Telephone code:063

Amongst the youngest cities in the nation, Dalat was founded by the French doctor, Alecxander Yersin , in 1893 . Today it is the main city of LamDong province . Some 300 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Dalat is known as both the City of Love and Le Petit Paris. The area enjoys a mild climate, like an eternal spring , with beautiful views, waterfalls , lakes, pine forests, flower gardens and French - built villas . Its economy is based primarily on tourism. Ethnic minorities include the Co Ho, the Ma and Lat.

Highlights

Prenn Falls

Plunges into a misty valley full of flowers of the foot of Prenn Mountain .

Bao Dai’s Summer Palace

Built in French colonial style for the last king of the Nguyen dynasty, it is 4km from city centre . A display of photographs shows the royal family enjoying themselves at the palace .

Xuan Huong Lake

This beautiful crescent shaped lake is a favourite with young lovers.

Valley of Love

So named by King Bao Dai, it is 5km north of the city centre and covered with towering pine trees.

Getting there

Air Daily flights leave for Dalat at 10a.m from CHM City(not Sundays).Vietnam Airlines office in Dalat is at 1 Quang Trung; Lien Khuong airport is 29km from the city , off the HCM road .

Bus From HCM City takes 5-6 hours. Dalat bus station is 1.5km south of the city at 3 Thang 4

Around Dalat

Cat Tien National Park

240km from Saigon, it is home to some quite large specimens of local fauna, including the Java rhinoceros, the gaur-a recently discovered species of with ox- bears and leopards.

Lakes

Dankia Lake

Situated at the foot of Lang Biang mountain 20km north of Dalat. Ancient traditions live on this area .

Da Nhim Lake

40km to the east of Dalat, it is an area of stunning natural beauty despite the presence of Phan Rang-Da Nhim hydro-electric plant.

Waterfalls

Pong Gua Falls

50km from Dalat city, argued to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the whole of Indochina.

Guga Falls

17km hight, 40km from Dalat

Dambri Falls

In Bao Loc district, the highest waterfall in the region.