To do and see around Dalat
Visit the beautiful lakes surrounding Dalat. Be impressed by one of the many waterfalls. Climb the mountains and enjoy the view over the valleys. Have a look on a flower farm, coffee plantation or silk factory. Or visit a minority village.
Bopla Waterfall
This waterfall is located about 8 km from Dalat and 25 km from Bao Loc commune and is also known as “Ivory waterfall”. The waterfall lies between two hills which are shaped like kneeling elephants, a bit like a grotto with the surrounding landscape and houses. Under the waterfall lies a small lake surrounded by big rocks. ↑ Top
Coffee Plantation
The climate of Dalat is very suitable for growing coffee and tea shrubs, as in the whole Central Highlands region. When the coffee bushes blossom you see beautiful flowers everywhere and it smells wonderful. Everywhere you see coffee bushes and coffee beans drying on the ground. ↑ Top
Datanla Waterfall
This waterfall is about 5 km from the city and on the way to Prenn waterfall. According to a legend of the minorities, Datanla was the place where the brave man K’Lang and the mountainous lady Ho Biang met each other. Here the man had a fight with fierce wild animals including snakes, seven wolves and two foxes. During this fight trees fell down making deep holes and a canyon at the bottom of the waterfall. Datanla became the meeting place of two lovers. ↑ Top
Dambri Waterfall
This waterfall is located 18 km from the centre of Bao Loc. The area surrounding the waterfall is covered by tea and coffee bushes and mulberry trees. It is one of the highest waterfalls in Vietnam. ↑ Top
Elephant Waterfall
This waterfall is located near the road linking Dalat with Buôn Ma Thuột. In the distance you can hear thunderous down flowing and witness the waterfall throw up massive white foam below imposing Nam Ban Pagoda. However, only once having climbed down the cliffs to the foot of the waterfall can you feel the grandiosity of this 30 metres high waterfall. Mysterious caves hide themselves behind dangerous cliffs and countless lianas hang from huge trees. The name comes from alkalic rock in strange figures which seen trough a curtain of mist, look like a herd of elephant having a wash in the current. ↑ Top
Flower Farm
Dalat is the city of flowers. At a local flower farm you can see how flowers are grown here and admire Dalat’s roses and gerberas. ↑ Top
Golden Stream Lake
This lake actually consists of two small lakes: Dankia and Ankroet, and was formed by two barrages holding back the Đa Dung River originating on the Lang Bian Plateau. The Ankroet waterfall was chosen by Governor General Decoux as the location where the first hydroelectricity station would be constructed in 1942. Its capacity is 20 million cubic metress of water, besides supplying pure water for the city, it operates generators of the hydroelectricity station of Ankroet with 15 million kilowatt-hours power per year. ↑ Top
Golden Valley
Nestled about 10km from the center of Dalat, Golden Valley – the city of endless pine forests and flowers in mists – leaves tourists with a breath-taking first impression of a picturesque landscape with fresh air, pine trees, brilliant flowers and murmuring brooks. The 10ha tourist site is hugged by 170ha of sloping pine trees and green grass hills. Strolling on the hill, tourists can hear the sound of pine leaves chanting in the wind and indulge in the colorful flowers on the path to the hill as well as in souvenir shops. Golden Valley features a harmony of natural and man-made beauty. Under the shade of pine trees and green grass is a rock garden with several types of precious stones, such as chalcedony and agate, in different shapes from simple to meticulous, carved by nature and the hands of artisans. Large rocks lie along the sloping path to an artificial waterfall mysteriously named Thai Cuc Area, Luong Nghi Lake. Here, tourists can forget the sorrows and worries of daily life as they lie on the soft grass slopes of the hills under the pine trees and contemplate the blue sky. Lost in the immense ever-green pine forests are not only typical highlands plants, such as peach blossom in spring, cherry, yellow mimosa in sparkling silver leaves, red pine and p’mu, but also maple trees from Canada. Golden Valley is a valley of pine trees, flowers, rocks, lakes and waterfalls. Orchards and flower gardens bloom with life while man-made streams, lakes and waterfalls create the tranquil harmony of an Asian philosophy of balance with the surrounding landscape. After touring the park, tourists can stroll along the hill slope to Dankia-Suoi Vang Water Plant, which is near the park, to sense the tranquility of the central highlands at the immense blue lake in the shade of pine trees and peaceful winds. Here, tourists can enjoy a party after catching fish in the lake.
Gougah Falls
This waterfall is commonly called O Gad (pot-hole). The waterfall is located 38 km from the heart of the Dalat and is about 20 metres high. ↑ Top
Lake of Sorrow or Lake of Sighs
This lake is 5 km northeast of town on Ho Xuan Huong road. Previously Than Tho lake was only a pond called Tono Pang. In 1917, the French built dam reservoirs provide water for the city and the lake became larger. The French named the lake is Lac des Soupirs, but when it was translated into Vietnamese the name changed.
There is also a legend about how the lake got its name, there are various versions that differ slightly. One version is about a couple during the war between Vietnam and China and who lived in this area. They loved each other very much and often met by the lake to enjoy the tranquil setting of this area. At about the time when they spoke of building a future together, Vietnam was in the state of war with foreign invaders from the north. There was a general call for young men to take arms. The young man, Hoang Tung, being extremely patriotic, decided to join the army of king Quang Trung Nguyen Hue to help defend Vietnam. The young couple decided to meet by the lake to say their goodbye before Hoang Tung would leave with his garrison for the north. His betrothed Mai Nuong, being equally patriotic, decided not to be a burden in his mind, so he would not be able to perform his duties. Therefore she committed suicide by drowning in the lake. When the time came for the two to meet, Hoang Tung found that she has passed away. The people in this region heard of the young couple’s story and decided to rename the lake Ho Than Tho or Lake of Sorrow. Another version claims that Hoang Tung did not show up at the appointed time and Mai Nuong was heartbroken. She spent many days by the lake waiting for him. In the end, Mai Nuong committed suicide by jumping into the lake. ↑ Top
Lang Bian Mountain
Dalat’s highest peak is Lang Bian Mountain and is located 12 km from the center of Dalat. Legend has it that there once was a couple who was deeply in love with each other. The boy was named K’lang and the girl Ho Biang and belonged to different tribes. However, there was a feud between the two tribes so they were not allowed to get married. At last, they overcame all the prejudice and got married and moved onto a mountain to live. Then Ho Biang fell ill and K’lang tried in vain to save her. So he came back to the tribe to ask for help but the people shot him with a poisonous arrow. However, it was Ho Biang who was shot since she had shielded her husband. K’lang could not suffer such loss. He cried and his tear formed a big stream which is now called Dankia (the Golden Stream). After their death, Ho Biang’s father was regretted all so he unified the tribes into one called K’Ho. Since then, boys and girls in K’Ho group are allowed to get married to each other. The mountain in La Ngu Thuong Village where the couple died is named Lang Biang in their memory.
The views from the peak are unspoiled and worth the effort. The Lat or Chicken village, where the K’Ho people live, is located at its base. ↑ Top
Lat or Chicken Village
The ethnic minority K’Ho live in a village at the foot of Lang Bian mountain. They make beautiful woven cloth, which you can buy in the village. The chief of the village will introduce you to the music instruments and wine drinking of this minority. The village is home to about 600 people of the K’Ho minority, who were enticed down from the hills and have, to a certain extent, been Vietnamised. Most of the locals no longer live in stilt houses and they wear Vietnamese-style clothing. The chicken was an elaborate decorative device for a long-dysfunctional water system, which used to crow as the water was pumped. The symbol of the chicken probably relates to yet another local legend involving its doomed romance ending in a dead heroine. ↑ Top
Linh Phuoc Pagoda
This pagoda is located about 8 km from the centre and was constructed from 1949 to 1952. In 1990, it was restored and a three-arched entrance gate was built so guests could easily find it as the temple was deep in the alley. It was called the “bottles temples” because there is a dragon of 49 metres and its fin is covered with fragments of fifty thousand bottles of beer. The main hall is 33 metres long and 22 metres wide. “Tien Dan Bao Thap”is 27 metres high and carved into a dragon shape. On the first floor there are 108 statues. Along the main hall are two rows of dragon columns similar to the style tomb of the Nguyen kings. In front of the pagoda there is “Long Hoa Vien”with a seven storey Linh tower. With 36 metres in height it is the highest tower in Dalat now. There is a great bell (1999) which is considered the largest bell in Vietnam: it is 4.3 metres high, has a diametres of 2.3 metres and weighs 8.5 tons. ↑ Top
Prenn Waterfall
At the foot of Prenn Pass, about 10 km outside town you find the waterfall. According to the language of Cham people, Prenn means “the land of invasion”. Travelling from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat, you pass through Prenn Pass which is 10 kilometress long. The waterfall looks like a water-curtain pouring from 10 metress high down to a small valley which is surrounded by lots of flowers and pine hill.
Prenn was the border after these fights (from Prenn to Don Duong, Phan Rang it was the land of the K’Ho and the Ma). The waterfall is 8m high, it falls from the high rock above. So, if you stand at the bottom of the waterfall and look up, it is like the waterfall down from the sky and Saigon people call it Tien Sa (rain drops from the sky). ↑ Top
Pongour Waterfall
This is one of the largest and widest waterfalls in Vietnam, height is like a 14-storey building ant its width is more than twice the length of a football field. During the wet season it s a magnificent sight, although a dam built nearby has reduced the water flow recently. According to the local language, Pongour means Rhinoceros horns, so the name meaning “huge”is with the breath of thousands of red-earth highlands. According to legend, the waterfall was attached to Ka Nai’s story a beautiful chief. She had great contribution to K’Ho’s life. ↑ Top
Rice Wine Distillery
Here you will see how wine, which actually is stronger than wine, is made from rice and you can try some. ↑ Top
Silkworm Factory
In Vietnam you can find silk products. Near Dalat there are silk factories where you you will see baskets full of cocooned silk worms and the machines that used to make the final product: silk cloth. ↑ Top
Truc Lam Pagoda
The pagoda is located outside the centre on Phuong Hoang Hill. Along the road winding up the hill to the pagoda, the bell tower is clearly visible from afar. The tiled roof of the pagoda is also prominent, contrasting against the pine forests that surround it. The entrance is somewhat isolated, so there is a direct entrance with 61 steps or climbing or you can go directly past Tuyen Lam Lake and then climb 222 steps past the triple gated entrance to enter the main courtyard in front of the temple. The public quarters are in a spacious plateau area on the grounds of the temple, at approximately 1.300 metres above sea level, overlooking Benhuit mountain and the wide expanse of Tuyền Lâm Lake. The public quarters were opened in March 1994 and consist of a ceremonial hall, flanked by the bell tower on the right and guest facilities on the left. At the front of the guest facilities is a rose garden, and at the front slopes in front of the gate is an artificial lake with a capacity of 15,000 cubic metres. The statue in the main ceremonial hall is of Gautama Buddha seated on a lotus, flanked on either side by Văn Thù Sư Lợi and Phổ Hiền bodhisattvas, respectively known for their wisdom and dedication. One of the objectives of the temple was to recreate the spirit of Zen Buddhism during the Trần Dynasty that ruled Vietnam form 1225 to 1400. The tradition practiced here was started by Emperor Trần Nhân Tông, who abdicated the throne in favour of his son Trần Anh Tông to become a Buddhist monk and founded a new tradition in Zen. He had incorporated the three sects of Zen that had come to Vietnam from China, the Tỳ-ni-đa-lưu-chi, Vô Ngôn Thông and Thảo Đường into a new Vietnamese Zen tradition, known as Trúc Lâm. This came after he had led royal troops in defeating Nguyên Mông before retreating to Yên Tử mountain to begin his religious life before travelling around the country to expound the dharma. ↑ Top
Tuyen Lam Lake
This natural lake is located 5 km south of town on highway 20. Its clean green waters flow from the beautiful Tia Spring and from the Da Tam River, which flows down from Voi mountain. Its waters stretch over an immense 350 hectares and because of its various sources, it is known as the lake where rivers, springs and forests meet. The lake was built in the 80s. It is one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in town. The other side of the lake is Voi mountain which is a good place for hiking. The sounds from the forest resemble the sighing of an invisible man. The lake has been surrounded by many stories and legends with sorrowful endings in which the heroine drowns in the lake to keep her true love forever. ↑ Top
Valley of Love
The valley is about 5 km out of town and is very popular with honeymooners. Its former name is Valley of Peace but in 1972 with the creation of lake Da Thien, its name was changed. The lake is surrounded by hilly slopes with pine trees. The shore is wide, offering a large area to stretch out and picnic. ↑ Top
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