Introcduction of Da lat

Da Lat is the capital city of Lam Dong province, Vietnam (Dalat or Da Lat) is the City of Flowers and honeymooners with lovely French villas, the fresh air, the beautiful waterfalls and gorgeous lakes sits in a lush and green valley of postcard beauty. Dalat’s specific sights are pine forest (forming the name: “City of thousands of pine trees”) with twisting roads and tree marigold, cherry blossom in the winter. The city’s temperate weather stands in contrast to Vietnam’s otherwise tropical climate. Mist covering the valleys almost year-round leads to its name “City of eternal spring”, Spring is eternal and “unique season” in Da Lat.
Things to do in dalat VietNam
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It’s also called “Little Paris” (“Le Petit Paris” in French) due to its French architecture villas and its replica of the Eiffel Tower built by the Telephone Company that looks like it fell into a pool of red and white colour. And really, after driving through tea gardens, coffee and rubber plantations, one feels almost transplanted to Europe. Indeed, in the past when Dalat still had been under France, The French Officials want to set up this city as “Le Petit Paris” (A Little Paris), the ideal resort city, the meaningful education center for their life in Indochina, the place was far from their native land – remote France. So, Dalat was the capital of the Federation of Indochina during World War II.
Beside above names, Vietnamese also called Da Lat under many lovely names such as The City of Love, The City of Poetry, The Green City

History & formation of Da Lat city
Da Lat was developed as a tourist destination after Alexander Yersin, a Swiss scientist with a taste for adventure, trekked 1839 into the region and persuaded the French colonial administration of its value as a highland resort.
Geographic location of Dalat Vietnam
Da Lat sits approx. 1500 m (4921 ft) above sea level on the Langbiang Plateau in the southern parts of the Central Highlands, and is surrounded by lovely mountains, according to a local, carry lyrical names like Elephant’s Head and Lady’s Body. So, you do not be surprised when someone called Da Lat as The City in the Forest.
Da Lat is the land of natural richness
Da Lat has been calling as Vietnam’s “vegetable garden” due to its year-round cool weather. Da Lat supplies temperate agriculture products for all over Vietnam. Indeed, Dalat is renowned for its orchids, roses, vegetables, and fruits. There are nascent wine-making and flower-growing industries in the region of Asia (main flower consuming market is Singapore, Hongkong, Korea, Japan). Every 2 years, The National Flower Festival hold in this city with many participants over the world.

Da Lat is the ideal city and the highlight of Vietnam
Da Lat still is the summer retreat of the rich and powerful. The last emperor, Bao Dai King, shared the coolness of hot Vietnamese summers with concubines in his summer palace before he was permanently sent to exile to the French Riviera.
The majority of visitors are Vietnamese. It seems to be the preferred place to get married. Honeymooners spend their memorable day amongst the artificial carved nature around the man-made Paradise Lake (also called Tuyen Lam Lake), shooting photo album and paddling on somewhat kitschy swan boats on the picturesque lake.
As Da Lat was the most romantic place of Vietnam, great natural landscapes. Hence, almost singers of Vietnam and Overseas have highly preferred to shoot their music videos or movies in Da Lat.
In addition of charming nature and architecture, Da Lat has the grand variety of cultural life of Ethnic Minority People. Many cultural festivals of Ethnic Minority People were hold at the Ethnic Minority villages in outskirt of Da Lat.

Visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Dalat vietnam

The temple is located outside the centre of Da Lat. From the district of Hòa Bình in the city centre of Da Lat, the temple is located at a turnoff on the road from the city centre towards Prenn Hill, the temple is near the Tuyền Lăm Lake, located on Phượng Hoàng Hill.
Along the road winding up the hill to the temple, the bell tower is clearly visible from afar. The tiled roof of the pagoda is also prominent, contrasting against the pine forests that surround it. The entrance of the temple is somewhat isolated, so there is a direct entrance to the temple with 61 steps or climbing, or the person can go directly past Tuyền Lâm Lake and then climb 222 steps past the triple gated entrance to enter the main courtyard in front of the temple.
The temple is located on a plot of land encompassing 24 hectares. Of the 24 hectares, there are two hectares that are occupied by buildings, divided into two areas, the domestic areas and public areas. The domestic area is closed to the public. There are two domestic quarters, for monks and nuns respectively. Each of the domestic quarters has two meeting rooms for sangha, a meditation hall, a kitchen, dining room and a shed. Currently, there are approximately 50 monks and 50 nuns in religious practice at the temple.
The public quarters is in a spacious plateau area on the grounds of the temple, at approximately 1300 m above sea level, overlooking Benhuit mountain and the wide expanse of Tuyền Lâm Lake. The public quarters was a building works undertaken under the architectural design of Ngô Viết Thụ and Nguyễn Tín, and was opened on March 13, 1994. The public quarters consistes of a ceremonial hall, flanked by the bell tower on the right and guest facilities on the left. At the front of the guest facilities lies a rose garden, and at the front slopes of the temple in front of the gate is an artificial lake with a capacity of 15,000 cubic metres.
The statue in the main ceremonial hall is of Gautama Buddha seated on a lotus, flanked on either side by Văn Thù Sư Lợi and Phổ Hiền bodhisattvas, respectively known for their wisdom and dedication. An adjacent hall is used on the 14th and 29th of each lunar month, that is, the eve of the full moon and the new moon, the abbot holds a discussion session on meditation with meditation students, including lay Buddhists.

One of the objectives of the temple is to recreate the spirit of Zen Buddhism during the Trần Dynasty that ruled Vietnam form 1225 to 1400. The tradition practiced here was started by Emperor Trần Nhân Tông, who abdicated the throne in favour of his son Trần Anh Tông to become a Buddhist monk and founded a new tradition in Zen. He had incorporated the three sects of Zen that had come to Vietnam from China, the Tỳ-ni-đa-lưu-chi, Vô Ngôn Thông and Thảo Đường into a new Vietnamese Zen tradition, known as Trúc Lâm. This came after he had led royal troops in defeating Nguyên Mông before retreating to Yên Tử mountain to begin his religious life before travelling around the country to expound the dharma.
The Trúc Lâm Zen tradition emphasizes the habit of applying Buddhist practice in whatever surroundings one finds oneself in, for sangha and laypeople alike.

Beauty of Truc Lam Zen Monastery

From Dalat city, driving along Trieu Viet Vuong St., passing Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, going ahead to a new road, visitors will place their feet on a holly magnificent land- Truc Lam Zen Monastery.
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To Dalat tourism visitors will wallow in the natural settings in Valley of Love, Sigh Lake, or walking alone on the patches to Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, or watch glows of sunset in the sky on Lang Biang Mountain. Moreover, visitor cannot miss Truc Lam Zen Monastery, where they might feel peace in mind, “leave this world of dust”, and eliminate the city’s busywork.
The origins of the monastery
On the way to Tuyen Lam Lake, visitors have to follow a zigzag mountain path to Phoenix Summit, where Truc Lam Zen Monastery, which is far 5km from Dalat city, stands superbly in such an open poetic natural environment. It’s not only the biggest Zen Monastery but also the most popular tourist attractions to visitors nationwide and worldwide.
Truc Lam Zen monastery with its advantage of location was designed as a new style of architecture by Mr. Ngo Viet Thu, who used to designed Independence Palace, today known as Unification Palace, Ho Chi Minh City. Besides, architecture Huynh Ngoc An was in charge of the design of the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary was built in rectangle shape to head south. Sanctuary surroundings are a lot of traditional Vietnamese pagodas and the monastery was designed modernly. It is simple in its form but modern in structure and use. The pagoda, designed with the oriental architecture style, built in 1993-1994 by superior Buddhist monk Thich Thanh Tu, was divided into 4 main areas. With the beautiful landscapes, the pagoda is not only a meditative place but also an ideal visiting place.

This is a unique architecture besides Tuyen Lam Lake. Starting from Tuyen Lam Lake is a stone140-step path, flanked by the towering pines reaching three gates to enter the main gate of Sanctuary.
The main area of 192m2 is decorated simply but meaningfully of the Buddha. The 2-metter Buddha statue of Guru Shakyamuni stood in the center of the shrine; his right hand holding lotus flower is called Shakyamuni “United States Minor” – that means the statue’s image was built based on “Lotus Minor”.
The right of the Buddha is Bodhisattva Manjushree riding a lion and the left of the Buda is the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra riding a 6-tusk white elephant. Around the top of the sanctuary is the bas-relief carvings 8 manifestations of Buddha and wooden altars carved meticulously.
The front corridor is four round timber columns and ceilings are covered with shiny glazed tiles imbuing Vietnamese people’s humility or the elegance of meditation.
In the right side of the main hall, a steeple carved reliefs with deeper meaning of Buddhism is very delicate and beautiful. Inside the steeple is a bell pot weighing about 1.1 tons with elegant sense full of morals.
From the Sanctuary, visitor can see Tinh Tam Lake, where the scenery is very beautiful, and Thanh Luong Hill nearby situated a two -floor guest house with freshly green gardens. The house is also a place for religious women to apply short-term training at the monastery; front of it is the green bamboo forests. Standing in front of the house, visitors can see Lang Bian peaks silhouetted against the imposing Tuyen Lam Lake
In the busiest time there are thousands of monks and nuns, and Buddhists attending to learn meditation in the Monastery. This is the biggest meditation on Zen Institute in Vietnam today to restore Vietnam Zen (found in the Tran dynasty). Each day from 3:00 a.m., the monks meditate three times, 2 hours/ each time; and they sit on 2 main areas of activity in meditation.
Visiting Truc Lam Zen Monastery, guests will be deep in air purification of the Zen place, visitors also stroll around the temple to contemplate what to give and what to receive. Visit Truc Lam Zen Monastery in the quietness of hills and mountains, tourist are free from everyday worries and seem to be able regain them in the greatness of the nature.
A visit to Truc Lam Zen Monastery
For those who love exploring the nature should take boat cruises on Tuyen Lam Lake in order that they can deeper themselves into the valley, or taste wines of ethnic people, and venison characterized Highland mountains, or they watch the sunset in a quiet space of the mountains.

Bao Dai Palace – Buon Me Thuot

Bao Dai Palace is a historical site located at 4 Nguyen Du Street, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak province. The house was formerly for Sabatier – The ambassador of the French government in the Highlands. Then the building was rebuilt for King Bao Dai. Located in the center of Buon Ma Thuot city, Bao Dai palace is famous for its beautiful architecture and the mark of many historical, cultural events in Dak Lak.
In the French colonialism, it was an office of an ambassador of Dak Lak province. At first, it was made of wood, thatch, bamboo, etc. In 1926, it was solidly built of bricks, sand, stones and cement. In 1927, it was finished and named Building of the French Ambassador.

Bao Dai Palace is a historical site located at 4 Nguyen Du Street, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak province

Period France invaded Vietnam, where the former home of the ceramic work of Dak Lak province. Originally the house was built with materials such as wood, thatch, bamboo … By 1926, rebuilt of brick, stone, cement and finished solidly in 1927 named the French legation. In 1940, the palace was rebuilt in the Central Highlands style combined with modern features: The roof and floor of the house was made of wood and there was a basement. Looking at the front of the house, it looked like a long house, and the back looked like a European style with peaceful scene.
After the victory of the August revolution in 1945, the revolutionary government used this building as the headquarters of provisory revolutionary committee. During the time when the French invaded Vietnam again, King Bao Dai under Nguyen Dynasty had come here for resting and hunting. Since then the building got the name of Bao Dai palace.
The total area is about 7 hectares, with many ancient trees over 100 years old. The building was rebuilt as the current with very nice architecture style bearing imprint of traditional house of Ede ethnic with roof tiles and wooden floor.


Today, the palace became a historical site; a museum exhibiting historical artifacts

There are many artifacts on display with cultural values of more than 44 ethnic groups living in Dak Lak, in which Gong culture and issues related to cultural identity of local minority are clearly expressed.
Today, the palace became a historical site; a museum exhibiting historical artifacts .With beautiful architecture and scenery, Bao Dai palace is the ideal place for domestic and foreign tourists.

Dak Tuar Cave- Dak Lak

Dak Tuar Cavern is located nearby Dak Tuar Waterfall, about 6km away from the center of Cu Pui commune, Krong Bong district. According to records, in the war years against the American, this place was the base of Dak Lak Army and main forces.
According to documents, in 1961, in a battle of American troops soldiers of the former Saigon regime, all peope of Tuar village (now part of Cu Pui commune, Krong Bong district) runs to refuge in Chu Yang Sin Mountain. Here, two villagers discovered a large cave that is long and near water sources, with many nooks. That is very convenient for hiding and eating in the long term. Later, the Dak Lak Provincial Committee chose this cave as a base. Some officials at the time as Huynh Van Can, Nguyen Muoi, Le Chi Decision, A Ma Thung, Nam Vinh, Ybloc Eban, Le Huu Kieng … was here to command the resistance.
Dak Tuar Cavern is located nearby Dak Tuar Waterfall
Dak Tuar cavern was recognized by Ministry of Culture and Information as a historical relic in 1991.
However, in the list of 8 references of the Dak Lak Museum, there is no information related to Dak Tuar cave.
Historical figures are mentioned in the file for approval historical site as Huynh Van Need (former Secretary of the Provincial Committee of Dak Lak), Hoang Le (former chief of the provincial Party Committee), affirmed that they have never live in Dak Tuar cave. Some even said that they did not know where the cave is. Mr. Hoang Le said: “In the war against the US, authorities have a base at Tuar village, not in the cave. So, Tuar village should be a historical site but not the cave”.
Until now, the historical site has not been clarified. But now matter how the cave is, it is an ideal place for those who love travelling and discovery.

Three-floor Waterfall (Ba Tang Waterfall)

Three-floor Waterfall is in Dak Nong district, Dak Nong provine, far away Gia Nghia town about 8 km along Highway 14, in the opposite direction to Buon Ma Thuot city. Around the Three-floor Waterfall has old trees and a wide flat ground, very ideally place for camping to enjoy relaxing while visiting these places.

Three-floor Waterfall (Ba Tang Waterfall)
People call Ba Tang Waterfall (three-floor Waterfall ) because the water stream must pass three difference floors of waterfall to the underneath spring-bed. This three-floor waterfall is located in a sequence length of about 40 meters. The first floor is not so high, water falls from rocks to the fell water at height 1,5m. About 20m from the first floor is the second floor. At this floor, a blue spring makes its way in continuous rocks at height 2m flow to the below dazzling water bubble. The third floor is the biggest and main stream of Ba Tang Waterfall. The main waterfall is higher than 20m, a virtual flow between day and night and fills on both sides of the stream.




Ba Tang Waterfall

With the height of 20m, this waterfall rumbles night and day in the quite landscape of mountain and forest overflow to both sides of springs. Here, the spring is relatively large. There are many three shadows that visitors can rest and observe the fall of water and hear the sound of nature. Look from under we can see water steam prays around as a blanket of fog covering the waterfall making sound eternally in the mountains.

Dray Nur waterfall DaK Nong VietNam

Dray Nur waterfall is a combination of two rivers named Krong Ana (Wife river) and Krong No (Husband river). These mix each other creating the lagendary Serepok river in the Central highlands. Dray Nur waterfall has over 250 meters of length and 30 meters of height, linking two banks of Dak Lak and Dak Nong province. High altitude operation with rushing water and powerful sounds are really impressive for the visitors. Fogs spray out, soaring along with the forest landscape created majestic scene
Located abuot 30 km from the center of Buon Ma Thuot city in the direction of Ho Chi Minh City, Dray Nur waterfall has a length 250 meters, connecting two provinces Dak Lak and Dak Nong. From a height over 30 meters, the waterfall leaning down to deep river, creating a natural painting.
Dray Nur Waterfall DaK Nong
The Dray Nur gets its name from the sad love story of Nur Prince, the son of the Sea King, and his two beautiful wives. Dray Nur is the biggest waterfall in the Central Highlands with high attitude, swift flows and roaring sound. At Dray Nur, tourists can have an opportunity to contemplate the wildness and impressiveness of the nature, explore caves and have a message and a bath under water. The flows of the water and the systems of rocks under the waterfall create caves where tourists can soak themselves in the jets of cool water. However, most of the tourists when reaching to the Dray Nur like to take photos and make films to capture the delicate beauty.

Dray Nur waterfall- symbol of beauty in the Central Highlands
Dray Nur waterfall is one of the most impressive waterfall in the Central highlands. Come to Dray Nur waterfall, you will enjoy mighty landscapes, special and distinct food of local minorities with silet and fresh air, you will also find strong feeling when creep into rock cave under the waterfall, or going on a hanging bridge..

Da Lat guide to coolness

Da Lat is one of the most beautiful mountainous cities in Vietnam, the location for a perfect honeymoon or a thrilling adventure. However, there are a few things that even veteran travelers can miss while staying here. I would recommend a backpacking trip in Da Lat, to fully experience everything that this place has to offer. Here are a few suggestions for those who about to make their way to this mild paradise and help them to get the best experience while in Da Lat.

Walk on Pongour Waterfall
Pongour Waterfall
Located 40km south of Da Lat lies Pongour Waterfall (also known as the Seven-Floored Waterfall). Depend on your liking and budget, you can choose to go to the fall via a bus or a motorcycle. Once there, indulge yourself in the wonderful landscape that only the Pongour Waterfall can provide. Bewildered by the majestic mural as you make your way down the fall. The scenery is sure to leave you breathless.
Warning: Be cautious while walking down the streams as the rocks can be slippery. So make sure that you don’t fall.

Ride a motorcycle around Lake Lak


Lake Lak, Dak Lak
If you want a taste of the plateau on a motorcycle, Lake Lak is the suitable location for all adrenaline junkies. The lake is surrounded by countless of endless rice paddies, the perfect place to spend the night away from the big city. There are many hotels and resorts around Lake Lak, so you can easily find yourself some comfortable accommodations. Upon exploring Lake Lak, there are many options to choose from: returning to Da Lat to explore the explorable, or keep going to get to Buon Ma Thuot and see the coffee fields, or maybe head down to the beautiful beaches of Nha Trang

Take a cable ride to Thien Vien Truc Lam (Truc Lam Zen Monastery)


Thien Vien Truc Lam
Taking the cable ride is somewhat of an everyday routine for the people of Da Lat. Where the cable takes you is completely unknown, what lies ahead is a mystery. However, when the cable takes you to Truc Lam Zen Monastery, you know you are in for a treat. The Monastery can be found next to the beatiful lake of Tuyen Lam, surrounded by  a garden of colorful flowers. You can walk around the place for hours and feels no boredom at all. Afterwards, everybody can agree that this is a peaceful, sacred place.

Take it to the extreme


Just your average daredevil doing his thing in the Datanla Waterfall, Da Lat
Do you like to risk life and limb? Do you like to live on the edge? Are you willing to do anything for the thrill and the adrenaline? There are many extreme activities for those who have little regard for their own safety. Crossing waterfalls is one of the hottest thing to do for these daredevils. There are many travel agencies in Da Lat that provide extreme activities wide variety. Choose your game based on your physical condition.
Warning: All of these activities are dangerous to some extent. Try at your own risk.

Savour a cup of coffee in the romantic scenery


Coffee in the garden in Da Lat. Join your friends!
Be amazed by the diversity in Da Lat’s coffeeshops. The cafes here are nicely decorated, with the surrounding full of flowers. I have to say that flowers are everywhere here in Da Lat. Exploring Da Lat can take a toll on certain people, so if you ever feel tired, stop by at one of the local coffeeshops down the road, enjoy a bevarage in the moving music. It will be one for the books

Plei Op Village: Featuring Gong Performance

Plei Op Village, also called Plei Op in Jrai Language, is situated in the center of Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam. Coming to Plei Op Village, you are about to grasp the overview picture of the traditional lifestyle of Vietnamese ethnic people in Central Highland region.

Villagers gather together in the front yard of Nha Rong and hold entertaining activities
Cach Mang Thang Tam Route is the main access to the Plei Op Village. It is a must-see destination for ones who wish to get a quick overview of Pho Nui (mountainous city) and create some unforgettable memories related to the artless yet charming region.
Plei Op Village was established circa 1927, being the residential zone of 15 households and 76 villagers. Nowadays, the village has been expanded and been accommodating 105 households and 540 villagers.



A corner of the village
The village covers an entire area of 182ha which belongs to Hoa Lu District. Its destiny has turned to a new page in 2008 when the authority of Pleiku City embarked on the project of developing Op into the Tourism Cultural Village. As the project, the utilities, facilities, environmental protecting plans and other infrastructures in the villages has been substantially improved. Last but not least, Nha Rong (Communal House), the Spirit of Plei Op Village, has undergone an enhancing maintenance and transformed into a more spacious and finer version. The front yard of Nha Rong is the venue for villagers to gather under the shadow of Neu Tree, appreciating the moreish  taste of Ruou Can (wine stored in a big jar, enjoyed by a group of people through straws) and immerse themselves into the rhythm of Gongs and velvety Xoan Dance.



Elephants are the means of transportation for tourists.
In addition to artificial and precious values found in the lifestyle of Plei Op Culture Village in Gia Lai, you have fresh and wild nature of horizon, green paddy field and serene streams in the vicinity to enjoy and contemplate.
Visitors are always welcomed to Plei Op Village to explore stilt-houses, the water supplying collective site, unique tombs with uncanny wooden figures… Moreover, one featured night activity defining traditional custom in High Central Region is attending the talk of the village patriarch, Puih Sir, which delivers Khan (Ethnic epics about Heros of the village). Other traditional festivals and specialty worth your noticing are Pothi (a funerary ritual), New Paddy Season Celebration, and Gong Squad’s performance, including 20 artists, 12 Chieng, 20 Gongs and one drum.


A collective tomb in the Village.