Buzz
Embark on a journey of self-discovery amidst the picturesque landscapes of Da Lat with this detailed itinerary by Bich Phuong.
Unveiling the Charms of a Solo Expedition in Da Lat
There's a myriad of things I want to experience before turning 25, and one of them is traveling solo. It's not because I lack companions, but after numerous trips with friends, I yearn to unravel the essence of solitary travel. Is it truly as lonely as people say? Can I withstand more than a day alone, or will I hastily retreat to Saigon, succumbing to melancholy? It was a late April day, burdened with nameless sorrows and incessant troubles, that I felt the urge to wander solo. But where to? Hue, Ha Giang, or perhaps abroad? Then it dawned on me—it's been too long since I roamed amidst pine forests, sipped coffee atop hills overlooking cities. And yes, you guessed it right, I'm heading to Da Lat—solo.
As an avid admirer of romance, this piece shall exude no less. I firmly believe that after reading my narrative, you'll courageously grab your backpack and set off, be it to Da Lat or elsewhere. For traveling alone is not as daunting as perceived. The people we meet, the places we tread—they all become indelible memories.
Opting for a midweek escapade, for Da Lat is serene during weekdays, and it's precisely then that Da Lat embodies its true essence—a notion cherished by wanderers like myself.
Join me as I unveil my 3-day, 2-night itinerary from May 13th to 15th, costing a mere 1200k VND. This article is quite extensive, as it encompasses my emotions and thoughts about this journey. Hence, I hope everyone will read through to the last line.
Sleeper Bus: I opted for Thanh Binh Xanh bus service (Binh Duong – Da Lat). This is my 4th time using their service, and I'm highly satisfied. The usual fare is 180k VND, but students pay only 100k VND. I booked my tickets 4 days in advance, for both ways. Departure from Binh Duong is at 9 PM, reaching Suoi Tien by 10 PM, and arriving in Da Lat by 3 AM. On my return journey, I took the 12 PM bus from Da Lat, reaching Saigon by 7 PM. Despite the low price, the service quality is on par with major bus companies.
Accommodation: I chose Woodstock Hostel Dalat (80 Bui Thi Xuan), priced at 215k VND for 2 nights inclusive of breakfast. I opted for a 4-bed dorm room. Since I traveled midweek, the entire 4-bed room was mine.
Motorbike Rental: I rented from Mr. Vu (0925521779), whose service is exceptional. Every time I visit Da Lat, I rent from him. The rental price is 100k VND/day for automatic scooters (Vision, Airblade new models), and 70k VND for manual scooters. All bikes are in excellent condition, fuel-efficient, and delivered to your location.
Day 1: Truc Lam Zen Monastery – The Nostalgic Cafe – Long's Steamed Rice Cake with Chicken – Peaceful Garden – Domain de Marie Church – Puppy Farm – Quirky Cafe – Cafe Thang 3 – Chinese Noodles Shop – Sense Coffee Acoustic. I arrived at 3 AM, paid an early check-in fee of 50k VND, rested, and started my journey at 7 AM.
I reached my destination at 3 AM, paid a 50k VND early check-in fee, rested, and embarked on my journey at 7 AM.
Couldn't find Cô Lan's crab noodle soup spot, so decided to wander around with an empty stomach.
First stop: Truc Lam Zen Monastery. I strolled around the premises, breathed in the fresh air—something you can't easily find in Saigon. Then, I headed down to Tuyen Lam Lake for a bit before returning. (Free admission, free parking)
The Nostalgic Cafe: Ideal for those seeking tranquility. Drinks here have no fixed price; you pay based on your satisfaction. The ambiance is incredibly soothing, with cozy decor, soft music, and gentle aroma of essential oils.
Back to the city center for lunch – Long's Steamed Rice Cake with Chicken (30k VND), then back to the hostel to rest and prepare for the afternoon.
Peaceful Garden: A café that needs no introduction. When I visited, it was unusually quiet, just me and the staff. I ordered a refreshing peach lemongrass tea, and oh my, it was divine! (45k VND)
A visit to Peaceful Garden wouldn't be complete without stopping by Domain de Marie Church. (Free entry)
Puppy Farm: Here, it's only 5k for parking, and the rest is for free exploration. The staff seemed quite annoyed here. The farm is spacious, with a flower garden outside. (Just to add, when I checked online, it seemed like the entrance fee was 30k, plus additional charges, but when I arrived, they only charged me 5k for parking. I asked the ticket counter twice, and they let me in anyway. Perhaps they mistook me for another group.)
Cheo Veo Cafe: Romantic, peaceful, and chill—that's what I felt about this cafe. I ordered a cup of ginger tea and sat on the balcony, admiring the valley as the sun slowly set. Suddenly, I forgot all the troubles of the past days, feeling light-hearted and joyful. (35k)
Thang 3 Cafe: Tucked in a corner of Dong Da Street, this place mainly serves coffee with fewer drink options compared to others. However, the cozy ambiance and layout make you feel extremely comfortable. I chose an espresso and sat on the balcony, overlooking the city. The bitter yet fragrant taste of the coffee, with a hint of sweetness added, was delightful, especially if you're not used to drinking espresso. (45k)
In the evening, I had Hu Tieu at Tàu Cao noodle shop (50k) before returning to my room to prepare for the next outing.
Both evenings, I visited Sense Coffee Acoustic to enjoy some music. Drinks here are under 50k, with an additional 30k cover charge. The band played excellently, and the cafe hosts live music every day from 8 PM to 10 PM. It's an ideal spot for acoustic enthusiasts. Instead of strolling through markets or squares, I prefer these cozy corners, listening to music, sipping on a hot cocoa, and reflecting on my day's journey.
Day 2: Lệ Pancakes – Moc Tra Farm – Linh Phuoc Pagoda – Tui Mo To Cafe – Still Cafe – Dalat University – Hai Anh Coffee – Sense Coffee Acoustic
First off, I must confess I'm a die-hard fan of Bánh Căn. I could eat it three times a day, but since the shop only operates twice a day, I had to settle for something else for lunch. I've tried Bánh Căn in many places, but Bánh Căn Lệ suits my taste buds the best. The lady running the place is adorable, but it gets crowded real quick. You gotta go early to avoid long waits. (35k)
Mộc Trà Farm: On the way to Cau Dat Tea Hill, you'll pass by Mộc Trà Farm. It's a small house overlooking the tea hills. This time, it was just me and the owner, so it felt like I owned the place. I opted for fruit yogurt, and oh my, it's my new love! So delicious! (35k)
Linh Phuoc Pagoda: On my way back, I stopped by Linh Phuoc Pagoda. The pagoda and its spacious grounds with stunning architecture left me in awe. It's so beautiful here; I couldn't stop gaping. They don't charge for parking here; you pay as you please.
Túi Mơ To Cafe: I arrived at the cafe around noon, and it was still packed. I sat in the garden, overlooking the houses below, sipping on milk coffee, then took a stroll around the cafe. One of the staff, noticing I was alone, asked if I was from Da Lat. They were surprised to learn I came from Saigon alone, and we ended up having a lovely chat. (45k)
I was planning to head back to the hostel for a rest when it started pouring rain, so I dashed into Still Cafe without having anything to eat or drink.
Still Cafe: Inside Still, I ordered a cup of hot cocoa with a slice of cake. I sat there, listening to music, watching the rain outside the window. The cozy atmosphere made me feel so comfortable. When the rain eased off, I stepped outside for a quick photo before heading to Dalat University.
Gotta say, Dalat University campus is massive! Took a stroll around, the scenery is stunning, totally worth wandering around. But it's so vast, and my stomach was growling, so I decided to head out to grab something to eat. Managed to cover only about a third of the distance.
Hai A Coffee: From Dalat University, along Hung Vuong Street to Trại Mát roundabout, I stopped by Hai A Coffee. The view from up there overlooking the houses was breathtaking. I arrived around 5 PM, sat back, enjoyed the sunset, watched the houses light up, then headed back. The coffee here is delicious, and the prices are cheaper compared to other places. The owner and I have similar music taste, she played all my favorite songs, so I just chilled, watched time pass, feeling the cold setting in. The cafe has three adorable staff, sometimes very friendly with customers, sometimes completely indifferent, can't even respond when called, which got them scolded by the owner. Then they just went to a corner and laid down, oh dear, felt sorry for them.
For dinner, it's back to Bánh Căn.
In the evening, returned to the familiar spot – Sense Coffee Acoustic, listened to music, had coffee.
Day 3: Exploring the City
On my last day in Dalat, I decided to take a stroll around the city center, Xuan Huong Lake, Lam Vien Square, and Dalat Market. By this day, the city was bustling with people, everywhere crowded and lively, reminding me of the past two days. After wandering for a while, gazing at the clouds in the sky, I returned to the hostel to pack up for the 12 PM pickup. And thus concludes my travel journey.
People might wonder who took my pictures, right? Well, all the photos were self-taken because it's quite deserted during the weekdays, so finding someone to take a photo would be difficult. Hence, I managed it myself with my trusty tripod. I used my iPhone for photography and did some light editing directly on my phone.
Oh, and by the way, every time I come to Dalat, I always venture far and wide, to places like Tuyen Lam Lake, Trại Mát, Khe Sanh, Cam Ly, just because I love the feeling of riding amidst pine forests, along winding roads, enjoying the wind on my face, singing along the way, all by myself.
The whole trip was a blast, but there were moments when suddenly I felt really sad, heavy-hearted, realizing that I have to leave this city again, not knowing when I'll be back. There are still many things waiting for me in Saigon, so I have to go back. Until next time, Dalat.
And as I mentioned, this trip helped me rediscover my true self, who I am, what I really desire. I discovered more about myself than I have in a long time. I was able to let go of unnecessary things that I've been holding onto, things that didn't bring me joy. Thank you, Dalat, thank you to all the places I visited, the lovely people I met, the conversations between two strangers that felt so familiar. Thank you all!!!
By Bích Phương
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourSeptember 15, 2020
