Dalat Vacations, Vietnam

Dalat, also Da Lat, located in the South Central Highlands of Vietnam, was originally the playground of the French who built villas in the clear mountain air to escape the heat and humidity of the coast and of Saigon, now know as Ho Chi Minh City.

Dalat's high altitude (1500-2000 m) and fertile landscape make it one of Vietnam's premier agricultural areas. In fact, in markets as far north as Hanoi, vegetable and flower vendors will tout their "made in Dalat" produce.

Most guidebooks describe Dalat as a cheesy town popular only as a local honeymoon destination with tacky sites. The good news about that description is that the town is not over-run with tourists like some other cities in Vietnam. The bad news is that the description is not entirely untrue. There are tacky sites in Dalat where local honeymooners go to get their pictures taken by photographers, but Dalat is surrounded by some of the best mountain biking, hiking and canyoning opportunities in Vietnam.

More information on Dalat travel at Wikitravel.org

Things To do and See in Dalat

Dalat Palace Golf Club, Dalat
In 1994 this historic golf course was meticulously revitalized and

enhanced; it was also upgraded from nine to eighteen holes.
Attraction type: Golf course

Valley of Love (Thung Lung Tinh Yeu), Dalat
This quirky neighborhood’s funky shops, whimsical attractions and

eccentric locals make it a must-see; don't forget the camera.
Attraction type: Valley

Xuan Huong Lake, Dalat
Attraction type: Lake

Lam Ty Ni Pagoda, Dalat
Eccentric Zen artist and poet Thay Vien Thuc is the main attraction at

this popular pagoda; part monk and part sideshow, he creates personal

on-the-spot paintings for any visitor willing to pay.
Attraction type: Art gallery; Religious site

Bao Dai's Palace, Dalat
Preserved almost intact, this is the most popular of the three

Bao Dai palaces in town; Bao Dai was ousted by Ho Chi Minh in 1945.
Attraction type: Historic home