As one of the five Central Highlands provinces with no international borderline, Lam Dong province borders Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan provinces to the east, Dong Nai province to the southwest, Binh Thuan province to the southeast and Dak Lak province to the north. Covering some 9,772 square kilometers, Lam Dong is the seventh largest province in the country. It has a population of 1.29 million (according to the 2017 figures) and is home to Kinh (Viet) people as the most populous and other ethnic groups, including Churu, Ma, K’ho and M’nong. It has Da Lat and Bao Loc cities and ten districts. Lam Dong province is connected with the southeastern region, Ho Chi Minh City, other Central Highlands provinces and southern Central Vietnam provinces via national highways 20, 27 and 28.
Dalat is known as the Spring or the Flower City of Vietnam. The temperate climate, rich in resources, and humanity give the city opportunities to attract millions of visitors annually. Dalat tourism has developed significantly in recent years. Being named Little Paris, Dalat has dreamy and poetic beauty, especially at night because of the cold plateau. In the early morning, the mountains and forests here are covered in mist, creating a picturesque scene. Moreover, Dalat used to be the colony of French colonialists in the first half of the 20th century. Therefore, there are some unique colonial architectures that can still be preserved today such as markets, villas, mansions, and churches.
The best time to go to Lam Dong is during the dry season from early November to the end of March. The end of autumn, the beginning of winter and beginning of spring also make good times to visit. During these months, travelers can find many of Da Lat’s native flowers such as wild sunflowers and cherry blossoms in full bloom around the city. Avoid the rainy season during April to October, as almost daily afternoon thunderstorms will make it less enjoyable to venture outdoors.
Lien Khuong International Airport (DLI) serves the city of Da Lat with domestic and international flights from Thailand. There are also bus routes connecting Da Lat with major tourist destinations in the South Central Coast and Southern Vietnam.
Designed by French architects Moncet and Reveron in 1938, Da Lat Railway Station is now a historical landmark for the city and only serves a touristic route in a vintage locomotive to the village of Trai Mat.
Baolau makes it easy to compare transportation options and make advance booking for plane, train and bus tickets. Find out more with our comprehensive transportation guides to flights, buses and trains in Vietnam.
Lien Khuong airport
Within Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air operate domestic flights connecting Hanoi to Da Lat, Hai Phong to Da Lat, Vinh to Da Lat, Hue to Da Lat, Da Nang to Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh to Da Let and Can Tho to Da Lat.
From Thailand, Thai VietJet Air operates international flights connecting Bangkok to Da Lat.
– Phuc Thuan Thao operates regular bus services from Tuy Hoa to Da Lat.
– The Sinh Tourist, Phuong Trang (Futa Bus) operate regular bus services from Nha Trang to Da Lat.
– Hanh Cafe, The Sinh Tourist operate regular bus services from Phan Thiet to Da Lat and Mui Ne to Da Lat.
– The Sinh Tourist, Phuong Trang (Futa Bus), Thinh Phat Limousine operate regular bus services and Hoang Vu Limousine and Minh Tri Limousine operate limousine van services from Ho Chi Minh to Da Lat.
The famous tourist destinations of Da Lat are mostly concentrated in the downtown area. These are all familiar places but still very attractive with their own beauty.
Considered as a symbol of the city, Xuan Huong Lake has a clear water surface and is surrounded by trees and green lawns. Xuan Huong Lake is also home to famous tourist destinations such as Lam Vien Square, City Garden, Yersin Park.
Activities: duck boat riding, cycling around the lake, check-in at the Y-bridge.
Lam Vien Square is next to Xuan Huong lake, near BigC Dalat
Dalat is a resort land, so it is not surprising that there are three villas built by King Bao Dai as a place to work and relax. All three Bao Dai palaces (also known as Dinh I, Dinh II, and Dinh III) carry European architecture and the interior still retains the traditional Hue court.
Dinh I: 01 Tran Quang Dieu, Ward 10, Dalat – Ticket price: 30.000 VND/sightseeing ticket, 150.000 VND/package ticket with 7 costume and entertainment services at Dinh I.
Dinh II: 12 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 10, Dalat. Palace II is less touristy than the others.
Dinh III: 01 Trieu Viet Vuong, Ward 4, Dalat – Ticket price: VND 25.000/adult, children under 1m2 are free of charge.
A familiar gathering place for tourists every night, Dalat night market has several shops, specialty counters, fashion products made of wool, and lovely souvenirs.
Featuring French architecture, Dalat Railway Station is one of the most attractive destinations in Dalat. There are still old steam cars and old tracks tinged with time. Currently, the train runs five trips, serving tourists from the city center to Trai Mat station.
Ticket price: 85.000 VND/round-trip ticket
Address: 1 Quang Trung, Ward 10, Dalat
Opening hours: 6 am to 5 pm
Located at the end of the Dalat railway, Linh Phuoc (or Ve Chai Pagoda) is impressed by the intricate mosaic carvings. In particular, the pagoda has the tallest bell tower in Vietnam, Dai Hong Chung is 8.5 tons and the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara statue is made of 700.000 immortal flowers.
Address: 120 Tu Phuoc, Trai Mat, Ward 12, Dalat (8 km from the city center)
Operation time: From 8 am to 5 pm
As a famous hand-embroidered painting village of Dalat, XQ Dalat Su Quan also attracts tourists with ancient Hue architecture, bringing nostalgic atmosphere about a Vietnamese art space. Young people often call this place a “little Japan” among Dalat.
Address: 80 Mai Anh Dao, Dalat
Nestled between pine forests and green hillsides, Love Valley is a famous tourist destination in Dalat from past to present. The valley includes many small landscapes, flower gardens, and lakes, which is suitable for tourists to take photos and relax.
Address: 3-5-7 Mai Anh Dao, Dalat
Ticket price: 100.000 VND/adult; VND 50.000/child, includes admission, boat or duck ride, tram. If you want to ride a Jeep, the price is 360.000 VND/car/turn for 6 people.
As the highest mountain range in Lam Dong Province, Lang Biang is an ideal place for travelers who like outdoor activities and exercising with trekking, jeep riding, or hiking through the forest. The resort also has adventure sports such as climbing with rope and paragliding to admire the whole city.
Address: Lac Duong District, Lam Dong Province (12 km north of the city center)
Opening hours: From 8 am to 5 pm
Ticket price: 30.000 VND/person. Jeep costs 60.000 VND/person/round.
Down to the South, you will have the opportunity to explore a series of beautiful and majestic locations that are known as the symbols of the city.
As the largest lake in Dalat, Tuyen Lam Lake is surrounded by lush green pine forests, offering a charming, poetic landscape of mountain town. This area also has many high-class resorts, golf courses, and boats to serve the needs of tourists.
Address: Ward 4, Dalat
Directions: Follow the Highway 20 about 4 km, down Prenn Pass, then turn right on Truc Lam Yen Tu street. Go straight about 1 km to Tuyen Lam Lake.
Located on Phuong Hoang Mountain, Truc Lam Zen Monastery (Thien Vien Truc Lam) is the largest monastery of Truc Lam Yen Tu lineage. You can try Dalat Cable Car when traveling from Robin Hill to Phuong Hoang Mountain.
Address: On Phuong Hoang Mountain, Ward 3, Dalat city. About 5 km south of Dalat city center
Opening hours: From 5 am to 9 pm every day of week
Cable car: 50.000 VND/way or 70.000 VND/round trip
Coming to this more than 100-year-old tea hill, you will enjoy the fresh air of the morning dew, light sunshine, and fragrant tea leaves.
Address: Cau Dat Hamlet – Xuan Truong Commune, about 20 km southeast of Dalat city center
Opening hours: From 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Leaning against Prenn Pass, Datanla waterfall has a gentle, sometimes fierce look. This is a great place for visitors to explore and conquer. The entertainment activities at Datanla waterfall are quite diverse such as cable cars, rope climbing, balancing bridges, and challenging the death region.
Address: Prenn Pass, Highway 20, Ward 3, Dalat
Ticket price: 30.000 VND/entrance ticket. Each game will have its own price
Lam Dong is absolutely an amazing destination that should be in your travel list. We hope this Lam Dong travel guide will be useful for your upcoming Dalat trip.
