Da Lat City Travel Package Tours, Da Lat Tour Information Hotels, Lam Dong Travel Vietnam Map Guide

DA LAT OVERVIEW

The hill station of Dalat is located in Lam Dong province, approximately 300 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. Da Lat city is probably one of Vietnam's most well known vacation destination. Since the turn of the century, Da Lat has been the vacation spot for well-to-do vietnamese and foreigners. It is the unofficial honeymoon mecca of Vietnam. Located on Lám Viên (Langbian) high lands, part of the greater Central high lands of Vietnam (Cao Nguyen Trung Phan), the city is 1500 m above sea level and is 305 km from Saigon. The name Da Lat originates from the hill tribe people in this region. It literally means Stream of the Lat people.
The first person to explore this region was Mr. Nguyen Thong. Approximately 25 years later, in 1893, Dr. Yersin, a French immunologist discovered Dankia high lands while on an expedition to the Langbian high lands. Dankia is 10 km from the city of Dalat. This region reminded Dr. Yersin of his homeland, and particularly the similarities between Dalat's evergreen forests and those in the Swiss Alps. He recommended the government to form a resort town with health spas for government officials and foreign dignitaries. Established in 1912, the city quickly became a popular destination for Europeans seeking a cool retreat from the oppressive heat of the coastal plains and the Mekong Delta. Many old art deco French villas, which look suitable for elaborate costume parties, and newer constructions of the same style dot the streets. Dalat, which means ‘River of the Lat Tribe,’ is home to 125,000 residents, which include about 500 members of ethno-linguistic hill tribes. The city has many natural and artificial lakes such as Ho Xuan Huong, Than Tho, Da Thien, and Tuyen Lam bordered by lines of pine trees, which are a well-known feature of Dalat. A trip to Dalat is not complete until one goes to the Dalat Flower Gardens. The temperate climate of Dalat is suitable for flowers such as orchids, roses, lilies, and camellias. Nowadays, tourists not only limit themselves to Dalat; they also visit Lang Bian Mountains, the highest peak at 2,165 m and some ethnic minorities.