Five thousand feet above sea level sits the city of Da Lat, known as the ‘Agricultural Capital’ of Vietnam for its rich soil and temperate climate.
In the cover of night a bus bumped along the 156 miles between Saigon and Da Lat and deposited us in front of Pi Boutique Hotel. It was just after 4 am and thanks to the email I sent the night before, a hotel clerk was awaiting our arrival at the early hour and offered my husband and I the option of an early check in for half the price of an evening’s stay.
Da Lat’s streets lack a grid system of any kind, and the twisting roads of this small city make navigation and wrong turns a formidable challenge. But despite its small size, Da Lat is a rewarding stop through Vietnam and offers a welcome break from the sweltering heat of the Mekong river delta.
Originally established by the French in the late 1800’s, a getaway for the colonialists who needed a place to escape the heat of the lowlands, Da Lat’s heavy European influence is still visible today in the Swiss and French architecture that permeates almost every aspect of the city.
With the winding roads and sloping hills, Da Lat is a fun city to wander by foot. I do advise comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen as that elevation will sneak up on you!
- Crazy House
- This architectural feat is one of the most well-known attractions in Da Lat. Created by architect Dr. Dang Viet Nga, Crazy House is a fantastical construction with a rich history of perseverance and the pursuit of a woman who refused to be bound by the confines of traditional architecture. The dream-like creation is a truly unique structure and well worth the visit (entry 80,000 VND for adults, ~$3 USD). If you’re up for the adventure, some of the quirky rooms are even bookable for overnight stays.
- Address: 03 Đ. Huỳnh Thúc Kháng, Phường 4, Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 66115, Vietnam
- Hours: 8:30 am – 6:30 pm
- This architectural feat is one of the most well-known attractions in Da Lat. Created by architect Dr. Dang Viet Nga, Crazy House is a fantastical construction with a rich history of perseverance and the pursuit of a woman who refused to be bound by the confines of traditional architecture. The dream-like creation is a truly unique structure and well worth the visit (entry 80,000 VND for adults, ~$3 USD). If you’re up for the adventure, some of the quirky rooms are even bookable for overnight stays.
- Maze Bar
- 100 Roofs Maze Bar is a Crazy House-esqe bar that has seemingly endless nooks and crannies to sit and enjoy your drink of choice. Having no idea how extensive the place was, my husband and I were on our way to leave when some people asked us if we had made it to the roofs. Had we left, we would have missed the vast majority of the sprawling bar and the incredible views from the multiple rooftop areas. An absolute must-see stop in Da Lat as every turn produced yet another artistic masterpiece.
- Address: 57 Phan Bội Châu, Phường 1, Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam
- Hours: 8am – 12am
- 100 Roofs Maze Bar is a Crazy House-esqe bar that has seemingly endless nooks and crannies to sit and enjoy your drink of choice. Having no idea how extensive the place was, my husband and I were on our way to leave when some people asked us if we had made it to the roofs. Had we left, we would have missed the vast majority of the sprawling bar and the incredible views from the multiple rooftop areas. An absolute must-see stop in Da Lat as every turn produced yet another artistic masterpiece.
- The Night Market
- Da Lat’s night market takes place every evening in the city center on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, just off the west end of Xuan Huong Lake. The main square (technically a circle) serves as a main trading hub, the morning produce trade running from 2 am to 9 am, and kicking off again in the evening around 6 pm when clothing and food vendors come out for the lively night market, closing up shops around 10 pm.
- Address: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Da Lat, Lam Dong, Vietnam
- Hours: 6pm – 10 pm
- Da Lat’s night market takes place every evening in the city center on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, just off the west end of Xuan Huong Lake. The main square (technically a circle) serves as a main trading hub, the morning produce trade running from 2 am to 9 am, and kicking off again in the evening around 6 pm when clothing and food vendors come out for the lively night market, closing up shops around 10 pm.
- Clothing Market under the Colline Hotel (Cho Da Lat Market)
- The Colline Hotel in Da Lat sits on top of the expansive Cho Da Lat Market that houses floor after floor of new and second-hand apparel, footwear and accessories. The variety and sheer volume of product is staggering. I walked stunned at the magnitude of everything that was on offer. Incredible, one-of-a-kind pieces and hidden gems can be sourced here if given enough time.
- Address: Đường Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Phường 1, Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 02633, Vietnam
- Hours: 7am – 7pm
- The Colline Hotel in Da Lat sits on top of the expansive Cho Da Lat Market that houses floor after floor of new and second-hand apparel, footwear and accessories. The variety and sheer volume of product is staggering. I walked stunned at the magnitude of everything that was on offer. Incredible, one-of-a-kind pieces and hidden gems can be sourced here if given enough time.
- Linh Phuoc Temple
- This Buddhist site is a 20 minute car ride from Da Lat’s city center and holds a number of records, including the largest indoor Buddha in Vietnam and a statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara made from 600,000 flowers. Although initial construction of the site began in 1949, it continued to undergo a series of renovations for the next 3 decades. One of the most striking features of the structures is their mosaic-style facades, created with tens of thousands of porcelain pieces that have been meticulously adhered to every surface.
- Location: No. 120, Tu Phuoc Street, Trai Mat Village, Ward 11, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province
- Hours: 8am – 5pm
- This Buddhist site is a 20 minute car ride from Da Lat’s city center and holds a number of records, including the largest indoor Buddha in Vietnam and a statue of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara made from 600,000 flowers. Although initial construction of the site began in 1949, it continued to undergo a series of renovations for the next 3 decades. One of the most striking features of the structures is their mosaic-style facades, created with tens of thousands of porcelain pieces that have been meticulously adhered to every surface.
- Phuong Nam Bookstore and Stationery
- A large and entertaining bookstore with English books and a variety of souvenirs to choose from. I was captivated by the fantastic selection of stickers, water bottles and every kind of stationary need you can possibly dream of.
- Address: 279 đường Phan Đình Phùng, Phường 2, Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam
- Hours: 7:30 am to 9pm
- A large and entertaining bookstore with English books and a variety of souvenirs to choose from. I was captivated by the fantastic selection of stickers, water bottles and every kind of stationary need you can possibly dream of.
- Cong Caphe
- Despite being an international chain, Cong Caphe is a must if traveling through Vietnam. Their extensive menu has distinctive drinks and snacks, each expertly prepared and offers many enticing options for non-coffee drinkers as well. The decor at each location is equally exquisite, showcasing a vintage style that conjures rustic elegance and peace. I highly recommend the coconut coffee and the Kumquat Iced Tea, although with enough time I would like to work my way through the entire menu.
- Various locations, visit here to find the nearest location
- Hours: varies by location
- Despite being an international chain, Cong Caphe is a must if traveling through Vietnam. Their extensive menu has distinctive drinks and snacks, each expertly prepared and offers many enticing options for non-coffee drinkers as well. The decor at each location is equally exquisite, showcasing a vintage style that conjures rustic elegance and peace. I highly recommend the coconut coffee and the Kumquat Iced Tea, although with enough time I would like to work my way through the entire menu.
- Highlands Coffee Shop in Lam Vien Square
- Lam Vien Square is a tourist attraction on the southern edge of Xuan Huong Lake, offering a scenic backdrop for photos including the Highlands coffee shop, a large glass structure in the shape of an artichoke bud. Although another chain establishment, Highland Coffee offers refreshing snacks and beverages, and this particular location is a fun place to stop as the people watching is incredibly entertaining. From our vantage point on the second floor of the artichoke bud we could see several photographers offering their services to tourists. One photographer had even brought two large dogs he was offering as photography props.
- Address: Lam Vien Square, Đ. Trần Quốc Toản, Phường 1, Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 66000, Vietnam
- Hours: 7am to 11pm (Lam Vien Square is open to the public at all times)
- Lam Vien Square is a tourist attraction on the southern edge of Xuan Huong Lake, offering a scenic backdrop for photos including the Highlands coffee shop, a large glass structure in the shape of an artichoke bud. Although another chain establishment, Highland Coffee offers refreshing snacks and beverages, and this particular location is a fun place to stop as the people watching is incredibly entertaining. From our vantage point on the second floor of the artichoke bud we could see several photographers offering their services to tourists. One photographer had even brought two large dogs he was offering as photography props.
- Try Avocado Ice Cream at Cham Cafe & Kem Bo
- Avocado ice cream (Kem Bo) is a popular dessert made with avocados and condensed milk that gives the ice cream an extra rich and creamy texture and not over-the-top sweetness. At Cham Cafe & Kem just a few blocks from the Da Lat market, the avocado ice cream sundae included chopped fresh durian fruit, sliced almond, dried coconut, dried durian, longan, milk foam and lychee. It was truly a unique treat and filled me up like I’d just eaten a full meal.
- Address: 27 Nguyễn Trãi, Phường 9, Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam
- Hours: 7:30 am – 10pm
- Avocado ice cream (Kem Bo) is a popular dessert made with avocados and condensed milk that gives the ice cream an extra rich and creamy texture and not over-the-top sweetness. At Cham Cafe & Kem just a few blocks from the Da Lat market, the avocado ice cream sundae included chopped fresh durian fruit, sliced almond, dried coconut, dried durian, longan, milk foam and lychee. It was truly a unique treat and filled me up like I’d just eaten a full meal.
- Try Banh Ong La Dua (Pandan Tube Cake)
- At the top of the stairs above the night market a man sells these delicious treats from his mobile steam cart. Made to order and topped with crushed peanuts, these ghostly green delicacies have a comforting, glutinous fragrance and delightful flavor of salty and sweet, fluffy and crunchy.
- Address: The two evenings I saw the vendor he was parked along the stairs that run between Nam Ky Khoi Nghia and Nguyen Chi Thanh.
- At the top of the stairs above the night market a man sells these delicious treats from his mobile steam cart. Made to order and topped with crushed peanuts, these ghostly green delicacies have a comforting, glutinous fragrance and delightful flavor of salty and sweet, fluffy and crunchy.
