Dalat is my favorite city in Vietnam. The weather, the attractions, and the people are lovely in this little town. How much do I love this place? After I traveled all the way from Saigon to Hanoi, I was supposed to catch a flight to Cambodia, but I had a few extra days, so I decided to go back to Dalat again!

Escape the tropical hot weather and beach, now it’s time for some fresh mountain air and the fantastic mix of good food and adventure!

General

Location

4 hours bus ride from Nha Trang and 8 hours away from Ho Chi Minh City.

Currency

Vietnamese Dong (VND). You can get 20,000 VND to 22,000 VND from $1 USD.

Language

Vietnamese. Most of the hotels, restaurants, and attractions staff speak English.

ATMs

ATMs are easily accessible in the city.

Climate

The weather in Dalat is pleasantly warm during the day, but it can be cold at night. Due to the location and climate, you should expect rain at least once a day.

Get In and Out & Bus Timetable

By Plane

Dalat is served by Lien Khuong Airport (DLI), around 35 km from the city; there are only domestic flights to this airport. Getting to the town from the airport is easy. There is a shuttle bus service at the airport which will drop you off at your hotel for 40,000 VND.

If you prefer to take a private taxi, it would cost around 180,000 VND to 200,000 VND. You can purchase tickets for both bus and taxi in the terminal. Or simply ask your hotel to organize a pickup for you, which costs similar to a cab.

By Bus

This is the most popular way for backpackers and locals to get into Dalat. Futa bus (Phuong Trang) drops off at Dalat bus station and the ticket should include a shuttle service to the hotel. Some companies drop off in the city.

Check with your hostel if they will pick you up when you arrive. They know about the bus lines and timetables. Write down the directions to the hostel because the second you get out of the bus, taxi and easy riders will approach you.

Dalat Bus Station: 01, Tô Hiến Thành, Phường 3，Tel: +84-94-800-4756

The Sinh Tourist Office: For city tours and bus tickets，22 Bùi Thị Xuân，Tel: +84.63.3822663，Open: 06:30 – Close: 22:00

Futa (Phuong Trang) Office: For taxi and bus booking，11A/2 Lê Quý Đôn

Get Around

Walk

It’s mostly sunny and breezy in Dalat so it’s a pleasant way to explore this lovely city. But it’s located in the mountain area so maybe wear a pair of nice shoes!

Motorbike

Simply rent a motorbike from the hotel; it costs 120,000 VND for an automatic one. Make sure you wear a helmet to protect yourself!

Taxi

Use reputable taxis so they run on meters and have a price chart. Mai Linh (Green taxis) is a reliable choice.

Easy Rider

Easy rider is a great way to tick off the must-sees of Dalat. Choose to ride your own bike or let a professional rider drive you around. You can even go all the way to a different city and enjoy the scenic views on the road.

Price depends on where you go; discuss the details with the driver. A half-day trip cost me 300,000 VND.

Where to Stay

Cozy Nook Hostel

This is where I stayed both times. A young couple runs it, and they are sweet, helpful, and truly care about the guests.

It only has two dorm rooms, and each can accommodate 12 people. Toilet and shower are ensuite.

They offer group dinners, which they call “Family Dinner” every day for $3. I would recommend joining the dinner to get to know people, share travel stories, and make new friends!

Also, the bed is so comfy and soft that I sink into it and sleep like a baby.

Mr. Peace Backpacker’s House

This is a recommendation from others. Mr. Peace has a party vibe going on in the hostel, free beer, happy hour, and a rooftop bar right on the property.

Dalat Family

A lot of backpackers stay here. How do I know? Because I always see people wearing a t-shirt with “Dalat Family Hostel” walking around the city!

Located in the city center, so it’s easy to get around. They offer different activities for the night and have a big recreation area.

Where To Eat

Trong Dong

A small restaurant that serves Vietnamese food. The menu was creative, and the dishes were delicate. I had beef wrapped in leaves and chili squid; both were delightful.

Da Qua Cafe

Located on a quiet street, serves both Vietnamese and Western dishes. Food is delicious and cheap.

Dalat Night Market

Maybe don’t go to a diner for a night and check out the night market. There are tons of food, fresh fruit, clothing, and much more. It’s cheap and exciting to explore.

Long Hoa Family Restaurant

A family restaurant that provides tasty Vietnamese meals. I had lemongrass chicken, and it was fantastic and cheap. The staff wasn’t too hospitable; I didn’t feel welcomed.

Central Market (Cho Da Lat)

If you want to find local food, this is where you go. Recommended by hostel staff, it’s interesting to walk around the center and try some different Vietnamese cuisine.

Where to Drink & Nightlife

100 Roof Bar (Duong Len Trang) (Cafe Tram Mai)
This is a MUST GO in Dalat. I had to go through a 6-story giant maze to get to the rooftop. I wonder how drunk people get out. The experience was one of a kind.

Oh, and happy hour was cheap!

The Hangout Bar
This is a spot where all backpackers hang out. Looks a bit dodgy at first since it looks dusty from the outside and people sit on the street. Cheap beer, good music, chilled staff, and stream live sports.

Troung Cong Dinh
The main street of Dalat where you easily find a bar to drink!

What to See & Activities

Ride a Roller Coaster to Dantala Waterfall
Take an individual roller coaster, which you control the speed, down to the Dantala waterfall! This was a highlight of my trip. If you’re a hiker, it is an easy walk down the hill!

Explore the Waterfalls Outside of the City
There are plenty of waterfalls around. The closest one is Dantala; then there is Elephant (Thac Voi) and Pongour Falls. The further you go, the fewer tourists you will see. Pongour is 50km away from Dalat, and there was almost no one there. It was pleasant to walk down the hill and have the place all to myself!

Elephant Fall is strong, powerful, and magnificent. I was far away from the fall, and I could still feel the water splash on my face. I ventured all the way down to the fall; it wasn’t easy. The rocks are slippery, and balance isn’t my strong suit, plus I was wearing flip flops which were dangerous. So bring a waterproof jacket, wear nice shoes, and have fun!

I don’t recommend riding a motorbike to Pongour. It’s far from the city, and the road is in terrible condition. I took QL20 to go, which was the main street with plenty of trucks passing by all the time. They don’t care about the rules and my life. Don’t take the risk; it wasn’t worth it.

Canyoning

Canyoning is navigating your way through a canyon. The activity includes hiking, walking, swimming, water sliding, jumping, and abseiling. At first, I was screaming internally, “WHY DID I PAY TO DO THIS!!!!!!!!” Then I accepted the fact that there’s no way back, so I embraced the experience.

I signed up through my hostel; the tour has 3 guides for 9 people. They were hilarious, helpful, and professional. I was told to bring nothing, but I still brought water, sunglasses, phone, and camera which I had to leave in the car. The guide carried 6 big bottles of water and lunch.

You must join a tour to do it; it can easily be done in any hostel. Wear sneakers & swimsuit but not the best ones because it’s gonna get filthy, bring nothing, and apply sunscreen a lot.

Pick the tour wisely. As canyoning is getting more popular, there are agencies running tours without a government license, according to my hostel staff. Phat Tire Adventures and Pine Track are two of the most recommended options. I signed up with Highland Sport Travel and was happy with it.

Take a Cable to a Zen Monastery and Lake
The trip starts from Robin Hill; you can enjoy a 4km ride and see the city of flowers, then get off at Truc Lam Monastery and Tuyen Lake.

I hired an Easy Rider to take me to the cable car, he dropped me off at Robin Hill and told me to get a one-way ticket only. I then got on the car, flew through the sky, had a peaceful walk down the lake and saw my driver waiting by the lake. Awesome!

Explore the Crazy House
A building where all architecture rules don’t apply. The designer studied abroad then returned to Dalat to build this iconic attraction! Crazy House has hotel service inside so you can even stay there overnight!

An alternative, I would say don’t come here, save the admission fee, escape the crowd, spend the money on cheap beer, and have fun in 100 Roof Bar!

Taste the Local Dalat Wine
I am not sure how I feel about Dalat Wine, but let’s just say, I had a wild night. Give it a try!

Vang Dalat is the most well-known brand. It costs 80,000 VND.

Chill by Xuan Huong Lake and Read a Book
A banana-shaped manmade lake at the city center. Perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon! Buy a fresh coffee and enjoy the breeze by the lake!

More Activities to Try Someday

Pick Up Fresh Fruit From the Farm

Visit Bao Dai Summer Palace and Learn Vietnamese History

Trek on Lang Biang Mountain and Take Photos of Dalat City

Travel on an Ancient Train

Ring a bell and send wishes to Buddha at Linh Phuoc Pagoda