Vietnam / South-Central Coast & Highlands / Da LatDa Lat
Pine Forests and Cool Air in the Highlands
A highland city at 1,500 m, built by the French as a retreat, with cool nights, pine forests, flower farms and coffee plantations. The Crazy House, Xuan Huong Lake, waterfalls like Datanla (with an alpine coaster) and the cable car to Truc Lam monastery fill the days; the night market sells grilled rice paper and soy milk. Its markets are full of vegetables, and vegetarian food is easy. Driest from December to March.
Highlights
- Crazy House
- Datanla Falls alpine coaster
- Cable car to Truc Lam monastery
- Langbiang peak
- Coffee and flower farms
- Night market street food
- Canyoning down waterfalls
- Linh Phuoc mosaic pagoda
Things to do
- Crazy House and Xuan Huong LakeMorning · 2h 30m
- Datanla Falls and the alpine coasterMorning · 2h 30m
- Cable car to Truc Lam monasteryAfternoon · 2h
- Canyoning tripMorning · 6h
- Coffee farm and flower gardens tourAfternoon · 3h
- Da Lat night marketEvening · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: December – March
Worth knowing
Tet: Closures and a Travel Rush
Tet (Lunar New Year) falls on 6 February in 2027. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and fares rise; for three to five days after, many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close. Check the date for your year, book transport a month or more ahead, and expect higher prices.
- Tet (Lunar New Year) — Vietnam's biggest holiday. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and prices rise as everyone travels home; for three to five days after New Year's Eve many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close, while temples and flower markets are at their liveliest. Book transport a month or more ahead, or avoid travelling in the days either side.
- Reunification Day and Labour Day holidays — A long national holiday when much of the country goes to the beach and the hills: hotels in Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Da Lat and Sapa fill and raise prices, and buses and flights sell out. Book early or avoid these days.