Da Lat City

Le Petis Paris in Springtime

Perched atop a hill at an altitude of around 1500m, the town of Dalat is the perfect respite from the heat and hectic pace of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) which is exactly why the French built a resort here.  The chalets, chateau-style villas and churches that they left behind give the town a distinctly French feel.  With an average temperature of around 20 degrees, Dalat’s eternal state of springtime, combined with its fresh mountainous air, flower gardens, strawberry-sprouting farms and evergreen forests add to its European vibe.

Honeymoons, hill tribes and hillside activities

Dalat’s French-feel has earned it the reputation of being the perfect lovers’ retreat, making it a popular place for honeymoons and romantic getaways for domestic tourists.  Home to hill-tribes for many centuries, Dalat’s population includes around 5,000 hill-tribe members.  The female members of hill-tribes are talented seamstresses and their handicrafts can be purchased at the shops and markets in town.

For those who like to do a bit of active exploration, the lakes, forests, hills and mountains of Dalat and its surrounds are perfect for kayaking, hiking, mountain biking and canyoning.

Delicious Dalat

Dalat’s fresh climate is perfect for growing garden fruit and vegetables that aren’t available in the rest of Vietnam. The selection on offer includes; spinach, yams, beets, green beans, avocadoes, radishes, strawberries, peaches, plums and blackberries.  Dalat is also famous in Vietnam for its wine, the fruity red is easier on the palate than the heavy white.