Da Lat Travel Guide: Things to Do in Vietnam's Highland City

This Da Lat travel guide covers Vietnam's cool highland city in the south, known for pine forests, lakes, flower farms and coffee. From our Vietnam travel blog, it lists things to do in town and in the hills, the best time to visit, how to get there, a three-day plan, and a stop in Bao Loc on the way from Ho Chi Minh City.

Da Lat sits at about 1,500 meters, so it is far cooler than the coast. Lien Khuong airport outside the city accepts the e-visa; if you need one, apply for a Vietnam e-visa online before you fly.

Da Lat at a glance:

Things to do in Da Lat town

The center of Da Lat wraps around Xuan Huong lake, with the market, cafes and French-era villas within walking distance. Walk the lake in the morning, then explore the hills around it.

The Crazy House (Hang Nga Villa) is a guesthouse and gallery of twisting, tree-like buildings and bridges, unlike anywhere else in Vietnam. The old Da Lat railway station is a colonial-era building with a short tourist train. Linh Phuoc pagoda, east of town, is covered in mosaics made from broken ceramics. In the evening, the night market sells grilled snacks and warm soy milk.

Waterfalls, mountains and farms

The hills around Da Lat hold waterfalls, a mountain viewpoint and farms producing coffee, flowers and vegetables. Most visitors spend a day on these, by tour or with a driver.

Datanla falls, just south of the city, has an alpine coaster that runs down through the forest to the falls. Langbiang mountain, north of town, has a jeep road and walking trails to views over the plateau. The Truc Lam monastery is reached by cable car over the pine forest. Coffee farms around Da Lat welcome visitors for tastings; our guide to Vietnamese coffee culture explains the drinks.

Best time to visit Da Lat

November to April is the best time to visit Da Lat, during the dry season, with sunny days and cool, clear nights. December to February brings the coolest weather and blooming flowers.

May to October is the rainy season, with afternoon showers but fewer crowds and lower prices. Pack layers in any month: nights can be cold, especially in winter.

Getting to Da Lat

Da Lat is reached by air via Lien Khuong airport or by road from Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang or Mui Ne. Mountain roads are winding, so allow extra time.

From Ho Chi Minh City, the road trip takes most of a day; flights take about an hour. From Nha Trang, the mountain road climbs through forests and passes; our Nha Trang guide covers the coast. Mui Ne, covered in our Mui Ne guide, is also linked by road.

Planning 3 days in Da Lat

Three days gives a day in town, a day in the hills and a day for farms or slow cafes. Two days works for a quick visit.

If you are coming from Ho Chi Minh City by road, plan a stop on the way, and check which airport your flight uses.

Da Lat travel guide extras

Two extras help when planning around Da Lat. Both are about getting there.

Bao Loc on the way

Bao Loc, on the highway between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat, is known for tea plantations, silk workshops and waterfalls. It makes a good overnight stop on a road trip, and is quieter than Da Lat.

Flying into Lien Khuong

Lien Khuong airport is one of the airports that accept the Vietnam e-visa, as our list of e-visa airports shows. Most flights there are domestic, so international visitors usually connect via Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.

VietnamVisa-Easy.com is a private visa service operated by H2 Global Travel JSC since 2012, not a government website, and you can apply directly at evisa.gov.vn for US$25. If you would like your application checked first, start your application with us.