There’s plenty of open space here too, so it’s ideal for a chill day out with options for hiking or even camping nearby.

Da Lat Railway Station

Da Lat station
By unsplash.com
  • Address: Quang Trung, Phường 9, Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng

Da Lat Railway Station is a real gem for history buffs. It’s Vietnam’s oldest station and one of only two cog railway routes worldwide! Just 3 km from the city center, it’s got this unique architecture inspired by both French and local Vietnamese styles. The three arched roofs actually represent Langbiang Mountain, giving it a unique look and vibe that feels super vintage and charming. Almost everyone who visits Da Lat swings by to snap some pics.

Bình Minh Ơi Café

Bình Minh Ơi Café
By official Facebook
  • Address: 89 Hoàng Hoa Thám, Phường 10, Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng
  • Open hours: 4:30 – 22:00 daily
  • Contact: 0925 903 634

For a chill spot with insane views, Bình Minh Ơi Café is a local favorite. It’s perched on a hill, so you can catch the sunrise and enjoy some dreamy morning fog. The café is open bright and early for those sunrises, but sunset here is stunning too.

The place has both indoor and outdoor seating, but you’ll definitely want to grab a spot outside if the weather’s good. On select evenings, they even have live acoustic music sessions—perfect for relaxing with a cup of coffee as the sun goes down.

Túi Mơ To Café

Túi Mơ To Café
By official Facebook
  • Address: Hẻm 31 Sào Nam, Phường 11, Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 66100
  • Open hours: 7:30 – 21:30 daily
  • Contact: 0367 959 687

Túi Mơ To Café is one of those spots you’ll want to snap pics of all day! It’s mostly outdoor seating, so you’ve got gorgeous views of Da Lat’s valleys and hills right from your table. It’s set within Reply 1994 Homestay, which has a cool, old-school vibe and some lovely daisy gardens.

The view from the terrace stretches out to Langbiang Mountain, and you can see little greenhouses dotting the nearby hills. It’s super peaceful and perfect for kicking back with a coffee and soaking up the Da Lat charm.

The following are some of the fascinating places and activities in Dalat. Jot down some spots and prepare for a pleasant trip to the “City of Thousand Flowers.”

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