A former French hill station surrounded by pine forests and lakes, Da Lat is Southern Vietnam’s breath of fresh air. Perched at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, it is blessed with a temperate climate and has long served as a retreat for those seeking to escape the choking heat of Saigon. Nowadays, it is also the unequivocal honeymoon capital of Vietnam.
Think of a resort town in the French Alps but add in heart-shaped benches and horse-drawn carriages and you’ll get a good idea of what Da Lat is like. Colonial villas and tree-lined promenades grace much of the town, making it easy to see where Da Lat’s moniker of “Le Petit Paris” comes from. The municipal authorities chose to play to the Parisian sentiment and erected an Eiffel Tower of their own in the town’s centre, albeit a smaller one.
Also known as “the City of Eternal Spring”, Da Lat is famous nationwide for its flowers, the surrounding farmlands also produce some of Vietnam’s finest milk, wine, coffee, and fruit. So have a few strawberries, draw in a lungful of cool mountain air, and enjoy the spring vibes around you!