Da Lat

Things to see and do

Within Da Lat

In the words of one local restaurateur, Da Lat's tourist sites are more 'distraction' than 'attraction'. The best way to orientate yourself for a solid day of distraction is by using Xuan Huong lake. The lake's circumference is 7 km and all or part of it makes for good walking. The Flower ... read more
Outside Da Lat

Take the road heading out of Da Lat south towards Ho Chi Minh City and within a few kilometres you'll come across the turning for Tuyen Lam lake. The most scenic lake in the area has 'putt putt' boats which take you to the far shore, where it's possible to ride elephants and visit the Nam Qua area, ... read more
The Easy Riders

The Easy Riders started around a decade ago with a group of unemployed local men, most having served in the South Vietnamese Army. Ferrying tourists from A to B was all they took on at that point, and most had old motorbikes such as Minsks and Simpsons (today the Honda Bonus or Win is more ... read more
Travel agencies

If the Easy Riders are not your thing, another way to visit the attractions of Da Lat is via one of the many travel agencies, which offer day tours to a combination of sites. For example, a tour with Hanh Cafe featuring an itinerary of Pongour Falls, Truc Lam Pagoda and Tuyen Lam Lake, Chicken ... read more
Good drives

Mountain passes make for an exhilarating motorbike ride whether done independently or with a chauffeur. Take a drive along Tran Hung Dao St in the southeast of the city to see old French villas hidden away in the woods, and continue along Huong Vuong St for spectacular views of Da Lat's vegetable ... read more
Outdoor activities

Da Lat is slowly but surely gaining a reputation as being Vietnam's outdoor activity centre, with a number of places running all kinds of trips in the surrounding Highlands -- the perfect location for hill-trekking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing and canyoning. Typically a ... read more
Volunteering in Da Lat

The local English Language Centre has started a program encouraging tourists to drop by and help out in a lesson -- the teacher will instruct you on what to do. English is a vital part of education and the kids rarely have a chance to speak to foreigners.