Da Lat

Da Lat (Dalat) City is located in Langbian (Lam Vien) highland (elevation:1500 meters) Da Lat means a stream or water of the Lat tribe (a tribe living in the area). The site of Da Lat was discovered in 1897 by Dr. Alexandre Yersin (1863-1943) It was officially established in 1912. The temperature here is not lower than 10 degrees C in the winter and not higher than 18 degrees C in the summer.

The City may be called the city of everlasting spring with many beautiful falls, lakes, pagodas. It is surrounded by numerous, dense evergreen forests, waterfalls, and lakes, Da Lat offers a unique vista, clean fresh mountain air and breathtaking views of the surrounding pine tree draped mountains. The scenery is impressive with the Lang Bang volcanic peaks towering to 2,400 meters. Da Lat's architecture resembles a beautiful European town style in the late 1800’s . Alpine forests and cool waterfalls, golf and orchid gardens make Da Lat an appealing addition to any extended travel itinerary. Da Lat is also famous for flowers, coffee, and strawberries.

The beautiful sights and pleasant climate attracts many visitors, particularly families and honeymooners. It is also a favorite place to escape the heat of Southern Vietnam. That is the reason today Da Lat's primary industry is tourism.

Dalat has a charming French district behind the Rap 3-4 cinema, which is well worth exploring. This is also where a number of the hotels are situated. In the centre of town there is a large fresh produce market which sells some of the nicest strawberries (when in season) that you can ever hope to taste!

The city is also the centre of kitsch in Vietnam. Keep an eye out for the Da Lat Cowboys, who ride around the town on horseback. You an also take a ride on a swan boat in the lake or buy one of the dozens of tacky trinkets on sale in the market.

Da Lat has a lot worth visiting, especially if you are into kitsch. Da Lat has the only eighteen hole golf course in Vietnam , and anyone can play a round there! A few hours could quite easily be spent riding bikes around the lake a stopping off at the interesting sights near it. The Botanical gardens also offers a lovely place to hang out.