Buzz
Choosing the perfect time to visit Da Lat is a common question for many, as everyone desires to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of this dreamy city. Da Lat is most stunning during winter - around late December, when the weather is delightful and the natural scenery is at its most splendid. This is the festive season, so a city with European charm like Da Lat is also perfect for experiencing a memorable Christmas and New Year.
Travel to Da Lat in winter to witness vibrant sunsets.
Winter is the most beautiful season in Da Lat.
Towards the end of November, the weather in Da Lat gradually becomes less rainy, with clear skies and temperatures ranging from 10 to 21 degrees Celsius. By December, Da Lat will experience many sunny days, each adorned with stunning sunsets. The peak time is perhaps during the transition from winter to spring (from December to January), when the weather is delightful and cherry blossoms flourish along the streets. However, traveling to Da Lat in January requires careful consideration and preparation as it is a peak tourist season. Therefore, if you prefer a more leisurely experience, it's advisable to visit towards the end of December!
Winter in Da Lat heralds the blossoming of Bauhinia flowers against the backdrop of azure skies.
The weather is delightful, with the sky always adorned in a beautiful shade of blue.
Weather and fashion recommendations
Winter weather in Da Lat is notably chilly, especially with strong winds due to its mountainous terrain. This is the perfect time to flaunt stylish winter attire! Ideal clothing for this season includes trench coats, wool jackets, thick blazers, basically layered fashion that provides optimal warmth and looks fabulous. If you're sensitive to the cold, it's advisable to pack hand warmers, gloves, knit scarves, and beanies to keep yourself snug. While midday on sunny days might feel a bit warm (around 21 degrees Celsius), don't let that deceive you because nights can get really cold!
The best part about traveling to Da Lat is dressing up in cozy outfits that are also adorable.
Winter experiences in Da Lat
Witnessing sunsets – the winter specialty of Da Lat at A Dopo Coffee
Address: 32/2 3 Thang 4 Street, Da Lat
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Price range: From 45,000 VND
A Dopo, meaning 'Later' in Italian, signifies a promise to meet again someday soon. This café presents a fresh perspective on contemporary Da Lat, boasting trendy décor and a cozy atmosphere, along with delicious coffee to savor. The highlight of A Dopo is its charming backyard offering breathtaking views of Da Lat sunsets. Notably, the beverages here are exceptional; be sure to try the salted caramel coffee or salted milk tea!
The venue features a simple yet elegantly decorated space.
The major highlight is the sunset viewing experience.
A Dopo offers numerous Instagram-worthy spots for group photos.
The interior space is minimalist, adorned with photographs capturing the essence of Da Lat.
Indulge in European cuisine in the cozy and romantic atmosphere of Moon Dining.
Address: 01 Ha Huy Tap, with car parking area. It's recommended to make a reservation in advance for the best experience.
Price range: From 200,000 VND
Moon Dining is a restaurant with a beautiful location and a design perfectly suited for romantic dates during this season. The charmingly decorated space is just right for a small restaurant in Da Lat, and the seats facing the old Palace hotel offer a priceless view. As for the menu, Moon boasts a rich selection of wines that complement the dishes here. The beef steak and especially the sauces are the highlights. The prices are reasonable considering the quality of food and the service is relatively decent. During the day, from 7 am to around 4 pm, Moon opens for simple coffee and tea. From 4 pm onwards, it transforms into a cozy and slightly glamorous dining space.
Moon Dining is a delightful restaurant in Da Lat.
Moon is perfect for a romantic date night.
Enjoy delicious tea and pastries at Blue Dream Bread bakery.
Address: 172b Phu Dong Thien Vuong Street
Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM, booking in advance is required on the last two weekends
Price range: Starting from approximately 40,000 VND
Blue Dream Bread is an incredibly renowned bakery in Da Lat, especially during the Christmas season. They adore Christmas decorations, so the entire space is adorned with dazzling and cozy holiday hues. However, this bakery isn't just about ambiance; the pastries here are also scrumptious, arguably the best in Da Lat! Sitting amidst the Christmas atmosphere of Blue Dream Bread, with the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the air, is enough to melt even the most hardened hearts. Nearly all the pastries here are delicious, but I recommend trying the carrot cake, croissant, and red velvet cake—they're not overly sweet, very soft, and incredibly fragrant.
Blue Dream Bread - the perfect choice for Christmas in Da Lat
Adorable Christmas decorations at Blue Dream Bread
With its charming space and delicious pastries, no wonder Blue Dream Bread always attracts visitors in Da Lat.
Strolling along Xuan Huong Lake
Xuan Huong Lake, the 'heart' of Da Lat city, is already a familiar place. However, during the winter and spring seasons, you'll discover many interesting aspects of this lake. For instance, waking up early for a jog around the lake allows you to admire a serene Da Lat amidst the morning mist, with flowers and grass along the lake emitting a gentle fragrance. Alternatively, in the late afternoon, you can take a leisurely stroll near Xuan Huong coffee or on the opposite side (near the golf course). At 5:30 PM every day, you'll witness a stunning Da Lat sunset from that spot.
Early morning at Xuan Huong Lake, Da Lat
The enchanting sight of Xuan Huong Lake at sunset
You can also set up a small picnic by the lake with specialties of Da Lat such as fruit wine, chocolate, and fresh fruits
Stroll around the old villa streets and await a vibrant flower season
One of the activities that many young people in Da Lat love is admiring the old villas. Da Lat is a city that still preserves many old French villas with extremely beautiful and admirable architecture. Along the streets like Tran Hung Dao, Hung Vuong, Hoang Dieu, Co Giang,... or simply strolling on any street in Da Lat, you can encounter many stunning spaces. Experiencing the most beautiful season in Da Lat is not necessarily about going to famous places or tourist destinations, but you can find many beautiful things through spontaneous walks.
Old villas are one of the factors that contribute to the outstanding architectural beauty of Da Lat.
French architecture is still evident in the old villas of Da Lat.
Just taking a stroll reveals many beautiful spots in Da Lat.
This is also the time when cherry blossoms and apricot blossoms begin to bloom along streets such as Quang Trung, Xuan Huong, Tran Hung Dao, Hung Vuong. So, simply taking a stroll might unexpectedly lead to sweet results like encountering blooming trees. Traveling to Da Lat in winter is definitely a trip you should try at least once in your life!
Author: Le Vu Tu Uyen (Chiaki)
*Article participating in Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blog writing program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, under the framework of the Mytour Go & Share program. This is a great opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each article meeting the requirements, you will receive 800,000 VND and the opportunity to become a contributor with Mytour. For detailed information about the program, see: https://trv.lk/golocal
