Discover the most beautiful architectural wonders in Da Lat

Da Lat Pedagogical College has been recognized as a national historical monument and is a perfect destination for architecture enthusiasts and photography lovers alike. Currently known as the Grand Lycée Yersin, it was designed by a French architect in 1927 with its distinctive four-story curved building being acknowledged by the World Architecture Association as one of the 20th century's 100 unique architectural works. Its standout feature is the towering bell tower, visible from afar, that adds to its charm.

Today, the roofing tiles of the college have been replaced due to aging. The highlight of the arched buildings is the bell tower located at the highest point. Previously, there was a clock on the exterior of the bell tower, though it seems to have been removed. However, keen-eyed visitors can still spot traces of the large clock imprinted on the ancient brickwork. There is no longer a bell atop the tower; it serves as a symbol of a cultural monument, reflecting humanity's intellectual aspirations. It's a characteristic architectural feature of the Morger region, the hometown of Alexander Yersin.

Address: 29 Yersin, Ward 10, Da Lat, Lam Dong.

Mai Anh Parish, also known as Domaine de Marie Church, showcases a truly unique architectural overview. The roof of the church is designed in an equilateral triangle shape with a cross mounted at the peak. Covering an area of 12 hectares, the church compound includes the main sanctuary building at the front, two convents, and a serene, peaceful courtyard. It's an ideal destination for architecture enthusiasts and tourists. The parish consists of around 850 faithful, living scattered among local residents across a vast area. Due to its geographical location, the parish is divided into seven areas along different streets: Thi Sach, Pham Ngoc Thach, Mai Hac De, Hoang Dieu, Yagut, Tran Binh Trong, Hai Ba Trung, La Son Phu Tu, and Ngo Quyen. Each area has its own Representative Committee comprising 2-3 members. The parish has one representative but without a fixed term. They are the strong arm of the parish priest.

Mai Anh is one of the newest parishes in the Diocese of Dalat. The parish is named Mai Anh because its church sits atop Domaine de Marie Hill (Mai Anh Hill) in the northern part of Dalat city. Notably, this church is not a standalone church but rather the chapel of the Sisters of Charity, situated within the convent area built since the 1940s. Despite being a relatively new parish, Mai Anh has a long history dating back to the 1940s and 1950s. Back then, there were just over 100 parishioners from 29 families residing along Hai Ba Trung, Hoang Dieu, and Calmette streets. They were under the care of the Cathedral parish but lived isolated lives, with few attending Mass at the Cathedral and having minimal contact with the priests there, except for occasions such as weddings or funerals.

Address: 1 Ngo Quyen, Ward 6, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province.

The Rooster Church, also known as the Cathedral of Da Lat, derives its name from the image of a rooster perched atop the cross on the 47-meter-high bell tower - an ideal vantage point to overlook almost the entire city of Da Lat. Built by the French in 1931, the church features European Romanesque architecture. The church floor plan is in the shape of a cross, measuring 65m in length and 14m in width. Inside the sanctuary are three aisles. The roof of this architecture is adorned with French stained glass, which reflects light, making the space even more perfect.

The Rooster Church follows the 'model' of Roman Catholic churches in Europe, typical of Romanesque architectural style. The church ground plan resembles a cross (like a crucifix), with a 47m bell tower. From this height, the church's bell tower offers a panoramic view of the entire city. The church's main entrance faces Mount Langbiang. The interior of the sanctuary consists of three aisles, with one large aisle in the middle and two smaller ones on either side. The cross-section of the building clearly shows the system of arches in the form of original arches with archivolts and barrel vaults. The columns inside the sanctuary feature classical-style capital systems combined with self-developed elements. Both the ground plan and elevations are meticulously designed in strict symmetry in a classical style.

Address: 15 Tran Phu Street, Ward 3, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province.

The Great Cao Dai Temple of Da Phuoc, Da Lat, was built in 1938 when Saint Birth Ngoc Ngo Thanh (Real Name Tran Van Ngo), a Cao Dai dignitary sent by the Holy See of Tay Ninh to evangelize here. Also in this year, Saint Birth Ngoc Ngo Thanh was awarded the Lam Dong Province Missionary Authority, responsible for the Dao in Lam Dong province. The first followers of the Cao Dai religion in Da Lat were Mr. Nguyen Van Chat (1891-1972), also known as Chanh Cao. Later, he was ordained by the Holy See of Tay Ninh as Saint Birth Ngoc Cao Thanh and was appointed as the Head of the Dao Tribe in Da Lat, overseeing the Dao Tribe in Da Lat. In 1941, in the Da Phuoc ward area, Cao Dai followers here renovated the temple and built the Buddha Mother Shrine.

This is a prominent architectural work of Cao Dai religion in the city of Da Lat and was built 78 years ago. This place has undergone many historical events, it has been damaged and repaired many times to achieve its perfect appearance as it is today. Visitors to this place will be impressed by the splendid and delicate beauty of this architecture with 4 dragon pillars, 2 soaring bell towers, the Octagonal tower, etc. Every detail of this architecture is exquisite and perfect. The Da Lat Temple is built on a 10-hectare hill, 7 km east of the center of Da Lat city, surrounded by pine forests, making it both poetic and solemn. The temple area is over 1,627m² on a total area of 14,774m². It is the largest Cao Dai temple in Vietnam today and one of the largest religious establishments in Da Lat.

Address: Trai Mat, Ward 11, Da Lat, Lam Dong Province.

Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Dalat is situated atop Phoenix Mountain, offering a direct view of the serene and picturesque Tuyen Lam Lake. This is the largest Buddhist complex in the country and is also one of the three largest Zen monasteries in Vietnam under the Thien Yen Tu sect. According to records, in 1986, Venerable Thich Thanh Tu had a dream while sleeping, in which he embraced a phoenix bird and flew high into the sky. From this dream, he realized that Dalat was indeed suitable as a gathering place for monks - due to its favorable climate, nature, purity, and tranquility. A few days later, Thich Thanh Tu immediately sketched the plan for the monastery after surveying Phoenix Mountain. This Venerable Monk is also the one who came up with the idea, planned the monastery, and to this day, is the abbot of Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Dalat.

The monastery is structured into four main areas: the Abbot's hall, the internal monk quarters, the internal nun quarters, and the external quarters. Truc Lam Zen Monastery is located in an extremely strategic position, nestled against the mountain, overlooking the picturesque lake, only about 5km from the center of Dalat city towards Prenn Pass. Surrounding the monastery is a vast expanse of lush green pine forests, with a comfortable and cool atmosphere year-round. Upon arrival at Truc Lam Zen Monastery, you will be overwhelmed by the intricately carved reliefs surrounding the main hall, depicting the 8 manifestations of the Buddha and the eight auspicious symbols.

Address: Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ward 3, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province.

Not only listed among the top 10 beautiful architectural works in Dalat, Hang Nga Villa has also been voted by foreign press as one of the strangest architectural wonders in the world. The unique feature of this villa is that it does not belong to any architectural style but is entirely whimsical and innovative with details resembling nature such as caves, tree roots, or spider webs, and houses connected by winding paths creating the vividness of this architecture. Calling it a “house” is not entirely accurate because it's more of an eccentric architectural ensemble. This bizarre house has intrigued countless people who step in to explore, then proceed from one surprise to another because amidst the tree roots and cut stone slabs, humans can still create cozy, comfortable rooms, and even mysterious and enticing castles.

With its avant-garde architectural style, the castle looks like tree roots or parts of the bodies of wild animals hidden in the old forest. The oddly shaped protruding windows seem somewhat “unorganized” but upon closer inspection, they resemble the eyes of forest creatures, giving the feeling of being lost in a strange and mysterious forest. The rooms look like old, gnarled tree trunks, but in reality, the entire house is made of concrete and even has many fully equipped rooms like a luxury hotel. The idea for this quirky project partly comes from the beautiful scenery, fresh climate, gentle people, and the tranquility of Dalat, which have fueled the enthusiasm and passion for artistic architectural creation of Mrs. Dang Viet Nga.

Address: 03 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Ward 4, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province.

Dalat Railway Station is the train station of Dalat city. The station was built by the French from 1932 to 1938, then completed, as the terminal station on the 84 km Phan Rang-Dalat Railway. The station features a unique architectural style, with three pyramid-shaped roofs, resembling the three peaks of Langbiang Mountain or the communal houses of the Central Highlands. The station has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture - Information of Vietnam as a national cultural-historical relic. The station is now a popular tourist attraction in Dalat city. The only railway line that the station still serves is the Dalat City - Trai Mat route, 7 km long, taking tourists to Trai Mat and Linh Phuoc Pagoda.

The project was designed by two French architects, Moncet and Reveron. The construction was undertaken by contractor Vo Dinh Dung, with a construction cost of 200,000 francs. The shape of the station resembles the majestic Langbiang Mountain, with a length of 66.5m, a width of 11.4m, and a height of 11m. Comparatively, the architecture of Dalat Railway Station resembles the southern railway stations of France, with the protruding part from the roof and the recessed part at the base in a vertical direction. The station has 3 sharp peaks, symbolizing Langbiang Mountain - the highest peak in the region. There is also a large clock in front recording the time when Dr. Alexandre Yersin discovered Dalat. Currently, Dalat Station only serves tourism activities and is no longer used for passenger and freight transportation.

Address: Quang Trung Street, Ward 9, Dalat City, Lam Dong Province.

Dalat Biological Institute, also known as the Central Highlands Biological Institute, is one of the latest check-in spots for young people. Coming here, you not only get to explore and learn about the rare flora and fauna of the Lam Vien Plateau but also capture some mind-blowing virtual living photos. The role of the Dalat Biological Institute is to investigate and research the fauna and flora system of the Central Highlands. Protect and restore rare species. Gene sources, specimen storage, flora, and fauna. Researching scientific foundations for rational use and protection of Central Highlands biological resources. Applying modern biological methods in breeding and improving crops, livestock, and gene conservation. Constructing a Central Highlands plant gene bank.

The Dalat Biological Institute was built by the French in the 1950s, and one unique aspect is that the main construction material here is mostly stone. It features classic French architecture with many windows creating an ancient and mystical atmosphere. In the past, people came here only to explore and study various fauna and flora. But now, this place has become a trendy virtual living 'sanctuary' for young people. The old stone walls create a spooky feeling when you take photos here. Just choose the right angle, adjust the colors appropriately, and you'll surely have photos that look no different from being in a European church.

Address: 116, Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Ward 7, Da Lat City, Lam Dong.

Located on Tran Quang Dieu Street, southeast of Da Lat city center, about 4km away, is the I Mansion. Formerly owned by Robert Clément Bourgery, a French official, who noticed the beauty and tranquility of this place, King Bao Dai, the last king of the feudal dynasty of Vietnam, decided to buy and renovate this mansion back in August 1949, when he was serving as Prime Minister. With its ancient architectural style in the European neo-classical style enveloped by lush pine forests, the I Mansion stands proudly on a hill 1,550m high. Visitors will marvel at a beautiful and impressive architectural masterpiece.

This mansion is closely associated with King Bao Dai - the last king of the feudal dynasty of Vietnam. It is situated at a high position, 1550m above sea level, built amidst a picturesque and romantic natural landscape with pine forests and colorful flower gardens. The building features strong French architectural influences along with the modernity of European villas, with yellow being the dominant color of the house. Today, I Mansion has been renovated to serve tourists who come to visit and learn about the culture and history marked by King Bao Dai. In September 2015, 100% of the entrance fee to I Mansion was waived; stepping into October 2015, the ticket price was reduced by 50%. This is one of the ancient mansions in Da Lat preserved until today, allowing visitors to witness the continuity of history over time.

Address: 01 Tran Quang Dieu, Da Lat, Lam Dong.

Cam Ly Church, also known as Sơn Cước Church, features a roof inspired by the traditional Rong houses of the Central Highlands, creatively stylized for aesthetic appeal. The body of the church is designed in a modernized fashion, following French architecture, with stained glass panels to welcome sunlight, creating a mystical atmosphere and enhancing the beauty of the intricate patterns printed on these glass panels, appearing extremely unique and beautiful. The church was primarily built to serve the local indigenous people. As a priest who understood the life and cultural values of ethnic minorities, Father Boutary had a highly creative and daring idea to build a house of God for all people, both Christians and non-Christians who worshipped sacred figures before realizing they were God.

The idea is one thing, but perhaps the one who executes that idea is as precious as gold. With skillfulness, Father Boutary placed his trust in contractor Nguyen Thanh Ho to help him fulfill this wish. To provide the children of God with a sacred place to worship Him. The church's architecture is based on the imitation of the traditional Rong house of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands but is further studied and stylized artistically. The church's rectangular footprint is simple, with an area of 324 m2, of which 1/3 is allocated to the sanctuary and the remaining 2/3 is for the congregation to sit during Mass. Looking across the two church roofs resembles the blade, steeply rising 17m, with the roof covered by 80,000 tiles weighing a total of 90 tons.

Address: 11 Nguyen Khuyen Street, Ward 5, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province.