Dalat is the largest city in the Central Highlands region in Vietnam and is the capital of Lâm Đồng Province. Dalat has a population of over 410,000 people. The city and area surrounding Dalat over the last decade have developed as a popular tourist destination and is one of Vietnam’s most visited cities. What are the things to do in Dalat Vietnam?
Dalat has a buzzing city vibe and is surrounded by beautiful scenery as well as luxurious villas in the mountains. In Dalat, you can enjoy hiking in the mountains, see the Elephant waterfalls, explore the local temples, go rock climbing, and more. You can also enjoy the local food at restaurants around the city or in the local market.
In this post, we will go through things to do in Dalat Vietnam. Let’s get started!
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Is Dalat Vietnam Worth Visiting?
Dalat is worth visiting for a few days if you are interested in hiking or exploring the local temples and admiring the waterfalls. And if you are interested in visiting the Crazy House or going canyoneering in the countryside.
Things To Do In Dalat Vietnam
Dalat is a popular city in the South Central Highlands of Vietnam. The city is blessed with beautiful scenery that surrounds the city as well as there is a good range of restaurants.
Here are some of the best things to do in Dalat Vietnam.
Linh Phuoc Pagoda
Linh Phuoc Pagoda is roughly about 8 km from the city center. It is also known as Ve Chai Pagoda. It was built in 1952, it is a 49-meter-long dragon temple made of 12,000 bottles and the dragon’s head is 7 meters high. The dragon’s mouth covers the Maitreya Buddha.
In front of the temple grounds is a 37 m high seven-story tower, which is considered the highest temple bell tower in Vietnam.
Visitors are invited to write their wishes on a small piece of paper, turn the bell to the current season, and stick the paper on the bell. After ringing the bell three times, the prayers are then sent to Buddha.
Ride The Cable Car
If you want to get an amazing view of the countryside and the hilltop, then the cable car offers this. By using the cable car, which soars over majestic pine forests it offers an opportunity for some awesome views.
Opening hours for the cable car are 7.30 to 11.30 am and 1.30 to 5 pm. You can expect to pay around for an adult return of 80,000 VND and for a child of 40,000 VND.
Visit Linh Quang Pagoda
Built-in 1931, this temple was the first pagoda in Dalat built by Thich Nhu Thu. The temple was restored three times in 1958, 1972, and 2000. The temple is flanked by enormous dragons and with an outdoor tableau featuring the young Buddha with a lotus flower.
In 1938, the temple was crowned by King Bao Dai and it had to be extensively restored after the American War.
Enjoy The 100 Roofs Café
From the outside, it looks like a normal café shop which is a bar. It looks like nothing special but after you purchase one alcoholic beverage, which acts as your entrance fee, you will be invited to explore the network of tunnels down below.
The 100 Roofs Café has an extensive maze of corridors decorated in bizarro, demented artwork that goes two floors below and ascends four floors upwards.
See Elephant Falls
The elephant’s fall is 30 km west of Dalat. This is named after a large rock that is supposed to resemble an elephant’s head. These curved falls are steep ascents along with uneven, very slippery stone steps.
You can also squeeze yourself through a cave to get behind the falls and be doused with bracing spray. The opening hours are between 7.30 am to 5 pm and expect to pay 20,000 VND. Plus the expense of getting there.
Enjoy Hang Nga Crazy House
The brainchild behind this is the owner Mrs. Dang Viet Nga. The crazy house is crazily designed, making it an outrageously artistic private home.
Imagine sculptured rooms connected by super-slim bridges rising out of a tangle of greenery, an excess of cascading lava-flow-like shapes, wild colors, spiderweb windows, and an almost organic quality to it all, with the swooping handrails resembling jungle vines.
Hang Nga started the Crazy House project to entice people back to nature and although it’s becoming more outlandish every year, she’s not likely to have any trouble with the authorities.
Opening hours are between 8.30 am to 7 pm from Monday to Friday. And expect to pay 50,000 VND.
Explore Bidoup Nui Ba National Park
This park is 50 km north of Dalat with most people visiting on tours. The Bidoup Nui Ba National Park was established in 2004 and is named after the two highest peaks of the Langbiang plateau. These are Bidoup which has a peak of 2,287 meters and Nui Ba which has a peak of 2,167 meters.
With a total area of 70,038 hectares, the park ranks as one of the five largest national parks in Vietnam. Plus the park has over 1,933 recorded species of vascular plants including 96 endemic and 62 rare species.
Opening hours are between 7.30 am to 5 pm and expect to pay 10,000 VND. Permits and a guide are needed and you’ll camp overnight.
Visit Dalat Cathedral
The Dalat Cathedral was built as a Catholic parish by the French in 1931 in Romanesque architecture. However, the interior was not completed until 1942. It replaced an old church in 1917 with modifications in the chancel. The chancel is the space around the altar.
Admire Dambri Waterfalls
Dambri Falls is one of the highest at 90 meters. With some magnificent and easily accessible waterfalls. For some incredible views, ride the vertical cable car or trudge up the steep path, to the top of the falls.
According to legend, a couple of Coho girls love each other and often date the waterfall. One day, the guy was gone without a trace. The girl waited forever but did not see her lover back. For days, the girl’s tears settled down and flowed into a large waterfall. The K’ho name is Dambri – meaning “Wait”.
The opening hours are between 7 am to 5 pm. And expect to pay 150,000 VND for adults and 100,000 VND for kids.
Visit The King’s Palace
Vietnam’s last emperor, Bao Dai. It was the main palace of Bao Dai and his family until they went into exile in France in 1954. The opening hours are between 7 am to 5 pm and expect to pay 30,000 VND for adults and 10,000 VND for children.
Other Activities To Do In Dalat
It has some beautiful mountain nature scenery. There are some interesting activities to do in Dalat such as.
- Canyoning – This will involve combining hiking, climbing, swimming, and/or abseiling.
- Mountain biking and trekking – Set off on foot or by bike to see the views of the city and the surrounding countryside.
- Rock climbing – Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran you can go rock climbing.
- Stroll around the lake – In the heart of Dalat lies a big old beautiful lake, complete with a walking path circling its entirety.
USEFUL TRAVEL RESOURCES
Book Accommodation
Booking.com has a large range of properties from hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and resorts where you will find the best deals. Airbnb and Hostelworld also have a good range of places to stay at good prices.
Booking Flight
Skyscanner is a flight search comparison website that searches millions of flights all at once. Ultimately it is the best flight comparison website online at the moment.
Booking Transportation & Things To Do
Rome2rio and 12Go are useful to plan how to get anywhere by searching train, bus, car, and ferry routes. Especially useful in countries like Vietnam or Thailand. While Klook is great for exploring things to do in each place.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is cheap and more than likely you will never need to use it but you will have peace of mind if something does happen, you are covered in case of an emergency. World Nomads have great customer service and competitive prices.
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use when you travel.
Wrapping Up
Finally, Dalat is a beautiful region of Vietnam, and would recommend that you take the time to visit Dalat. Dalat in South Vietnam is a great place to visit especially if you enjoy hiking and enjoy taking part in any activities such as climbing, swimming, and abseiling. You can also enjoy visiting the local temples, and visiting the crazy house, and the national park.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on things to do in Dalat Vietnam has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.