There are plenty of fantastic things to do in Da Lat, making it tricky to prioritise the best activities.
Da Lat is situated in the Lam Dong Province of Southern Vietnam. It’s roughly a 9-hour drive north of Ho Chi Minh / Saigon city and is an epic addition to any travel itinerary. Upon arrival in this city, you will notice a major influence from France. From pastries to architecture, this micro city offers a unique twist on the stereotype of Vietnam.
Continue reading for my advice on the best things to do with your time in Da Lat. You won’t want to miss this family-friendly and backpackers paradise.
Is Da Lat Worth Visiting?
I truly believe that Da Lat is one of the absolute must-see locations in Vietnam. Whether you are a solo backpacker, travelling as a couple or as a family, there are numerous activities for everyone to enjoy.
Spend some time in the city centre and make your way around the curvy streets of Da Lat. There is plenty to explore on foot, and you won’t want to miss out on anything!
Additionally, there are multiple road trips to visit the mountains. I highly recommend adding Da Lat to your Vietnam itinerary, it’s not a spot you want to miss!
How Many Days to Spend in Da Lat?
Depending on how many of the activities you would like to do, I would suggest putting aside at least three days to explore what this micro city has to offer. I spent four days there and thoroughly enjoyed it, however the activities could’ve been squeezed into three.
Nonetheless, if you enjoy a more leisurely holiday, try spending around four to five days enjoying this unique location.
How to Get Around Da Lat
In my opinion, the most convenient way to get around is by motorbike or scooter. They are extremely fuel efficient and the quickest way to get around to all the sights. Besides, they are usually cheap to hire and should set you back roughly 150,000VND for a day.
Otherwise, there are plenty of opportunities for Grab taxis and you can also hire a vehicle to get around.
10 Best Things to Do in Da Lat
- Dine at one of the many cafes
I believe the best way to start the day is with a tasty breakfast. And, you won’t be short on delicious food in this wonderful little city. The options for cafes, restaurants, bakeries, bars and so on is extensive and there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Not to mention, you’ll have no issue as a vegan or vegetarian in Da Lat, the options are aplenty!
Some of my favourite cafes or restaurants include:
-Blue Parrot Mexican Grill
-An Cafe (Fantastic croissants and smoothies)
-OM Chay Restaurant
-Biang Dalat Garden Restaurant
I am travelling as a vegetarian and found all of these locations to be extremely vegetarian and vegan friendly. Nonetheless, they are also wonderful for everyone to enjoy! Be sure to do some exploring and live your Vietnam foodie dreams!
Read more: Vegetarian Food in Vietnam: How to Eat Vegetarian in Vietnam
- Maze Bar
Maze Bar in Da Lat has to be one of the most random yet fun experiences I’ve had in a while. There is no entry fee to complete the maze, however, you must by at least one drink per person at the front bar.
The goal of the maze is to reach the rooftop garden area, where you will be greeted with stunning views over the city. You could easily rush through the maze and have it completed in 10 minutes, but I believe the experience is better if you do some exploring throughout the place and find all the hidden nooks and crannies.
Not to mention, it will throw you off a little bit more and make it more of a challenge! Bring a friend along with you or plan to meet some people here as it’s enjoyable to complete in small groups.
I would recommend setting aside 1-2 hours to enjoy this activity. Additionally, I think it’s best to buy a few drinks at the beginning so that you can enjoy them at the top. When I went, the rooftop bar area was closed which meant we had to go to the bottom if we wanted more drinks.
Address: Maze Bar, 57 Phan Bội Châu, Phường 1, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam
- Datanla Waterfall and Alpine Coaster
Enjoy a unique ride to a beautiful waterfall with the alpine coaster. Datanla waterfall is a tourist hotspot with plenty of locals and travellers visiting the location.
Avoid bringing too much stuff as you will need to hold onto everything on the alpine coaster. Nonetheless, it makes for an enjoyable experience riding through the forest to reach a stunning waterfall.
You will also have an opportunity to pick up a souvenir or two or try your hand at archery. There are also many spots to get the picture perfect shot! It might be a nice idea to bring a camera to take some fun photos.
Address: Datanla Waterfall, QL20 Đèo Prenn, Phường 3, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 66000, Vietnam
- High Ropes Course
If you’re game enough, or you just enjoy showing your adventures side, I’d recommend trying your hand at the high ropes course.
There will be times along the course where you find it nice and easy, and then you will soon be struggling to pull yourself through the rest of the course. Therefore, this course offers a variety of difficulties making it a fun experience for everyone!
Address: High Ropes Course, Phường 3, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lam Dong, Vietnam
- Pongour Falls
Pongour Falls is easily one of the best things to do in Da Lat and was one of my favourite experiences. However, you will need to travel just over an hour from the Da Lat city centre to reach this location. Nonetheless, I strongly believe that it’s worth the effort and a beautiful experience.
You will get the chance to be up close with the waterfall and have some fun climbing around the rocks. Don’t forget to check out the tadpoles, dragonflies and pondskaters in the water.
Not to mention, this is an awesome opportunity for photographers, as the waterfall is quite spectacular!
I would recommend taking some lunch or snacks with you as there aren’t many food options around.
Address: Pongour Falls, Thôn Tân Nghĩa, Đức Trọng District, Lam Dong, Vietnam
- Da Lat Night Market
The night market is one of those must-visit experiences. Spend some time wandering the streets and pick up some new goods to enjoy. I would recommend trying some of the street food as there is plenty on offer.
And, check out some of the souvenier stalls. There are many talented locals making some awesome handicrafts that would make for excellent gifts to take home!
There is no entry fee to the night market and I would recommend spending around 1-2 hours here exploring the streets.
Address: 6b Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Phường 1, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng 690000, Vietnam
- Bao Dai Palace
Dive into the history of Vietnam and explore the home of Vietnams’ last emperor. I recommend spending an hour here wandering the gardens and rooms. There are plenty of English translations so that you can read about the history of the home and the significance it had on life in Vietnam
Address: Bao Dai Palace, Trần Quang Diệu, Phường 10, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam
- Linh Phuoc Pagoda
No trip to Vietnam would be complete without exploring at least a handful of buddhist temples. Head to the Linh Phuoc Pagoda to explore the stunning structure created between 1949 and 1952.
Get lost in the mosaic art and spend some time dissecting the beauty of this creation. You’re bound to feel a wave of holy energy upon arrival of this location!
Address: Linh Phuoc Pagoda Trai Mat, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lam Dong, Vietnam
- Vườn Hoa Cẩm Tú Cầu
If you love flowers, then this is the spot for you! Make your way to this stunning arboretum to enjoy the magnificent display of hydrangeas. There are multiple walkways and platforms for the ultimate perspective over the beautiful gardens.
Not to mention, this is an ideal location for that picture perfect shot! So, don’t forget a camera as you won’t want to miss out on taking some snaps!
Address: Vườn Hoa Cẩm Tú Cầu, Cam Ly, Phường 7, Thành phố Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam
- Clay Tunnels
If you love art, you will thoroughly enjoy the clay tunnels! You will want to spend an hour or two wandering the paths and exploring the unique art displays.
Besides, there are some pretty cool art pieces to take some photos. So, bring a camera along as you might find something you want to remember!
Moreover, this location is child-friendly as they will love viewing the huge scultpures and art pieces.
Address: Clay Tunnels, Phường 4, Dalat, Lam Dong 66000, Vietnam
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, Da Lat is a fantastic city in Vietnam, and there are tonnes of things to do. I really enjoyed my time in Da Lat as it offers a laid back city vibe, yet there are loads of activities and points of interest.
If you are still considering whether you should visit this location, I recommend taking the chance! You will be floored over the beauty of this place! It has the perfect mix of nature and city, a truly beautiful place!
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