Da Lat—also written Dalat—rose from a French hill station in the early 1900s to become Vietnam’s favorite escape: cool air, pine forests, and lakes that catch the morning mist. Nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring,” it’s beloved for strawberries, hydrangeas, and an ever-growing coffee culture fueled by nearby K’Ho and Arabica farms.

Beyond the romance, Da Lat is an adventure hub. You can zip an alpine coaster beside Datanla Waterfall, rappel through canyons, or summit Lang Biang for views across the Central Highlands. Art and architecture shine too—from the art deco railway station to the surreal, Gaudí-like Crazy House.

Practical notes: The city sits at ~1,500 m, so pack a light jacket for evenings. Use taxis or Grab, or rent a motorbike if you’re comfortable with mountain roads. Fly into Lien Khuong (DLI) from major Vietnamese cities; buses connect Da Lat with Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Da Lat

Da Lat’s compact center wraps around Xuan Huong Lake, with boulevards that still hint at its French-era past. Markets brim with fresh produce, while hidden lanes lead to acoustic cafes and roasteries. This is a place to slow down, breathe, and let each day unfurl with a different mood—hike, paddle, taste, then linger over coffee as the light fades.

• Top sights: Tuyen Lam Lake, Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Datanla Waterfall coaster, Elephant Waterfall & Linh An Pagoda, Linh Phuoc Pagoda (Trai Mat), Lang Biang Peak, Bao Dai Summer Palace, Da Lat Railway Station, Crazy House.
• Food & drink highlights: Bánh mì xíu mại (meatball baguette), bánh căn (griddled rice cakes), nem nướng (grilled pork rolls), lẩu gà lá é (peppery basil chicken hotpot), tile-grilled beef, and third-wave coffee.
• Fun fact: Da Lat is one of Vietnam’s few regions producing quality Arabica—tours and tastings at local roasteries and farms are a must.

Where to stay (search and compare): Browse apartments, villas, and cabins on VRBO Da Lat or hotels and resorts on Hotels.com Da Lat. For classic ambiance, look near Xuan Huong Lake and the old French quarter; for nature-forward stays, consider Tuyen Lam Lake resorts.

Getting there: Fly into Da Lat’s Lien Khuong Airport (DLI) from Ho Chi Minh City (~50 minutes) or Hanoi (~1h50m). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. If you’re pairing Da Lat with Nha Trang or Saigon by rail and road, check Vietnam train options to Nha Trang on Trip.com Trains, then continue by bus or car.

Day 1: Arrival, Xuan Huong Lake Stroll, Night Market Bites

Morning: Fly to Da Lat (DLI). From the airport, it’s ~30–45 minutes by taxi or shuttle to the city center. Drop your bags and ease into the highland breeze.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs with an easy loop around Xuan Huong Lake. Pop into the Da Lat Flower Garden if you want a quick dose of blooms and hydrangeas. Coffee stop: La Viet Coffee (roastery vibe, pour-overs and robusta/arabica flights) or Bicycle Up Coffee (cozy, vintage decor).

Evening: Dinner on day one calls for comfort: Lẩu gà lá é Tao Ngộ for chicken hotpot with peppery basil (lá é), perfect for cool nights. Wander the Da Lat Night Market for street snacks—try bánh tráng nướng (Da Lat’s “pizza”) at popular grills around the market and a cup of hot soy milk.

Day 2: Railway Station, Linh Phuoc Pagoda, Crazy House, Palaces

Morning: Visit the art deco Da Lat Railway Station, then ride the short heritage train to Trai Mat (about 30 minutes) to see the mosaic-clad Linh Phuoc Pagoda. Return by train or taxi. Breakfast picks: Bánh Mì Xíu Mại Hoàng Diệu (classic meatball baguette) or Bánh Căn Nhà Chung (rice cakes with quail eggs and scallion oil).

Afternoon: Explore the whimsical Crazy House (Hang Nga)—a fantastical labyrinth of dreamlike stairways and viewpoints. Then step into history at Bao Dai Summer Palace (Palace III), preserved with 1930s furnishings and photographs. Coffee break at The Married Beans for a guided tasting of local arabica.

Evening: Dinner at Le Chalet Dalat (French-Vietnamese plates; order the duck confit or claypot fish). For music and nostalgia, find a seat at Café Tùng (a Da Lat institution since the 1950s) or an acoustic bar near Hoa Binh area.

Day 3: Tuyen Lam Lake, Truc Lam Zen, Datanla Waterfall Coaster

Morning: Ride the cable car from Robin Hill to Truc Lam Zen Monastery for pine-framed lake views. Walk the monastery gardens, then descend to Tuyen Lam Lake for a paddle or boat cruise.

Afternoon: Lakeside lunch at Pini Coffee or Still Café (a photogenic compound with nostalgic decor). Then head to Datanla Waterfall for the alpine coaster—opt for the longer new track if you crave speed. The falls also offer zip-lines and abseiling run by licensed operators.

Evening: Warm up with Lẩu bò Ba Toa (Quán Gỗ), a rustic beef hotpot spot set in a former lumber warehouse. Nightcap at The Fog Bar (cocktails, friendly crowd) or a low-key craft coffee at Brew & Breakfast if you prefer mellow.

Day 4: Elephant Waterfall, Linh An Pagoda, Coffee Farm Views

Morning: Day-trip 30 km southwest to the thunderous Elephant Waterfall (stairs can be slippery—wear grippy shoes). Next door, visit Linh An Pagoda and its towering Lady Buddha statue gazing over coffee hills.

Afternoon: Continue to a coffee viewpoint such as Mê Linh Coffee Garden for sweeping plantation vistas and brews; or book a farm-to-cup session with K’Ho Coffee to learn about local arabica, processing, and tribal heritage (reserve ahead). Lunch at the viewpoint café—try a Vietnamese drip paired with cocoa nibs.

Evening: Back in town, go tile-grilled at Cừ Đức (Bò nướng ngói), where beef sizzles on a clay tile at your table—pair with rice paper, herbs, and dipping sauces. Dessert: avocado ice cream at a local chè shop.

Day 5: Lang Biang Hike and Highland Flavors

Morning: Tackle Lang Biang (2,167 m). Fit hikers can do the ~2–3 hour ascent via pine trails; families can opt for a jeep ride to Radar Hill for big views. Bring a windbreaker and water—mornings are clearest.

Afternoon: Post-hike lunch at Góc Hà Thành (northern Vietnamese dishes; try their bún chả) or Biang Bistro for modern Vietnamese plates. Treat yourself to a slow coffee at Tiệm Cà Phê Túi Mơ To—sunny greenhouse vibes and great photo spots.

Evening: Book dinner at Émai (house-made pasta, garden setting; also excellent tiramisu) or Le Rabelais at the Dalat Palace for a refined, old-world evening. If you like live music, look for an acoustic café—performances usually start around 8–9 pm.

Day 6: Canyoning Adventure and Market Grazing

Morning: Sign up for a licensed canyoning tour (pick-up ~8 am). Expect abseils beside waterfalls, natural slides, and swimming. Typical tours run 6–7 hours and include lunch, guides, and gear; budget ~US$70–90. Confirm insurance coverage and guide-to-guest ratios.

Afternoon: Return to town, rest up, then stroll Da Lat Market for produce and edible souvenirs—artichoke tea, dried persimmons, and local coffee beans.

Evening: Street-food crawl: Nem nướng Bà Hùng (grilled pork rolls with rice paper and herbs), then chè (sweet soups) or hot soy milk. If you’d like a dance floor, check Rain Club; otherwise find a quiet corner at Still Café or a lakeside tea house.

Day 7: Tea Hills, Strawberries, and Farewell

Morning: Sunrise drive to Cầu Đất Tea Hill (about 45–60 minutes) for rolling green rows and cool air. On the return, stop for strawberry picking at a reputable farm (seasonal; winter–spring is best). Early lunch back in town at Quán Xưa (homey Vietnamese classics) or a quick bowl of mì Quảng at Quán Xuân An.

Afternoon: Airport transfer for your flight. If time allows, one last espresso at La Viet Coffee to toast a week in the highlands.

Evening: Fly onward from DLI. Compare options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Practical Tips

• When to go: Year-round is pleasant; Dec–Mar is driest with crisp evenings and strawberry season. Bring layers and rain protection outside dry season.
• Getting around: Grab/taxis are easy. Scooter rentals run ~150,000–200,000 VND/day—carry an international license and ride cautiously on mountain roads.
• Estimated costs: Cable car (round-trip) ~160,000–180,000 VND; Datanla coaster ~170,000–250,000 VND; Lang Biang entrance ~50,000 VND; jeep to Radar Hill ~150,000–200,000 VND per person.
• Day tours: Book canyoning and waterfall loops with licensed operators; confirm safety standards, insurance, and equipment.
• Stay suggestions: Heritage: Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel. Villa-style: Ana Mandara Villas Dalat. By the lake: Terracotta Hotel & Resort (Tuyen Lam). City-convenient: Colline Hotel or Hôtel Colline adjacent to the market. Search availability on Hotels.com Da Lat or VRBO Da Lat.

With lakeside mornings, waterfall thrills, and coffee farm sunsets, this Da Lat itinerary balances adventure and quiet moments. Expect cool air, warm bowls of hotpot, and a new appreciation for Vietnam’s highlands—one hill, one cup, one view at a time.