A picturesque location in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Da Lat is surrounded by rice paddies, lakes and waterfalls. Admire Da Lat’s French colonial buildings, historic summer palace and ornate Buddhist pagodas, while a romantic valley offers a unique retreat for lovers.

Things to do

Visit the Bao Dai Summer Palace to see the mansion where Vietnam’s royalty once lived. Browse the 25 rooms housing a collection of well-preserved artefacts, including sculptures of the royal family and an engraved glass map of Vietnam.

Covered in stunning mosaics and mythical creatures, the Linh Phuoc Pagoda is the most ornate Buddhist shrine in Da Lat. Admire the 49-meter-long dragon’s head at the entrance gate, which was created by small pieces of glass from 12,000 glass bottles, then marvel at the 18-meter-high golden statue decorated with over 600,000 flowers.

Traveling with a loved one? At the 242-hectare Valley of Love, you can take a photo beside a large golden statue of a pair of hands exchanging rings. Afterward, rent one of the swan-shaped paddle boats or take a hike through the pine forest to a lookout with views of the valley below.

Lace up your hiking boots and see some of Da Lat’s most beautiful waterfalls. Elephant Falls is located in a valley at the bottom of a scenic mountain pass and features a giant rock that resembles the head of an elephant, while the Pongour Falls are among the largest in Vietnam at 20 meters tall and 100 meters wide.

Getting around

You can explore the city center of Da Lat by foot but will need a car or taxi to travel further afield. Lien Khuong Airport is 30 kilometers south of Da La and offers domestic flights to Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.