 Located in the Central Highlands region, Lam Dong is a mountainous province, and 70% of its area is covered in forest. To the north, it borders on Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces, to the south-east, on Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces, and to the west, on Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai provinces. The remarkable characteristic of Lam Dong’s topography is the fairly distinctive division of tiers from north to south. The north of the province is high mountains, the Lang Bian plateau, with summits of altitudes between 1,300m - above 2,000m such as Bidoup (2,287m), Lang Bian (2,167m). The east and the west are mountains with modest altitudes (500m - 1,000m). The south is topographically the transition from the Di Linh - Bao Loc plateau to the semi-flat country. Lam Dong province has a tropical climate with monsoon. On the whole territory, due to a complex topography, there is a difference in elevation and degree of vegetation covering. However, the weather of Lam Dong is temperate and mild all the year round, notable changes are rare in the annual cycle. The temperature varies distinctly between areas and the higher it is, the lower temperature is. The range of the average annual temperature is 16ºC - 23ºC. Dry season is from December to March next year. Rainy season is from A pril to November. It is always sunny everyday. The annual rainfall is not distributed equally in time and place. Its range is 1,600 - 2,700mm. The side of the area towards the southwest wind (Bao Loc Town) has a high annual rainfall amounting to 3,771mm.
The unique tourism of Lam Dong Province is made from the combination of topographical, climatic and hydrographical factors. Together with its forests and regional flora and fauna, Lam Dong offers distinctive scenery with many picturesque lakes, falls, hills and pine forests. Some of the natural scenic spots include Xuan Huong Lake, Dan Kia - Suoi Vang Lake, Tuyen Lam Lake, Lake of Sighs, Valley of Love, Da Nhim Lake, Camly Falls, Datanla Falls, Prenn Falls, Pongour Falls, Dambri Falls, Bobla Falls, Liliang Falls, Voi (Elephant) Falls, Pongour Falls, Golf Hills, Lang Bian Mountain, etc. Places of historical and cultural interest include some French style palaces, Linh Son Pagoda, Linh Phong Pagoda, Truc Lam Zen Monastery, Dalat Cathedral, Cat Tien archaeological site. Dalat, capital of Lam Dong Province, exhales its own poetic and romantic charm. Situated at 1,500m above sea level, Dalat has a cool climate. The annual average temperature is 18ºC. It is also famous for its lakes, waterfalls, pine-tree forests, vegetable gardens and flowers such as rhododendron, cherry, mimosa, hydrangea, rose, daisy, and dahlia. Dalat offers a harmonious combination of natural scenery and historical sites.The population is mainly composed of Kinh people, Co Ho, Ma, Hoa, Nung, Tay, and Chu Ru ethnic minorities. Starting from Dalat, tourists will be able to visit villages of ethnic groups in the Central Highlands in order to discover their customs, festivities and original handicraft products. This extraordinary experience will leave the visitors with unforgettable memories to cherish. Local minority communities also hold a variety of festivals including the buffalo sacrifice festival and the gong performance festival. All visitors are invited and welcomed to share in these festivals.
Road: Dalat is 110km from Phan Rang (Ninh Thuan), 200km from Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak), 205km from Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), 293km from Ho Chi Minh City, and 1,481km from Hanoi.
Airlines: Lien Khuong Airport is 30km south of Dalat. There are daily flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and two flights a week to Danang Highlights
 Dalat Town is located in Lam Dong province, approximately 200 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. At an elevation of 1,500 m, Dalat bears the look of an Old French city. The first person to explore this region was Mr. Nguyen Thong. In 1893, Dr Alexandre Yersin, a protégé of Louis Pasteur decided to leave his ship docked at Nha Trang to explore the central highlands of Vietnam and stumbled across Dalat. Quickly he spread the word about this evergreen filled region dotted with lakes and waterfalls. In 1912 when the city had established itself it was  already popular with Europeans as a cool retreat from the sweltering heat of the coastal plains and the Mekong Delta. Not long after, Dr. Tardiff, also a French citizen, had an expedition through this region and visited Dankia and Da Lat. He recommended Da Lat to the government due to the favorable water source and locale. At the time, South Vietnam was under French rule, and was known as Cochinchina. The Governor of Cochinchina personally visited Dangkia and Da Lat and decided to take Dr. Tardiff’s recommendation.
Those early tourists would amuse themselves boating on the lake, playing tennis, stalking the forests in search of big game and since the 1920, playing a round or two of golf. Many of the French colonialists built vacation homes in Dalat and these villas remain standing today in all their architectural splendor though lack the tender loving care of their original owners.
.jpg) Nowadays, tourists not only limit themselves to Dalat; they also visit the area of Langbian Highland and the ethnic minorities. Langbian Mountain’s highest peak at 2,165 m is very tempting for climbers. From Lom Bieng Klo peak, one can see endless green mountains reflecting the silver rays of the sun. Many tours are organized in the area, including parachuting and climbing.
Dalat has many natural and artificial lakes such as Ho Xuan Huong, Than Tho, Da Thien, and Tuyen Lam bordered by lines of pine trees, which are a well-known feature of Dalat Vietnam.A trip to Dalat is not complete until one goes to the Dalat Flower Gardens. The temperate climate of Dalat is suitable for flowers such as orchids, roses, lilies, and camellias. Dalat Cathedral is located on Tran Phu Road, near the Dalat Novotel Hotel, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province. The cathedral looks like a European cathedral from the Middle Ages with its many stained glass windows and 47m tower.The cathedral was built between 1931 and 1942. This cathedral was used by the French and other Europeans who used to live in Dalat Masses are held from Monday to Saturday at 5.30am and 5.15pm, and Sunday at 5.30am, 7am, and 4pm. Linh Son Pagoda is located on Nguyen Van Troi St., on a hill overlooking the centre of Dalat City, Lam Dong Province. The pagoda is office of the Buddhism Managing Committee of Lam Dong Province.The pagoda has been managed by a succession of monks. The present monk, Thich Tu Man, has been residing in the pagoda since 1964. In the middle altar, there is a 1,250kg bronze statue of Sakyamuni Buddha cast in 1952. In addition, there is a room in the pagoda where Buddhist books and souvenirs are sold. Truc Lam Buddhist Pagoda is located on Phuong Hoang Mountain, by Tuyen Lam Lake in Ward 3, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province. Truc Lam Buddhist Pagoda is located amidst beautiful natural scenery. This is the biggest pagoda in Dalat City.The pagoda is covering an area of about 24ha with a Buddhist institute and a 22ha garden.The pagoda was inaugurated in 1994.The Bonze Superior Thich Thanh Tu, who built and still manages this pagoda, is also the Buddhist dignitary of Thuong Chieu Buddhist Pagoda in Dong Nai.
 Dalat Flower Park is located at 2 Phu Dong Thien Vuong St., Dalat City, Lam Dong Province, which leads from Xuan Huong Lake to Dalat University.The flower park is considered as a natural museum, famous for its diverse species of flowers. The park consists of at least 300 different kinds of flowers, hundreds of which are in blossom all year round. It houses a fine collection of native and exotic flowers. The flower park is open daily from 7.30 am to 4 pm.
 Lake of Sorrow is located approximately 5 km northeast of the city. According to local lore, the lake was named during the war between Vietnam and China.As the story goes, long ago there lived a young couple in this area. They loved each other very much and often met by the lake to enjoy the tranquil setting of this area. At about the time when they spoke of building a future together, Vietnam was in the state of war with foreign invaders from the north. There was a general call for able-body young men to take arms. The young man, Hoang Tung, being extremely patriotic, decided to join the army of king Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue to help defend Vietnam.
 The young couple decided to meet by the lake to say their goodbye as Hoang Tung was leaving with his garrison for the north. His betrothed Mai Nuong, being equally patriotic, decided not to be a burden in his mind, lest he won’t be able to perform his duties, decided to commit suicide by drowning in the lake. When the time came for the two to meet, Hoang Tung found that she has passed away. The people in this region heard of the young couple’s story and decided to rename the lake Ho Than Tho or Lake of Sorrow. Several variations of the story are published. One version along this line claimed that Hoang Tung did not show up at the appointed time. Mai Nuong was heart broken and spent many days by the lake to wait for him. Hopeless, Mai Nuong committed suicide by jumping into the lake. Xuan Huong is the area’s most beautiful lake, and is located in the centre of Dalat city. It is 5sq.km, in the shape of a crescent moon.It is a poetic site, attracting visitors in search of relaxation and young lovers. The surface of the lake is as smooth as glass with the reflection of the surrounding pine trees. The road around the lake is also encompassed by pine trees.Visitors can enjoy a glass of fresh sweet water while fishing and resting under ancient conifers, pedal boating on the lake or admiring  the lovely architecture of Thuy Ta pavilion.The noise produced by the running water of the Cam Ly waterfall can be heard even before arriving at the site of the falls. The city’s lake is supplied with water from a small stream that runs north of the lake. On the other side, there is another small stream that brings water from the lake to the western part of the city. This stream runs beneath a bridge near a bus station where there is a small dam. Both the streams to and from the lake are named Cam Ly. Two kilometers from the lake, the water runs through a rough bed of large boulders called Cam Ly waterfall.
 The Dambri waterfalls are situated north of Bao Loc in Lam Dong province. According to the Ma ethnic language, Dambri means "cascade of the lion", and according to the Coho ethnic language, "the stream of hope".The climate around Dambri waterfalls is cool all year round. The falls are also surrounded by hills of mulberry, tea and palm trees. Cruises on the area’s lake are also available.
 The Prenn Waterfall is located at the foot of the 10km - long Prenn mountain pass, on the route from Dalat to Ho Chi Minh city. The famous waterfalls are located approximately 100 m from the road.Approaching the falls there is a subtle change in temperature caused by mist of the water falling. At the foot of the falls is a small valley of flowers and pine trees. The 10m cascading water falls down over the small bridge built across a little lake.The waterfall is open from 7am to 5pm.Located 40km east of Dalat, Danhim lake is the site of a hydroelectric dam. The water from the damn  travels through two pipes down from the Ngoan Muc Pass to supply power to much of the South. These two sites make visitors fell small in the grandness of nature and they are a reminder of the ability of human beings to manipulate nature for their own benefit.
About 5 km north of the centre of Dalat is the Valley of Love ringed by hilly slopes covered with pine forest. Under King Bao Dai, the valley was called Hoa Binh (Peace) and then its name was changed to the Valley of Love. In 1972, Da Thien lake was created in the valley and thanks to this enhancement, the beauty of the valley has become more poetic and seductive for travelers and lovers. |
