Da Lat Travel Guide 2025: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the City of Eternal Spring

Overview of Da Lat city

Da Lat is the capital city of Lam Dong province, Vietnam Central Highlands, located at an altitude of about 1,500 meters (4,900 ft) above sea level on the Lang Biang Plateau. Dalat city lies approximately 1.412km from Hanoi (1A Highway), Ho Chi Minh City  308km (20 Highway), Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa) 135km (27C Highway - Khanh Vinh pass), Mui Ne (Binh Thuan) 160km (28B Highway). 

Known for its year-round cool climate, pine forests, French colonial architecture, and vibrant flower gardens, Da Lat is often called the “City of Flowers,” “Honeymoon Capital,” or even “Little Paris” of Vietnam.
 

History & French Influence

Dr. Alexandre Yersin, a Swiss-French physician and explorer, was the first European to discover the Da Lat plateau in 1893. By 1912, Da Lat was established as a resort town for the French elite. At one time, nearly 20% of Da Lat’s population was foreign. Today, remnants of the colonial era remain visible in the city’s more than 2,000 French-style villas and buildings, including the old Da Lat Railway Station and the mini Eiffel Tower.

During World War II, Da Lat even served as the capital of the Federation of Indochina.
 

Climate – When to Visit Da Lat?

Da Lat enjoys a temperate mountain climate and is a perfect escape from Vietnam’s tropical heat.
 • Dry Season (Dec to April): Ideal for sightseeing, trekking, and outdoor activities. Great time for flower lovers, especially during the Flower Festival in December.
 • Rainy Season (May to November): The landscape is lush and green. It’s a great time for relaxation and photography.

There is no bad time to visit Da Lat. The city offers something unique in every season: misty mornings in spring, fresh strawberries in summer, golden sunshine in autumn, and flower blossoms in winter.
 

How to Get to Da Lat

 • By Air: Lien Khuong Airport (DLI) is about 30 km from the city center. Direct flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and other cities are available. It has also officially become an international airport. As of 2025, it has officeally become an international airport which operates direct international flights to countries such as South Korea, China, Thailand, Laos and other international destinations.
 • By Bus/Car: Many sleeper buses operate routes to Da Lat from major cities. Travel time from Ho Chi Minh City is approximately 6-7 hours.
 • By Motorbike: For the adventurous, motorbike travel to Da Lat offers scenic mountain passes and countryside views.

Top Attractions in Da Lat

 1. Xuan Huong Lake – The heart of the city, perfect for walking, cycling, or enjoying a lakeside coffee.
 2. Langbiang Mountain – Offers panoramic views and paragliding experiences.
 3. Crazy House – A surreal architecture masterpiece that feels like a mix between Gaudi and fantasy.
 4. Datanla Waterfall – Known for alpine coaster rides and canyoning tours.
5. Truc Lam Zen Monastery – A peaceful spiritual retreat overlooking Tuyen Lam Lake.
 6. Da Lat Railway Station – A charming colonial-era train station with a short vintage train ride to Trai Mat village.
 7. Linh Phuoc Pagoda – A unique pagoda decorated with broken porcelain mosaics.
 8. Elephant Waterfall – A majestic waterfall 30 km from the city center.
 9. Pongour Waterfall – One of the most beautiful multi-level waterfalls in Vietnam.
 10. Fresh Garden & Lumiere Light Garden – Instagrammable attractions with flower fields and modern art installations.

Unique Experiences in Da Lat

 • Visit Strawberry Farms – Pick your own fresh strawberries and learn about local farming.
 • Explore Local Coffee Shops – From romantic hideouts to stylish venues, Da Lat’s café culture is second to none.
 • Walk through the Night Market – Try local dishes, shop for handmade wool products, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
 • Try “Four Seasons in One Day” Weather – Spring mornings, summer noons, autumn afternoons, and winter nights — all in one day!
 • Take a Motorbike Tour with Vietnam Easy Riders – Explore the countryside, hidden waterfalls, ethnic minority villages, and historical sites in a way no car can offer.
 

12 reasons why you should not miss Da Lat as traveling to Vietnam:

1. The Fog City:
In the South only has two seasons wet - dry and temperatures range from 25-37 degrees, but sometimes can be down to 11 degrees. The city is so really cool that people also feel happy, comfortable and peaceful.

2. Flower City:
Where you can stumble across flowers everywhere, all the time, even in a crack of the wall.

3. French villa architecture:
Dalat has over 2000 villas but each was different. Each villa carries a separate beauty. The villas usually have gardens, wide apart and there is a nice sight: Overlooking the pine forest, overlooking a valley or toward Langbian mountain view. Especially the villas in Da Lat no higher than three floors.

4. Local People:
Da Lat people are gentle, friendly and hospitable and willing to help when someone ask for direction.

5. Wandering night market and enjoy the local delicacies ...
Besides, it's also place to go shopping. You can choose yourself a wollen scarf, wollen hat, shirt or cloak with the price of only a few tenths to several hundred thousand VND.

6. Beautiful Nature and Landscapes:
The landscapes of this fog city such as Gold Stream lake, Langbian lake, Tuyen Lam lake ... is not only sublime but also poetic, and romantic. Every corner, every destination in Da Lat makes all visitors wish to record this moment, space or simply mark their track there.

7. Fresh air:
With pine forests, lakes, rivers, streams and cool climate ... Dalat brings about a new sense different from the stuffily crowded atmosphere as other cities.

8. Experience the 4-season-weather in a day:
with the weather in the morning is spring, the summer is at noon, the afternoon is autumn, winter is at night.

9. Take a leisure walk along Xuan Huong Lake
To ramble and relaxedly enjoy the beauty of the lake with a crowded road.

10. Exploring the strawberry garden
Learning about processes in growing vegetables, hand-picking and enjoying fresh strawberries.

11. Drop yourself in coffee and music:
The cafe shops in Dalat are designed in many styles, from budget inns to luxurious, from lively to quiet or romantic ones, all create a magical attraction for tourists.

12. Place for you to live slowlier:
Pleasant space, cool air, gentle locals, lustiness and romance of this land will make you wish to live slowly, live for yourselselves more.

Plan Your Adventure with Vietnam Easy Riders

Vietnam Easy Riders Group (VERG) organizes motorbike tours from Da Lat to many top destinations in Vietnam such as Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Da Nang, and Hue.

Explore the real Vietnam with our experienced guides, scenic routes, and authentic cultural experiences.

Check out to explore our Easy Rider Tours from Da Lat and book your journey now!]