Dalat – a charming mountain resort in southern Vietnam, full of attractions worth discovering. What to do and see during your visit to Dalat? Here is a guide to help you make the most of your time in this 100-year-old French colonial town.
While researching attractions in Dalat, I spent a lot of time selecting from the very long list of “best things to do in Dalat” found in various popular guides. Unfortunately, in Vietnam, most Google reviews are fake. When looking for things to do and see in Dalat, I recommend reading the negative reviews first, as they are the only reliable hints.
Many places recommended on TripAdvisor, travel blogs, and social media are disappointing. Why? Because most photos show one beautiful shot that doesn’t reflect reality at all, leading to disappointment on arrival. That’s why I present below a short but honest and personally verified list of the best things to do in Dalat. Places worth including in your travel itinerary.
Remember, everyone has their own opinion – these are just my suggestions.
1. Liên Hoa Bakery - the best Banh Mi in Dalat and... Vietnam!
Hours: 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Rating: 9/10
Location: here
Type: restaurant
I started exploring Dalat by compiling a list of restaurants, including those serving legendary Banh Mi. That’s where I discovered a gem – Liên Hoa Bakery, a spot popular among locals that I visited almost every morning.
Every region in Vietnam serves its own version of Banh Mi. After visiting Saigon, Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Phong Nha, I can confidently say that Dalat serves the best baguettes I’ve ever had. They offer 8 varieties, priced between 20,000–30,000 VND (0.8–1.2 USD). My favorites are the ones with omelet and grilled pork.
Besides bread, there are many additional options, both sweet and savory. However, it turns out that in this part of Vietnam, adding cheese to both versions is popular, which didn’t quite suit my taste buds.
Unfortunately, Google reviews are very mixed, but I wholeheartedly stand by these baguettes. A must-visit spot in Dalat.
2. Horizon Coffee Dalat - a café with a mountain view
Hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Rating: 8/10
Location: here
Type: café / viewpoint
Where to start exploring Dalat after enjoying the best baguettes in the region? I invite you for a morning coffee at Horizon Coffee, a café located on a hill with a beautiful view of the mountains and valley. The place is slightly “worn by time,” but it still retains its charm.
The café is also home to a hostel popular among backpackers, so for those interested – beautiful views at a low price!
Datanla Complex – nature and tourist adventures near Dalat city center
After your first coffee (or green tea), it’s time for the first place to visit! Just 10 minutes from the center, you’ll find a complex offering a long list of outdoor activities!
Datanla complex, where you can enjoy the following tourist adventures:
- waterfall
- alpine coaster
- cable car
- zipline
- waterfall climbing
Each attraction in the complex is geographically independent, so the complex is divided into several unconnected zones, and you cannot move freely between them.
3. Datanla Waterfall
Hours: 7:15 AM – 5:00 PM
Rating: 8/10
Location: here
Cost and tickets: 50k VND (2 USD)
Type: nature
Entrance to the waterfall costs 50,000 VND (2 USD), and reaching it involves about a 15-minute trek surrounded by well-maintained nature, with alpine coaster tracks above and below you.
I recommend visiting this place before 10:00 AM when it’s less crowded.
4. Alpine Coaster | Dalat
Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Rating: 8/10
Location: here
Cost and tickets: 130k – 250k VND (5.50 – 10 USD)
Type: sports attraction
One of the most popular attractions in Vietnam. The ride takes about 10–15 minutes, depending on the speed, which you can control yourself. The entire experience is surrounded by nature and beautiful views.
For the alpine coaster, there are three height levels for the descent (with slightly different prices). When purchasing a ticket, you can choose between a one-way or round-trip ride.
I recommend the one-way option and walking back, as the return ride is very slow and boring – no fun being pulled up by the lift.
I can confidently say that the entire infrastructure and service of the alpine coaster were of a high standard, and I felt very safe.
5. Cable Car in Dalat
Hours: 07:30 – 11:45 | 13:00 – 16:45
Rating: 10/10
Location: here
Cost and tickets: 150k VND (6 USD)
Type: sports attraction
As I mentioned, the Datanla complex also offers a cable car. For 150k VND (6 USD), you get a direct ride to the Thien Bien Truc Lam Temple and back (a slightly cheaper one-way option is also available). The one-way trip takes about 10 minutes, and each cabin fits up to 4 people. Beautiful views, definitely worth it.
For the return trip with a round-trip ticket, you’ll need to present the previously scanned ticket again, so remember to keep it.
At the same time, you don’t need to worry about timing, as you can freely explore the temple complex.
At the terminal tower, there’s the Glass Garden – the ticket is cheap, but it’s not worth it – just pieces of glass stuck in the ground.
6. Zipline in Dalat
Hours: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: here
Cost and tickets: 1000k VND (40 USD)
Type: sports attraction
The complex also features a zipline, but due to the weather (rainy season) and the relatively high price, I decided to skip it. Regarding online reviews, I also had mixed feelings, as many people pointed out the unprofessional attitude of the staff – so please decide for yourself if it’s worth it.
7. Canyoning - Harness climbing over Datanla Waterfall
Hours: ?
Location: here
Cost: 2500k VND (100 USD)
Type: sports attraction
The last attraction on the Datanla list — harness climbing over the waterfall. Unfortunately, I didn’t try it, but even during the rainy season, I saw daredevils who did.
It’s up to you to evaluate and decide.
8. Destiny Coffee Farm - coffee plantation tour
Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Rating: 7/10
Location: here
Cost: free
Type: nature
For the next day, I recommend visiting Mr. Bean’s coffee farm – a local farmer running an eco-friendly coffee plantation. The host is an energetic enthusiast of his work, who will meet with you for a 30-minute session without prior appointment to explain the process of growing, harvesting, and processing coffee beans. The visit is free, so I recommend buying something as a token of appreciation – I suggest the coffee fruit tea!
9. Happy Hill Coffee - lakeside complex with treehouses
Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Rating: 10/10
Location: here
Cost: included in the order
Type: nature
Since Vietnam thrives on coffee, you can never have too much energy. Time for my favorite gidden gem! A vast lakeside complex about 25 minutes from the city center. I discovered the place by accident, driving to a viewpoint in the area, which turned out to be permanently closed.
If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll love it because Happy Hill – as the name suggests – will keep them entertained for hours. The site features numerous rope constructions, creating a multi-level treehouse experience. Beautiful views, well-maintained nature – numerous gardens, including Dalat’s famous chrysanthemums, and most importantly – complete peace and quiet. The prices are reasonable, so you can also grab a bite here.
Fantastic!
10. Pongour Waterfall - the largest waterfall in the region
Hours: ?
Rating: 8/10
Location: here
Cost: 50k VND (2 USD)
Type: nature
Time for another hidden gem of Dalat – a trip outside the city, about an hour southwest. The distance is significant, but despite the back pain from (in total) 2 hours of travel, I was very satisfied.
This is the largest waterfall in the region and has its own unique charm. However, before reaching the waterfall, look for a barely visible path to a viewpoint on the hill, which almost no one notices. Honestly, it’s the highlight of the trip! As you pass the first viewpoint, continue on and walk further into the depths until you reach a neglected mezzanine encased in bamboo – from here you have a beautiful view of the waterfall and the surrounding area! I spent a full hour in this place alone. Only later go down to admire the waterfall up close.
11. Bee Garden - local apiary near Pongour Waterfall
Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Rating: 7/10
Location: here
Cost: free
Type: attraction
On your way back from Pongour Waterfall, don’t forget to hook up with a local apiary with natural products. The very kind o sociable owner will be happy to show you around and tell you about honey production by… Italian bees in exile!
12. An - Tuyền Lâm - lakeside café
Hours: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Rating: 7/10
Location: here
Type: café
If you haven’t overdosed on caffeine yet, I recommend going to Tuyen Lam Lake one morning
and An-Tuyền Lâm cafe.
A super place to have a moment with a book.
Attractions for "killing time"
Below are two additional attractions that didn’t impress me, so I wouldn’t recommend them over the others.
However, if you have nothing else to do at the moment, you can check them off. 🙂
Old Train Station in Dalat
Hours: ?
Rating: 6/10
Location: here
Cost: 50k VND (2 USD)
Type: attraction
Unfortunately, the station isn’t very impressive, with literally one restored train surrounded by numerous vendors… The entrance fee is low, so if you have nothing planned for the day, you can visit, but please lower your expectations to the bare minimum and consider it more as a “killing time” option.
House of a Hundred Roofs - Nhà trăm nóc
Hours: ?
Rating: 6/10
Location: here
Cost: 50k VND (2 USD)
Type: architecture
A very small complex located on a hill. As the name suggests, it features an architectural curiosity – a building with 100 roofs. However, the only things I liked here were the views along the way and on-site – a very nice, well-maintained pond with fish.
