DALAT

Lovely nestled in an area of 300 square kilometres on a plateau dotted with lakes and waterfalls and surrounded by pine forests, Dalat, once was called Le Petit Paris by French, is  one of the most poetic and loveliest towns in Vietnam. Dalat was founded in 1917 on Lang Biang Plateau, which was discovered by Dr. Alexandre Yersin in 1893. All kinds of European fruits and  vegetables can be well planted here.  Nowadays, Dalat still remains an European appearance by its small villas built by the French. In Dalat, riding on a bicycle through the narrow snaky roads winding the hills to visit the gardens with a variety of beautiful flowers and vegetables, and to poetic lakes, waterfalls, the Cathedral, ancient palaces, the hill-sided Linh Son Pagoda or the romantic Valley of Love is really interesting. Dalat is also favourable for its tranquil beauty and temperate climate that makes it the "City of Eternal Spring".

 

Dalat's Ethnic Minority Museum

Dalat’s Ethnic Minority Museum may be a must for anyone when  visiting this city of flowers. Exhibits include traditional costumes, ornaments, jewellery, basket ware, hunting implements and interesting musical instruments. The museum’s archaeological display features a statue of the Hindu goddess; Uma, 12th and 14th Cham pottery vases, rice wine jars of over 200 years old, an unusual stone xylophone and tools used in the province over 1,500 years ago. The curator of the museum is a wealth of information on the minorities.

 

Xuan Huong Lake

Xuan Huong Lake, formerly part of the town’s golf course during the colonial era, is a beautiful lake lying in the heart of the town. The surrounding hills of pine forests and ancient villas are mirrored in its still waters. Walking along the pines-shaded path around the lake or pedalling swan boats on it is joyful for visitors and lovers. In front of the lake are Orchid Gardens which were established in 1966.

 

Dalat Flower Park

Dalat Flower Park is regionally famous for its diversified species of flowers. It is considered as a natural museum housing a fine collection of native and exotic flowers. The park comprises at least 300 different kinds of flowers, hundreds of them are in blossom all year round.

 
Prenn Waterfalls
Enclosed within the thousand flowers valley and pine-clad hills, the Prenn Falls is one of the biggest and most beautiful falls in Dalat area. Prenn Waterfall consists of a 15-metre free fall over a wide rock outcrop. A path goes under the outcrop affording a view of the pool and surrounding rainforest through the curtain of falling water. Apart from the Prenn Falls, visitors can also enjoy the wonderful scenery of other numerous waterfalls which are scattered around Dalat and Lam Dong Province.