Dalat is a small city in the Lam Vien highland of Lam Dong province. Da Lat is surrounded with continuous mountain ranges. Affected by the height and the pine forest, Dalat has characters of temperate zone therefore the temperature is so cool and fresh, always is from 18 to 21 degree Celsius. The history of the foggy city On the August 3rd 1891, Dr Alexandre Yersin made an exploration to find a mountain pass from Nha Trang to Saigon, but it wasn’t successful. On June 21 1893 Yersin discovered Lang Biang highland. The General Paul Doumer needed to find a temperate land like Europe in order to set up resorts, sanatoriums. In the oppinion of Yersin, he decided to choose Lang Biang highland. In 1900 and 1910 decades the French set up 2 lines from Saigon to Dalat and from Nhatrang to Dalat. The transport system was convenient so that Dalat developed so fast. In 1893 Dalat mostly was deserted. But in 1923 the first design plan was finished and Dalat had 1500 residents. Where should you go when visiting Dalat? In Dalat you not only are pleasant in climing in mountain, wading in cool streams but also going for sightseeing of Bao Dai King’s palaces, ancient pagodas, solemn cathedrals. As a small Paris, Dalat used to be romantic, fanciful because of the coldness in highland, the fog in the morning, being surrounded pine forests. Truc Lam Pagoda Truc Lam Pagoda is the largest one in Vietnam, was built up in 1994. It is the largest Buddhist construction since 1975. Truc Lam Pagoda locates nearby Tuyen Lam pond. Truc Lam Pagoda is connected to Dalat centre by a system of cale cars which is used to pick up travelers. Linh Phuoc Pagoda is also named Scrap Pagoda because in the yard the pagoda has 49m dragon which is made of 12.000 porcelain pieces. This is special marquetry architecture of Dalat. It locates in Trai Mat, is away from centre 10kms in the East. Linh Phong Pagoda was built in 1944 on Hoang Hoa Tham street. Only the monkness meditates in this pagoda. Rooster Cathedral The church is named like that because on the top of the tower there is a bronze rooster which is symbol of Peter Saint. The church was built in 1931 and finished in 1942. It is one of the typical ancient architecture in Dalat. Except for The Rooster Cathedral, Dalat has many churches such as Domaine de Marie, Du Sinh, Cam Ly. The Domaine de Marie church with French architecture is very beautiful. In the church there is a large flower garden and two over 75 year old firs. Palace I: This used to be an office of Bao Dai King. Palace II: This was a resort of Decoux General, Ngo Dinh Diem and Nguyen Cao Ky. At present this is motel of The Lam Dong People’s Committee Palace III: It is also called Bao Dai Palace. It was built in 1933 on Trieu Viet Vuong street. Now 25 rooms with interior objects of Bao Dai King, Nam Phuong Queen, Princes and Princesses are preserved. Especially the flower garden which is in front of the Palace is taken care meticulously. Cu Hill locates in the center of Dalat City, beside Ho Xuan Huong lake. Therefore two locations usually go along with together. People say that Dalat will be less beautiful if it doesn’t have Cu Hill and Ho Xuan Huong Lake. In 1942, Lagisquet architect chose Cu Hill as special area which no one can violate. Then an English architect turned out Cu Hill as a 9 Hole Golf Course which was quite famous in Southeast Asia. At present Cu Hill has been upgraded 18 Hole Golf Course. Ho Xuan Huong Lake Ho Xuan Huong is in the center of Dalat. In fact it was built in 1919. This lake was made from the dam which was embanked to hold back the stream flowing through the valley. Around the lake there are many art architectures such as Palace Hotel, Lam Vien drill ground, Thuy Ta, Thanh Thuy restaurants…. Gold Stream Lake is the largest fresh lake in Dalat which provides domestic water for residents in city. Gold Stream Valley is also famous site with flower garden and dense pine forests. Dalat Flower Garden is in Nothern Bank of Xuan Huong Lake. The area of Dalat Flower Garden is 7000m2. The harmonic arrangment makes impression in travelers. All types of flowers in Dalat are displayed in garden. Annually flower festivals are celebrated as a message to invite, attract investors in and out Vietnam. The areas which are around Dalat become centers to produce, export flowers into Southeast Asian countries. Lang Biang Top is regarded as the roof of Lam Vien Highland, Dalat. This is ideal location for travelers to enjoy bobbing feelings, to conquer the 2169m height of Lang Biang moutain. Than Tho Lake (Complain lake) is a natural lake in Dalat as well as a tourist location in this city. Prenn Waterfall brings in itself graceful, smooth beauty like water curtain which is hung in the 10m height. This “ water curtain” flows down into a small pond which is covered with flowers and yellow leaves. The Prenn waterfall is at the end of Prenn Moutain Pass. The way leading to waterfall is so beautiful with stone ladder which runs along the slope suitably. Travelers see a white water curtain falling down from the 10m height to a small valley which is turned out as a flower garden. What a perfect moment is with your sweetheart here! Pongour Waterfall It is also named seven story waterfall in Duc Trong district of Lam Dong Province, away from Dalat city about 50 km in the South. Its height is near 40m. The Love Valley is the most romantic landscape in Dalat, away from the center about 6 km. At first the French called it as Vallee d’Amour Valley. Travelers can go along the ways or step in stone ladder, then go through the flower gates with many colors to clim the Vong Canh hill. From the Love Valley a nature picture is shown livingly with the sails in lake. Except for these locations, travelers can visit others such as Dalat Market, Datanla waterfall, Dream Hill, Gold Valley, Tuyen Lam Lake, Tran Le Xuan Villa, Dalat College of Education, Dalat Station…. Dalat always attract travelers by landscapes, fresh environment, grace of residents. Vietnam is currently launching a pilot e-Visa system for citizens from 80 countries APPLY FOR EVISA NOW=> CLICK HERE! |