7 UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN DA LAT

If there is one thing for which Vietnam is known worldwide, it is its coffee, of which this country is one of the major exporters in the world. So during my trip across Vietnam, I got very curious about finding out more about its coffee culture, and why not start from Da Lat.

Tucked away in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, Da Lat is a city that feels like stepping into a different world. The moment you arrive, the cooler mountain air hits you, a refreshing contrast to Vietnam’s usual tropical heat. With pine forests, dreamy French colonial villas, hidden waterfalls, endless flower gardens, and of course, the many farms that produce the finest quality coffee. Da Lat is the kind of place that slows you down—in the best way possible.

For adventurous souls and slow travelers, this city offers a different rhythm: misty mornings, quiet lakes, and an unexpected European charm. Whether you're a photographer, a nature lover, or someone just looking for a unique spot away from the usual tourist trails, Da Lat delivers. And after the tropical heat of Phu Quoc, it seemed like a great solution to me.

If the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Vietnam is heat and tropical weather, here in Da Lat, forget everything that you thought you knew about Vietnam. Its climate is greatly affected by the altitude, with a typically alpine climate where temperatures vary from 10° to 19° C depending on the period in which you visit. So leave behind flip-flops and shorts and bring yourself a lot of layers instead.

Da Lat is easily reachable from major cities by plane or bus. In my case, I took a plane from Phu Quoc Island to reach the Vietnamese mainland.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN DA LAT

CRAZY HOUSE

Also known as Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery, but more commonly referred to as Crazy House, the name is a guarantee of what to expect. It is a building that boasts a truly unique and unusual architecture. It is definitely worth visiting just for its originality, and it's even possible to stay and sleep in it. The design is heavily influenced by Gaudì's work and seems like it came out of a Tim Burton movie set. Lose yourself among its little bridges and maze of stairs to discover the surreal, and why not, maybe even get inspired!

DATANLA WATERFALLS

Da Lat has several magnificent waterfalls to visit, these are perhaps the most crowded as they are the closest to the city center, also if there is one thing that the Vietnamese are really good at that I have noticed, it is how they manage to make everything a tourist attraction and these waterfalls are no exception, in fact the entire area has been used as a sort of themepark. The atmosphere around the waterfall reminds me a bit of a fairytale village in northern Italy; it almost seems to have come out of a Grimm Brothers fairy tale. In addition to visiting the waterfall, you can choose one of the many activities in the park, such as the cable car, zipline, alpine roller coaster, or the suspended obstacle course. Da Lat, offers many more amazing and beautiful waterfalls to check, unfortunatly, I hadn’t had the chance to see them all, but if you do, I higly suggest checking this tour here.

TUYEN LAM LAKE

Just a few minutes from the Datanla waterfalls is one of the most iconic spots in the city. Many come here to take pictures with the backdrop of this placid lake or to enjoy a coffee on its shores. And if you want another perspective on this view, think about renting a boat.

LINH SON PAGODA

It is the most famous Buddhist temple or pagoda in Da Lat. It is a fairly small complex that can be easily visited in a few minutes. It is not the most magnificent or large pagoda that you will see, but I think it is worth seeing, even just for the peaceful and relaxed atmosphere that you can experience in its gardens.

CLAY TUNNELS

If you thought that Crazy House was the only crazy attraction in Dalat, think again. The clay tunnels are a very popular place, especially among Asian tourists. It is basically like an outdoor theme park covered in all kinds of clay sculptures.

DA LAT NIGHT MARKET

If there is one thing that I love when traveling and that I never miss, especially in Asia, it's visiting the markets. I think they are one of the best ways to get a glimpse of the local culture and lives, and try some delicious street food.

The Da Lat night market is open every night from 5 to 10 pm ish, easily reachable even on foot as it is located right in the heart of the city. As soon as the evening falls this market fills up with people and stalls selling a bit of everything, from clothes to colorful and fresh fruit and vegetables to different street food among the most famous are roasted sweet potatoes, strawberries served with sugar or more commonly served with salt and chili, for a sweet and sour taste, not really my favourites and not a winning combination for more western palates, or among my favorites, the Vietnamese "pizza"; it is a rice paper sheet base topped with different ingredients.

FLOWER FESTIVAL

One of the things Da Lat is most famous for is its flowers, and if you are lucky enough to find yourself visiting Da Lat during the Flower Festival, you will have the chance to see the city come to life in a completely different way. During my visit to Da Lat, I only found out about its existence thanks to a conversation with my Grab driver, where it came out that the time of my visit coincided with this festival. It's a biennial festival, usually held in December, and during this time, the city transforms into an open-air floral museum. Entire streets are decorated with elaborate flower installations, local artisans showcase their botanical creations, and there’s live music, parades, and cultural performances everywhere you turn.

What makes it even more special is that these aren’t just any flowers—many are grown locally in the surrounding greenhouses and gardens. Da Lat has a reputation for being Vietnam’s floral capital, and during the festival, it shows off.

My tip? Don’t skip the Lam Vien Square, where some of the most Instagram-worthy installations are usually found.

DON'T MISS OUT WHEN IN DA LAT

CLOUD HUNTING & GLAMPING IN DA LAT

One of the most magical things you can do in Da Lat is go cloud hunting—yes, that’s a real thing here. Thanks to the city's elevation and early morning fog, certain spots around Da Lat offer surreal views where the clouds roll like waves over the mountains and pine forests. It is truly a unique and magical view. There are those who decide to wake up before sunrise, hop on a motorbike, and head to viewpoints to catch this natural phenomenon, or simply rely on a tour at sunrise to go cloud hunting, like this one here. Personally, I decided to go glamping in Da Lat, which combines the best of camping and comfort.

For my glamping option, I booked a night with Cloud 9 glamping in Cau Dat Tea Farm. It was a unique experience, as the campsite offers several tent options with electric heaters if you are traveling in winter in a truly fascinating setting. All tents overlook a breathtaking elevated view, offering you the opportunity to observe the clouds as soon as you step out of the tent. A delicious barbecue dinner and breakfast were also included in the price.

The glamping is really beautiful, and in the morning, after watching the clouds and having breakfast, a bonfire awaits you to warm up before starting the journey back home. I have a small note to say, though, even if the location was magical and I feel like recommending this glamping to anyone, unfortunately, my tent had a very dirty bed and sheets. I imagine it was an oversight, but it was the only flaw about the experience.

Imagine stepping out of your tent with a hot coffee in hand, wrapped in a blanket, and watching the mist lift slowly from the hills below. It’s one of the most serene and cinematic things you can do in Vietnam, and perfect if you’re craving a slow, soulful experience away from the city buzz.

VISIT A COFFEE FARM IN DA LAT: FROM BEAN TO BREW

Da Lat isn’t just about flowers, and as I mentioned at the beginning of this article, one of my goals was to learn about the coffee culture in Vietnam, and Da Lat is the place to be. The high-altitude climate here makes it perfect for growing arabica beans, and if you’re a coffee lover, visiting a local coffee farm is a must. Even though I am more of a tea drinker than a coffee drinker, I love the aroma and the culture that surrounds it, so I had to give this experience a try. I had the opportunity to visit Son Pacamara Specialty Coffee Farm, a coffee farm that grows and roasts its own coffee, on the outskirts of Da Lat, just 10 minutes from the city center, where I learned how the beans are hand-picked, sun-dried, and roasted on site. Some farms even allow you to try roasting your own batch, which is a really interesting and hands-on experience.

Son Pacamara offers several tours to choose from; I opted for the "roasting" option, which includes a visit to the plantation, plus a session where you can roast your own batch of coffee and learn the science behind roasting and roast your own coffee using a manual roaster. This is not just a tourist experience: it is a way to get in touch with the roots of Vietnamese coffee, understand the differences between Arabica and Robusta, and directly support local farmers. For me, it was a unique experience and highly recommended.

My tip? When visiting Son Pacamara, plan ahead for them to call you a taxi back, because even if Grab has no problem getting here on the way there, for the way back, it is impossible to find one. In my case, I asked to call one, and we organized with other travelers visiting the plantation to split the cost of the ride.

ME LINH COFFE GARDEN

Our coffee adventure continues with a visit to Me Linh coffee garden. It is a coffee plantation further away from the center of Da Lat and is a much more touristic attraction, which offers, in addition to guided tours, also the opportunity to rent costumes to take pictures and taste different specialties. My main reason to visit this plantation was, in addition to the breathtaking view it offers, to discover another particularly kind of coffee, which is weasel coffee, and even see these curious little animals up close.

WHERE TO STAY IN DA LAT

There’s something for every budget—from cozy guesthouses and French-style villas to boutique eco-hotels and glamping spots in the pine forest. I personally recommend staying somewhere a bit outside the center for the best views and quieter vibes plus more chances to wake up surrounded by fog.

DO NOT MISS THESE COFFEE SHOPS AND PLACES TO EAT

As mentioned previously, Da Lat has a rich coffee culture, and during my stay here, I discovered some hidden gems that I would recommend everyone visit. Some of my favorites: The Dome Coffe & Tea if you are looking for a co-working space this is the perfect spot;

La Crème Bakery & Cafe, this was a real hidden gem, don't be swayed by how small it looks when you enter, when you go upstairs you'll find yourself in a art gallery with the most luxurious atmosphere. Sipping a drink and eating one of their delicious cake surrounded by art and paintings is an amazing feeling;

Cafe Jigeum, many Korean tourist have made Da Lat their favourite destination, and this Korean-inspired coffee shop is one of the best and coziest ones;

Coba Coffee, has been the first coffee shop I've visited in Da Lat and also the first place where I've tried my first egg coffee.

Even tho I love the Vietnamese cuisine as an Italian, there are times when I start craving a good pizza, and Pizza Chorio in Da Lat, tucked in an alley, had one of the best pizzas I've ever eaten, and I'm not exaggerating.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Da Lat is one of those rare places that feels both romantic and wild, chill and inspiring. It’s a spot where you can slow down, try something new, and see a different side of Vietnam. Whether you're here for the flower festival, chasing waterfalls, or learning how your morning coffee gets made, this city has layers—and it’s well worth peeling them back.

DISCOVER DA LAT: VIETNAM’S MOST DREAMLIKE DESTINATION