This stunning Vietnamese City of Dalat is waiting for exploration with a range of peaceful, quirky and fascinating things to do in Dalat, that will get any tourist travelling into the region mesmerised by its absolute beauty.

The captivating Dalat city in the Central Highlands of Southern Vietnam is perfect for any traveller who is seeking a versatile amount of activities for your getaway the famous Southeast Asian Country.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a family travelling with young kids, or even on romantic escape into the highlands.

You’ll find the perfect activity for any occasion, and you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll be returning to the vibrant city upon your return trip to Vietnam.

With a range of activities on hand for the tourists to the area, it’s only fair to run over a few of the things to do in Dalat, and even when you’re done jotting down the details on Fair Dinkum traveller’s list of activities, you’ll still find so much more things to do in this famous inland city of Vietnam.

 

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A List of Exciting Things to do in DaLat – Vietnam

Below is a list of things to do in Da Lat, when you’re visiting the picturesque highlands of Southern Vietnam.

 

Visit Dazzling Waterfalls such as Elephant and Prenn Waterfalls

There are many dazzling waterfalls to view when checking out what to do in Dalat.

There is no doubt on your visit to the region you’ll go out of your way to see a couple of thunderous falls while travelling in a gorgeous area, a day trip with a hired driver is usually the best way to get to the falls, along with other Dalat attractions.

The Elephant Waterfall is one of the most spectacular, and it got its name from a rock that resembles an elephant.

This beautiful waterfall, situated about 45-minutes from Dalat City, will make you melt upon first sight as you look at the flowing water from all different angles off the beaten track to get there.

Another significant fall is the Prenn Waterfall, which in itself is an attraction amongst many other attractions.

Inside the vast area of Prenn Waterfall, there is plenty of kid-friendly games and activities, beautiful little forest walks and canoe rides along the flowing water.

It makes for a family-friendly outing with the sounds of the crashing water heard in the background, which itself is a fantastic sight to see.

Many other waterfalls in the area are spread out far and wide, in that case, it can be quite challenging to get to them all during your stay in Dalat, but heck, you’ll see some beautiful scenery in your attempt to do so.

Popular falls to note in the region include the Pongour and Dantanla Waterfalls. You can find a list of other falls by clicking on the link.

 

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Weasel Coffee Plantation is a must for coffee lovers

It is a must during your Dalat tour to have a mega coffee experience at the Weasel Coffee Plantation, it’s a must see attraction for any coffee lover, where you can sip freshly brewed coffee and view the beautiful Dalat Highlands in the background, which indeed look gorgeous in its rich green colour.

The story of how the Weasel coffee beans are made is fascinating, and you’ve quite possibly heard it before. The odd-looking animal, the Weasel, eats the coffee bean, it goes through their system undigested and with the acid from the stomach gives the coffee its distinct flavour.

So yes, the coffee beans come from the droppings of a weasel and the rest is processed from there. It may sound disgusting, but for coffee lovers, it’s a must-try when in Dalat.

 

 

Visiting a Cricket farm is one of the unique activities in Da Lat

Unless you are visiting this unique place as part of your Dalat tour, there isn’t much to see at the Cricket Farm unless you love seeing little cricket’s bounce around in a dark room, and no, it’s not that exciting and the time spent at this location will be short.

Perhaps your lure to the farm will be to taste a cricket, and if it is, good luck to you for being spontaneous.

My suggestion is that you stick to a delicious bowl of pho; it tastes much better.

 

Linh Phuoc Pagoda

Linh Phuoc Pagoda is a uniquely designed Buddhist temple made from broken glass and smashed up pottery a quite fascintating Dalat attraction.

The visually stunning and popular attraction of Dalat is a treat for all tourist, not only because it requires no entry fee to stumble into the grounds of the heritage building.

It truly is mesmerising to gaze your eyes on the temple from many vantage points available to you.

The most common thing to do inside the Linh Phuoc Pagoda is to go inside the main temple halls to partake in their prayer rituals and to spend time admiring the interior design inside the pagoda.

You may spend a few moments wondering if the portrait monks inside the halls are real or not. I can assure you; they’re not real.

 

 

Indulge in Delicious Pastries at Lien Hoa Bakery

This little bakery in Dalat City is a real treat for everyone with a large selection of bread, savouries, pastries, sweets and magnificently designed cakes.

At all hours of the day, the Lien Hoa Bakery is crammed with tourists and locals alike who are keen to grab a large selection of baked goods at a ridiculously low price for a delicious treat. You will put this bakery on your Dalat city tour.

 

The crazy house is one of the most Quirky things to do in Dalat

The architecture around the Crazy House is fascinating, and it easily the most bizarre attraction you’ll visit in the city.

The Crazy House Dalat was designed by one lady, which in all her creativeness and wisdom took 14-years to create what can only be called a masterpiece.

Originally named Hang Nga Villa, the Crazy House is, in fact, a hotel, where the guest comes to stay, but during the day many visitors come to explore the house for a small admission fee.

Once inside, you can go climbing up a variety of steps to reach great heights and capture magnificent views of the quirky hotel and the city of Dalat.

It’s an attraction that is suitable for families, and kids will love the maze-like pathways throughout and go on a full-on exploration trip in the Crazy House.

 

 

Take a Stroll around the Xuan Huong Lake

For romantic and fun things to do in Da Lat, check out the breathtaking scenic lakes make up a lot of Dalat and there is none better than the five-kilometre path of Xuan Huong Lake.

The lake is continuously busy with pedestrians taking a long stroll around the lake to view the delightful gardens on display, and if walking is not your style, you can take a horse carriage ride instead.

For a little on-water activity you can enjoy a ride on the pedal boats that are available for hire, and once your thighs get a solid workout, you can stop for by at the cafe for coffee with gorgeous views.

The Xuan Huong Lake is not the only lake in Dalat, there are many others in the area that are waiting to be discovered, and just as beautiful tucked away in the scenic highlands, which can be seen on your drive-by on a Dalat day tour.

The Popular lakes to take note of in Dalat include the Valley of Love and the Tuyen Lam Lake. You can find a list of other lakes by clicking on the link.

 

 

Relax inside the Bich Cau Garden

The Bich Cau Garden deserves a separate mention, even though it’s attached to the previously Xuan Huong Lake.

Bich Cau Garden a picturesque garden island on the eastern end of the Lake and it’s a delight to gaze your eyes upon the delightful gardens and stay for a coffee or bite to eat at the garden cafe.

 

Enjoy the Colour at the Dalat Flower Park

The Dalat Flower Park is full of amazing colour that gets many tourists through the fancy gate to catch a glimpse of the blooming flowers, picturesque lake, decorative bonsai’s and the picturesque views from above.

It’s a walk-in nature at its very finest as you take in the colour and serenity of the Dalat Flower Park.

 

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Dalat Cable Cars

Get the best views in the Highlands by going to great heights in a Cable car in Dalat, which is approximately around15-minutes from the city.

The journey in the cars covers the picturesque region, and you’ll get the opportunity to truly appreciate the beauty that makes a Dalat trip so accessible for all travellers who venture to the area.

 

Dalat Cathedral

You’ll be hard pressed in Vietnam to find a Cathedral that isn’t beautiful, or anywhere in the world for that matter.

The Cathedral in Dalat is no exception, and it’s only a stone throw from the City Centre, which makes it a relaxing walk through the streets of Dalat.

The light-coloured Dalat Cathedral stands out clearly amongst a city of less spectacular infrastructure, and excellent photos shots are promised to be taken of the unusual attraction. It also has splendid views of the surrounding area.

 

 

 

Big C Supermarket

A little modern day shopping is not forgotten in Dalat, with an underground boutique shopping mall that is known as the Big C Supermarket.

If you want to escape the outdoors for a while, come inside the boutique mall for a little grocery shopping, retail shopping and a feed in the food-court area of the mall. There are a few fun and games options inside the mal for the kids too.

 

Take your pick with Dining Options

Being Vietnam, obviously Dalat is not short for dining options as one would expect.

Choices are plenty where you can either wander around the City Centre and help yourself to a meal on the run by purchasing a feed on the cheap at many located food stalls that are readily available.

It’s a great chance to save some coin and stop by for an extremely cheap meal and sit down on a stool that is no higher than your shins as the traffic goes on by.

For those who wish to have a traditional sit-down meal in the comforts of a restaurant, there are many conveniently located restaurants in the city to pick and choose from in Dalat.

Don’t hesitate by worrying about the standard of the food, in Dalat; it’s all good, dine in style and enjoy a delicious Vietnamese meal with a refreshing ice-cold beer.

 

 

Dalat Night Market

Did anyone say shopping in Dalat Vietnam? Why not with a bargain bound to be found in the Dalat markets.

The Night markets are not too different from those in Saigon; they’re crowded with people looking for a bargain with heaps of cheap stuff to be found during your adventure in the jungle of the markets.

The Dalat Night Market comes with all the basics items associated with Southeast Asian markets with a large fruit and veg section, butchers section, food court and clothing apparel.

The atmosphere is always buzzing, and it is a great way to enjoy the nightlife in Dalat.

 

 

Take a walk through the City Centre

As with any destination world-wide you visit during your travels, strolling through the city in a slow and leisurely pace is compulsory.

You never know what hidden secrets you will discover when you explore on your own two feet with dark alleys and side streets always full of exciting surprises.

A Dalat City tour is compulsory viewing during your stay.

The city is unique with crowded streets, thousands of motorbikes are manic on the roads, but not as bad as Saigon, and bunched up buildings, seemingly built too close for comfort, is a fascinating sight to see as you walk the streets of Dalat city centre.

 

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Book a day tour away from Dalat

There is so much to do and see in and around Dalat that it is a must to venture out a day tour to fascinating places, some of those attractions are even on this list.

During a Dalat one day tour, you will have covered a sizeable expansive region of the area as you go far and wide to explore the fascinating region.

 

Dalat star

The Dalat Star s a stunning attraction that needs one two hours of your time. It’s a magical place where you can wander through a maze of sculptures and villages that is made entirely of clay.

The making of the Star is made of locally used red soil and mixed with stone powder and cement, with the result being a delightful attraction that the whole family will enjoy.

There you have, that is a list of awesome things to do in Dalat.

On top of this crazy list, you’ll find many more amazing things to do, such as adventures through the forest or a round of golf at the picturesque Dalat golf course.

The choices are many, and now all you need to do is head to Vietnam and go inland to Dalat.

 

Enjoy a Dalat City Tour with Klook!

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I loved my travel to Vietnam and in particular Ho Chi Minh City where I spent most of my time, I really did, the people, the food, the old heritage buildings and to a lesser extent, the craziness on the streets.

There was so much to love about travelling to Vietnam, yet in another way, it was some kind of love hate relationship and I don’t mean that in a negative way by any stretch. Yet, as I leave your special land for now, let’s stay friends, because I will be back again and I’ll be eager to eat your pho and drink your Saigon Special beer once again.

Visiting Vietnam, especially Ho Chi Minh City was interesting to say the least, crazy road conditions, where traffic lights were rare and even when they were around, it seemed to be a choice by the locals if the rules were followed. It then made attempting to cross a road, near on impossible and with kids around even harder, but we did manage.

 

 

 

The locals were great, sure some of them were pushy, even rude, and at first it seemed a little disturbing when in the hustle and bustle of the streets.

Yet at the end of the day, most of the locals were polite and eventually you got used to the hectic streets, because it is a chaotic city and people do what they have got to do to get around.

Life in downtown Saigon is a rat race and if you are too nice you get left behind. If you’re not aggressive, you get left stranded. Quite simply, if you don’t like a mad rush, then don’t visit Ho Chi Minh City. Personally I wasn’t overawed by the occasion but I certainly respected it.

What about the Vietnamese Food? Well there is lots and lots of that famous Vietnamese pho, you know, that rice noodle soup that is sold in just about every second house in the city.

While there is a lot of variety of Vietnamese food available, the popular choices were the soup or the bread rolls filled with meat and salads that was easily accessible on the streets, just like the soup. At least that is the way it is in the South of Vietnam.

 

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Travel to Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City – My Opinion of the Chaotic City

The good and the bad of Ho Chi Minh City? What did I like? Or not like? Let’s jump into it and who knows it may help you prepare for your visit to Vietnam in the future and you may share a similar love hate relationship in your Vietnam Travel experience.

The Not So Good Bits About Visiting Vietnam

1. Chaotic Saigon: Bike, bikes everywhere. Down a small alley way, there will be bikes. On the footpath, you guessed it, more bikes. You can’t escape it, so embrace it because you simply cannot do anything about so you better to just get used to it.
2. Crossing the road: The crazy streets leads to how to cross a road in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s quite dangerous to say the least. Unfortunately, the best answer I can give at this time is to proceed with caution and cross the road, the bikes will go around you. Hopefully. But whatever you do, don’t stop and continue to move forward at a slow walking pace.
3. The air out there: The pollution in the big city is appalling and a lot of the locals do wear a mask. If you find the air is becoming a hassle, I suggest you buy a mask for yourself, even if it feels a little weird. You won’t look out of place, that I can assure you.
4. Not an easy city to walk: Walking the streets of the city is not easy, and I am talking about when you are actually on the footpath. Not only are you avoiding motorbikes that are all over the place, but also food stalls that seem to set up wherever there is space. If you desire a power walk or a jog, there are plenty of riverside paths available or just head to district 7 where the atmosphere is a lot more upmarket and casual.
5. The sad state of some of the Rivers: The rivers need a lot of work, rubbish is everywhere and it simply looks awful. I can only hope that in the future that can all get sorted, because at the moment, it is in a sad state.

 

 

 

The good bits of when you Visit Vietnam

1. It’s an affordable country to travel: Vietnam is cheap, a good buffet can cost you about $15AUD. A bottle of beer can cost as low as 70c. Uber/Grab is the best way to get around the city and you can’t get ripped off as the price is already determined before you get in the car. Quite simply, Vietnam is an affordable country to travel to and you can visit attractions, buy cheap stuff in markets and go on Vietnam tours at a very reasonable price that is not afforded in a lot of other countries.
2. District 7: Ho Chi Minh City is a city that is fast developing and District 7 is the best proof of that scenario. Everything is modern, from its fantastic shopping malls to modern apartments and fine dining restaurants over the water. If you feel like you need a break from the mad rush, then head to District 7. It’s only a good half hour away from District 1 by Grab, depending on traffic of course.
3. The temples: Temples will pop up all over the place and often when you least expect to run into one. If you do catch up to one on a whim, go inside and have a look at the unique buildings. Make sure you show respect when you enter inside the temples.
4. How the city changes: To have a good walk or a drive in the car. It’s amazing how much a city changes from block to block during your travels in the city. You can go from an area of the city looking like a dump that has seen better days, to finding something new, modern and upmarket. Saigon is a city is full of surprises.
5. The Locals: They won’t change, so just get used to them and if you give it time and after a while you will learn to like them. Remember this country and the older generation have gone through some savage and rough times with the Vietnam War. So never mind their forceful ways, they don’t intend to be rude, it’s just the way it is. The Vietnamese people really are quite an admirable bunch of good, hard working, family orientated and honest folk. Oh, and one for the male readers out there, the local women are simply beautiful.

 

 

The Verdict of Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam was one unique destination that I have ever visited, and there was a lot I did like about the country and a few things I didn’t like, even if it was minimal. If someone were to ask me, would I go back to Vietnam? Well, my answer would be honest as usual. Yes, without hesitation. There is so much more of the country of gotta see, particularly the Northern part of the country.

Thanks Vietnam, you were great and I will be back again real soon.

 

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