15 Must-Try Ultimate Experiences When Traveling to Da Lat

Besides homestays, cafes are another iconic feature of the misty city. Da Lat is home to many beautiful, dreamy cafes that perfectly capture the city's magical atmosphere. Each cafe, while reflecting Da Lat's charm, has its own unique character.

Depending on your preferences, you can visit vintage cafes like Ma Rừng Lữ Quán, cafes with scenic views like Mê Linh Coffee Garden, or those nestled halfway up a hill like An Quán.

Strawberries are a famous specialty of Da Lat, and no trip to the city is complete without visiting its strawberry gardens.

Here, you’ll have the chance to pick ripe, juicy strawberries straight from the vine – an experience akin to those in the strawberry fields of Europe. And the best part? You can enjoy the fruits of your labor right there in the garden.

Some recommended strawberry gardens include:

• Chú Hùng Strawberry Garden: 143 Thánh Mẫu, Ward 7, Da Lat. Open from 6 AM to 6 PM.
• 88 Strawberry Garden: 88 Thánh Mẫu, Ward 7, Da Lat. Open from 8 AM to 10 PM.
• Hoa Nắng Strawberry Garden: Ankroet, Ward 7, Da Lat (call 0918 756 399 for directions). Open from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Da Lat is home to a variety of fields and farms, many of which are filled with stunning flower gardens and fruit orchards that you can explore to your heart's content. For instance, Da Lat Milk Farm features sunflower fields, buckwheat flowers, and a dairy farm, while Cầu Đất Farm is known for its lush tea hills and ancient tea processing workshops. Just reading about these places is enough to spark your curiosity and make you want to visit!

Here are some farms you can visit in Da Lat:

• Da Lat Milk Farm: Tu Tra Commune, Don Duong District, Lam Dong Province, about 25 km from Da Lat city center. Closed at 4 PM.
• Cầu Đất Farm: Cầu Đất Village, Xuân Trường Commune, about 20 km southeast of Da Lat city center. Open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

If you venture about 3 km outside the city center of Da Lat, you'll be rewarded with a visit to Vạn Thành Flower Village, home to the largest flower fields in Da Lat.

Vạn Thành is a traditional flower-growing village with about 220 households cultivating flowers on over 200 hectares. Though it's a relatively new village compared to others, it has risen to become the largest flower village in Da Lat. As the city's largest flower farm, it is home to a wide variety of flowers.

The standout flower here is the rose. Vạn Thành grows hybrid roses, crossbred with varieties from around the world, resulting in an impressive array of rose colors and fragrances. For flower lovers, this place is a true floral paradise.

Location: Vạn Thành Flower Village, 43 Vạn Hạnh, Ward 5, Da Lat, Lam Dong

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Da Lat is a city of stunning, ancient churches—why? Because this city is home to 43 churches. Some jokingly say that visiting Da Lat feels like stepping into Europe, thanks to the architectural beauty of its buildings, especially the churches. These structures give Da Lat a modern, elegant, yet vintage and majestic look. If you're drawn to European-style architecture, you can't miss these places and should definitely capture the enchanting moments there.

Here are some notable churches in Da Lat:

• Domaine de Marie Church: 1 Ngô Quyền, Ward 6, Da Lat City.
• Da Lat Cathedral (Rooster Church): 15 Trần Phú, Ward 3, Da Lat City.
• Cam Ly Church: 11 Nguyễn Khuyến, Ward 5, Da Lat City.
• Du Sinh Church: 40/8 Huyền Trân Công Chúa, Ward 4, Da Lat City.

During your Da Lat trip, don't miss a visit to Lam Vien Square, where you'll find the strikingly large Artichoke Bud and Wild Sunflower sculptures. The Artichoke Bud stands at 15 meters tall, while the Wild Sunflower reaches 18 meters in height. No wonder this spot has become a favorite check-in location for many young people recently.

Location: Lam Vien Square: Ho Tung Mau Street or 1 Tran Quoc Toan, Da Lat City, Lam Dong.

If you're looking to experience Da Lat from above, shrouded in mist, make sure to ride down Mimosa Pass. From this vantage point, you'll see rows of charming red-tiled homes tightly packed together, which, from above, look like little toy houses. They could easily be mistaken for European rooftops!

Directions:

• Mimosa Pass: From the city center, follow the map to Khe Sanh Road. Continue straight, passing the Chinese Temple, and you'll find the road leading to Mimosa Pass.
• Alternatively, for a more adventurous journey, you can take a backpacking trip from Saigon to Da Lat.

On your way down Mimosa Pass, you'll encounter Mai Anh Dao Street, famous for its cherry blossoms that herald the arrival of spring in Da Lat. From late December to the end of January, these beautiful pink blooms fill the streets, with thousands of cherry trees lining the roads, especially along this scenic route. Every year, countless visitors, especially young people, come here to capture the beauty and create lasting memories.

When visiting Da Lat, don't miss the chance to paddle a boat on the serene Tuyen Lam Lake. The vast expanse of the lake will make you want to drift on its waters for hours, soaking in the fresh air and peaceful surroundings. The best time for a boat ride is early in the morning or late afternoon, when the skies are clear. Avoid going after 4 p.m., as the winds pick up, making it harder to paddle.

Directions:

• Tuyen Lam Lake: Located in Ward 4, Da Lat, about 6 km south of the city center.
• By car, take National Highway 20 for 4 km, then turn right onto Truc Lam Yen Tu Road after passing Prenn Pass. Continue for about 1 km to reach the lake.

As you paddle along the serene Tuyen Lam Lake, you'll be treated to stunning views of bright red and golden maple leaves, a sight reminiscent of the chilly landscapes of Europe. To get a closer look, park your boat along the riverbank and venture into the forest. Bring a good camera to capture the best angles of the tall trees. For a quicker return, you can opt for a motorboat ride from the forest.

Here’s a secret spot for your photo session near Tuyen Lam Lake: the Secret Garden. This hidden gem offers expansive forests, simple wooden bridges, a picturesque lake, and vibrant flowers, creating an almost surreal, fairytale-like atmosphere.

Secret Garden info: Located near Tuyen Lam Lake and the Sculpture Tunnel, Ward 4, Da Lat. It’s at the end of the parking area for the Sculpture Tunnel.

Da Lat’s enchanting beauty extends to its sunsets, which are simply breathtaking. Picture a golden sunset casting reflections on Tuyen Lam Lake, or the vibrant sunset behind the Da Lat College. The soft sound of church bells accompanies the sunset, adding to the serene atmosphere. No matter where you are in Da Lat, the sight of the sun setting behind the clouds leaves an unforgettable impression on every visitor.

One experience you can't miss on your Da Lat trip is a stroll through the Midnight Market (Chợ Âm Phủ). The market is filled with a variety of items, from cozy sweaters and jackets to scarves, with a wide range of designs and prices to choose from.

If you happen to get hungry after shopping, there’s no need to worry – many food stalls are bustling around the market. The Midnight Market is famous for its affordable warm clothing, with cute hats starting at just 50,000 VND, and tasty snacks to warm you up, such as grilled rice paper, roasted corn, sweet potatoes, and skewered treats.

For years, Da Lat has been a magnet for travelers thanks to its lovely, cozy hotels; this attraction has only grown with the addition of trendy and stylish homestays that blend charm with comfort.

The design and layout of these homestays are so photogenic that you'll find the perfect spot for pictures with friends or family. It's not hard to get that perfect Instagram or Facebook post when you’re in Da Lat. Staying at such a beautiful place, you're sure to drift off into a peaceful sleep as well.

Some great homestays to consider when visiting Da Lat include: Dalat Homie, Nomini Homestay, Terrasse Des Roses, Ken’s House Backpackers Downtown 2, Là Nhà House, and Homestay Légume.

The cool, crisp mornings in Da Lat will make you want to stay snuggled under the blankets a little longer, savoring the warmth before you start your day. Of course, don't forget to peek your head out to breathe in the fresh air of a new day.

If you get tired of sleeping, you can still wrap yourself up in the blanket and enjoy a chat with friends over a hot cup of tea or coffee. On such relaxing mornings in Da Lat, there’s no reason to worry about the time—just forget the alarm clock and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this beautiful place.

Once you wake up, be sure to try Da Lat's bánh căn—a simple yet delicious breakfast that the locals love. You can enjoy it right at your homestay or hotel, or visit famous bánh căn spots like Bánh Căn Nhà Chung or Bánh Căn Cây Bơ.

Since it's so popular, the restaurants tend to get crowded, so be prepared to wait if you arrive later in the morning. There are two types of bánh căn: quail egg and duck egg versions, usually served with fish sauce. If you're still hungry, you can ask the owner to add some steamed pork or sausages to your meal.

Here are a few recommended places to try bánh căn in Da Lat:

• Bánh Căn Xíu Mại Cây Bơ: 56 Tăng Bạt Hổ, P. 1, TP. Da Lat. Around 20,000 VND per serving, open from 6 AM to 11:30 AM.
• Quán Hoa: 12 Phan Đình Phùng, Da Lat. One serving from 30,000 VND, open from 6 AM to 12 PM, and 3 PM to 6 PM.
• Bánh Căn Xuân An: 1 Nhà Chung, P. 3, Da Lat.

In addition to bánh căn, Da Lat offers other mouthwatering breakfast options like bánh mì xíu mại with hot soy milk, Huế-style beef noodle soup, or bánh ướt with chicken—definitely not to be missed!