Da Lat - City of Eternal Spring

Da Lat city is probably one of Vietnam's most well known vacation destination. Since the turn of the century, Da Lat has been the vacation spot for well-to-do vietnamese and foreigners. It is the unofficial honeymoon mecca of Vietnam. Located on Lám Viꮠ(Langbian) high lands, part of the greater Central high lands of Vietnam (Cao Nguyen Trung Phan), the city is 1500 m above sea level and is 305 km from Saigon. The name Da Lat originates from the hill tribe people in this region. It literally means Stream of the Lat people.

Area: 390.5 sq. km

Population: 130,000 habitants (2001)

Administrative divisions:

Wards: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Communes: Xuan Tho, Xuan Truong, Ta Nung

Ethnic groups: M’nong, Ma, Co Ho...

- Historical & Cultural Vestiges: Dalat Cathedral, Lam Dong Museum, Linh Son Pagoda, Truc Lam Buddhist Pagoda.

- Scenic Landscapes: Dalat Flower Park, Dambri Waterfall, Lake of Sighs, Lang Bian Mountains, Ponguor Waterfall, Prenn Falls, Valley of Love, Xuan Huong Lake.

- Cultural Travel: Ma Festival, Co Ho - New Rice Ceremony.

- Ecological Travel: Dalat Palace Golf Club.

Dalat, capital of Lam Dong Province, is located approximately 308km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. At an elevation of 1,500 m, Dalat bears the look of an Old French city. It was founded in 1897 when Doctor Alexandre Yersin recommended that the area be developed as a resort town.

Dalat has many natural and artificial lakes such as Ho Xuan Huong, Than Tho, Da Thien, and Tuyen Lam bordered by lines of pine trees, which are a well-known feature of Dalat. A trip to Dalat is not complete until one goes to the Dalat Flower Gardens. The temperate climate of Dalat is suitable for flowers such as orchids, roses, lilies, and camellias.

Nowadays, tourists not only limit themselves to Dalat; they also visit the area of Langbian Highland and the ethnic minorities. Langbian Mountain’s highest peak at 2,165m is very tempting for climbers. From Lom Bieng Klo peak, one can see endless green mountains reflecting the silver rays of the sun. Many tours are organized in the area, including parachuting and climbing.

Attraction

1)Historical & Cultural Vestiges

Dalat Cathedral

Location: Dalat Cathedral is located on Tran Phu Road, near the Dalat Novotel Hotel, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province. Characteristics: The cathedral looks like a European cathedral from the Middle Ages with its many stained glass windows and 47m tower. The cathedral was built between 1931 and 1942. This cathedral was used by the French and other Europeans who used to live in Dalat or to spend holiday there.Masses are held from Monday to Saturday at 5.30am and 5.15pm, and Sunday at 5.30am, 7am, and 4pm.

Lam Dong Museum

Location: The Lam Dong Province Museum is located on the top of a hill at 4 Hung Vuong St., Dalat City, Lam Dong Province; about 1km from the Central Market. Characteristics: Here, there are local historical and traditional displays, including archaeological and ethnological artifacts.

Linh Son Pagoda

Location: Linh Son Pagoda is located on Nguyen Van Troi St., on a hill overlooking the centre of Dalat City, Lam Dong Province. Characteristics: The pagoda is office of the Buddhism Managing Committee of Lam Dong Province. The pagoda has been managed by a succession of monks. The present monk, Thich Tu Man, has been residing in the pagoda since 1964. In the middle altar, there is a 1,250kg bronze statue of Sakyamuni Buddha cast in 1952. In addition, there is a room in the pagoda where Buddhist books and souvenirs are sold.

Truc Lam Buddhist Pagoda

Location: Truc Lam Buddhist Pagoda is located on Phuong Hoang Mountain, by Tuyen Lam Lake in Ward 3, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province. Characteristics: Truc Lam Buddhist Pagoda is located amidst beautiful natural scenery. This is the biggest pagoda in Dalat City. The pagoda is covering an area of about 24ha with a Buddhist institute and a 22ha garden. The pagoda was inaugurated in 1994.The Bonze Superior Thich Thanh Tu, who built and still manages this pagoda, is also the Buddhist dignitary of Thuong Chieu Buddhist Pagoda in Dong Nai.

2)Scenic Landscapes

Dalat Flower Park

Location: The flower park is located at 2 Phu Dong Thien Vuong St., Dalat City, Lam Dong Province, which leads from Xuan Huong Lake to Dalat University. Characteristics: Dalat Flower Park is famous for its diverse species of flowers. It is considered a natural museum that houses a fine collection of native and exotic flowers. The park consists of at least 300 different kinds of flowers, hundreds of which are in blossom all year round.The flower park is open daily from 7.30 am to 4 pm.

Dambri Waterfall

Location: Dambri Waterfall is located 18km from the centre of Bao Loc Town, Lam Dong Province. Characteristics: The climate around Dambri Waterfall is cool all year round. This is a huge waterfall in Lam Dong Proince. On the way to Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can stop by Bao Loc, the land of tea, coffee and mulberry. Dambri Waterfall are surrounded by hills of mulberry, tea, and palm trees. Visitors can also enjoy a cruise on the clear lake.

Lake of Sighs

Location: This natural lake situated on top of a hill covered with pine trees, 6km east of Dalat City, Lam Dong Province. Characteristics: The sounds from the forest resemble the sighing of an invisible man. The lake has been surrounded by many stories and legends with sorrowful endings in which the heroine drowns in the lake to keep her true love forever. The lake has a vast and calm surface. Standing on the edge of the lake, a small path running towards the forest can be seen.

Lang Bian Mountains

Location: Lang Bian Mountains is located in Lac Duong District, Lam Dong Province; 12km north of center Dalat. Characteristics: Lang Bian Mountains are an ideal place for mountain climbing, paragliding, trekking or studying flora and rare bird species. At the foot of the mountains is Lat Village, where the Co Ho Minority lives.

Ponguor Waterfall

Location: The waterfall is located in Tan Hoi Commune, Duc Trong District, Lam Dong Province; more than 45km away from Dalat City. Characteristics: This waterfall is the most magnificent and powerful waterfall in the vicinity of Dalat. Ponguor Waterfall is 20m high in the mountains. The water falls into a big lake producing a great noise, whose echo can be heard far away.

Prenn Falls

Location: Prenn Falls is located at the foot of the Prenn Pass; 10km from the center of Dalat City.Characteristics: This is a famous waterfall. The foot of the falls is a small valley covered with flowers and pine trees. The 10km long pass is on the National Highway No.20 from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City. The famous waterfall is located approximately 100m from the road. As you approach the falls, you will be able to notice the subtle change in temperature brought by the mist from the water falling from a height of 10m. The foot of the falls is a small valley covered with flowers and pine trees. The cascading water falls down over a small bridge that crosses the small lake.

Valley of Love

Location: About 5km north of the centre of Dalat City. Characteristics: The beauty of the valley has become more poetic and seductive for travelers and lovers. Valley of Love ringed by hilly slopes covered with pine forest. Under King Bao Dai, the valley was called Hoa Binh (Peace) and then its name was changed to the Valley of Love. In 1972, Da Thien Lake was created in the valley and thanks to this enhancement, the beauty of the valley has become more poetic and seductive for travelers and lovers.

Xuan Huong Lake

Location: Xuan Huong Lake is located in the centre of Dalat City. Characteristics: Xuan Huong is a very beautiful lake. The surface of the lake is as smooth as glass reflecting the shadows of pine-trees which sing in the wind all day and night. Previously, Xuan Huong was a big lake in Dalat that was 5sq.km in the shape of a crescent moon. Xuan Huong Lake is a poetic site, attracting leisure visitors; it is also a popular rendezvous site for lovers. The road round Xuan Huong Lake is fully surrounded by pine-tree shadows, sometimes running straight, sometimes curved. Tourists can sit under ancient conifers to fish, play on the lake with pedal-boats in the shape of swans or rest at Thuy Ta Restaurant, admiring its exceptional architecture while enjoying a glass of fresh sweet water.

3)Cultural Travel

Ma Festival, Co Ho - New Rice Ceremony

Time: At the same time with Tet of Viet people.Place: B’Lao Ward, Bao Loc Town, Lam Dong Province. Objects of worship: Giang. Characteristics: Praying for timely rains and favorable weather and preventing wild beast from destroying fields.

4)Ecological Travel

Dalat Palace Golf Club

Location: The golf course is located in the centre of Dalat City, Lam Dong Province.Characteristics: This is an 18-hole golf course with international technical standards. The Dalat Palace Golf Club is a golf retreat that soothes the senses, invigorates the body and calms the mind. Since the opening of Dalat Palace Golf Club in 1922, it has hosted golfers from around the world. In early 1994, Dalat emerged once again as the ideal golf retreat in Southeast Asia with the revival and expansion of Dalat Palace Golf Club. The 18-hole course is crafted into the area’s gently rolling hills, surrounded by stately pine trees, and seated above majestic Xuan Huong Lake.The Dalat Palace Golf Club remains linked to its past by the original clubhouse, built in 1956 when the initial 9-hole club was first renovated. The clubhouse has been fully restored and remains in use today with a full pro shop, restaurant, fireplace and outdoor patio areas. The clubhouse restaurant offers both superb Vietnamese and International cuisine.

At 7,009 yards in length and par 72, Dalat Palace Golf Club is an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all levels. Low handicap players will be tested by a series of lakes, which meander through ten of eighteen holes, as well as strategically placed bunkers, which penalize the miscalculating risk-taker. Novice players will find relief with large accommodating greens normally left open for run-up approach shots, as well as wide, forgiving fairways.Dalat Palace Golf Club features par 3’s ranging in length from 164 to 234 yards and par 5’s up to 556 yards. These varied lengths allow a true examination of one’s golfing skills, and require that players use each club in their bag – the hallmark of a great golf course. Four different tee areas on each hole allow players to determine their own degree of challenge on the course.A full practice area complements the golf course, with an open 290-yard driving range, a putting green, and practice bunkers.The Dalat Palace Golf Club is the only golf course in South East Asia with bent grass tees, fairways and greens – considered to be the ultimate playing surface in golf. The large, undulating bent grass greens are maintained to impeccable standards.

Source: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism