Dalat is no longer a new destination for travel enthusiasts, but I believe that each person visiting any city will have truly different experiences. This time, let's venture into Dalat with a distinctive 2-day experience away from the city center. Walk through the forest, dine under the trees, paddleboard on the lake, and camp amidst the vast sea of clouds on the tea hills.
Escape the hot sun of Saigon and the bustling noise, immerse yourself in the vast space of serene hills and mountains.
Traveling to Dalat
Dalat is approximately 350km away from Ho Chi Minh City. For the utmost convenience, we opted for Thanh Buoi's sleeper bus with prices starting from 200,000 VND per person. Alternatively, you can swiftly book a flight on the Mytour app to Lien Khuong Airport and reach the city center by bus or taxi.
Typically, the sleeper bus arrives in Dalat very early, around 2 – 3:00 am. You might feel exhausted without a place to rest. Choose cafes that stay open overnight and offer accommodation services, allowing you to get a good night's sleep before embarking on your Dalat exploration.
Exciting and Unique Experiences in Dalat
An all-inclusive experience at the Still Dalat complex
Our group explored the Still complex for breakfast and shopping. It's a fascinating and charming place, resembling a miniature street where you can find everything: breakfast eateries, cafes, pastry shops, souvenir stores, and many adorable things to keep you entertained for half a day.
A dining spot within the Still complex.
Camping Amidst the Tea Hills
Camping in Dalat is always a delightful experience due to the picturesque scenery and cool weather, perfect for outdoor activities, BBQ grills, and campfires with friends. If you're hesitant about preparing all the outdoor gear for camping, you can opt for services. Currently, Dalat offers numerous tour organizers for camping trips with various services and prices. Additionally, you can choose Glamping locations - a more 'luxurious' form of camping. For this outing, we chose Cloud View Glamping & Camping to avoid carrying too much equipment. We opted for glamping at 1,200,000 VND per person in a Mongolian-style tent, inclusive of buffet-style BBQ and breakfast.
Camping Area.
One of the best things about choosing to stay away from the city center is the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere. Nestled amidst tea hills, this place offers a stunning view for sightseeing, strolling, and photography. If there's a light rain the evening before, you'll witness the enchanting sea of clouds in the evening and the next morning. Our group was fortunate to witness both the sunrise and sunset, painting the sky with vibrant colors amid the floating sea of clouds.
Leisurely waiting for the sunrise.
The sun amidst the sea of clouds at the camping site.
Leisurely sitting, enjoying the drifting clouds in the valley is a truly wonderful feeling.
Strolling under the Pine Tree Canopies.
The 'specialty' of Dalat is the endless pine forests. If you want to savor the fresh air, try opting for hiking or trekking through the woods, under the whispering pine branches. The swaying pine trees in the breeze provide a soothing experience for the soul. The gentle scent of the pine forest brings a feeling of freshness and comfort. So, if you're facing health issues like mild asthma, headaches, fatigue, a leisurely walk in the pine forest can greatly relax your body.
Hiking under the whispering pine canopies is an outdoor activity cherished by many.
If you don't have much time for an extensive trekking trip, you can opt for shorter routes. Alternatively, simply ride a motorbike to the pine forest, bring a mat and some light snacks, then start walking. Choose a suitable spot to sit, and enjoy your meal.
Dalat's specialty lies in its vast pine forests.
The winding trails leading into the enchanting pine forests are incredibly enticing.
Paddleboarding on Tuyen Lam Lake.
Another exciting experience when staying outside the city is paddleboarding on the lakes. With picturesque landscapes, Dalat is an ideal place for enjoyable paddleboarding and sightseeing. Our group rented paddleboarding services from Dalat Discovery and paddled on Tuyen Lam Lake.
Paddleboarding is a truly enjoyable activity.
If you're with a large group, paddleboarding is a fun and joyful activity to bond the team spirit. Don't worry if you're a beginner; you'll receive careful instructions and wear a life jacket before hitting the water. Relax, paddle gently, and enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of the lake. It will be a tranquil and memorable experience for you.
Paddleboarding with your friends brings joyful experiences.
Paddleboarding on Tuyen Lam Lake in the gentle evening.
Some considerations
Mytour Golocal is a blog program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam under the Mytour Go & Share initiative. It's a fantastic opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a Mytour Contributor. Details about the program can be found at: https://trv.lk/golocal