Dalat
By Evi Goossens, a travel storyteller, certified tour guide, and photographer from The Netherlands. Updated November 2024
Reading time: 8 min
Top 5 things to do in Dalat
Dalat is a mountain village in the south of Vietnam. As I looked out the window of my bus, I briefly thought I had arrived in a German mountain village, but with Vietnamese people on scooters. It is nothing I had seen before in Vietnam, that’s why it took me off guard a little bit. Dalat is a great city to stop in; there's plenty to do, and it's a nice place to relax and recover from traveling.
If you're coming from Hoi An, you've probably already had quite a long bus ride. However, if you're coming from Ho Chi Minh City, you'll reach Dalat in just a few hours. No matter how you've arrived, you're here now! You can also fly to Dalat if you want to skip the bus ride and your budget allows it.
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Crazy house
Maze bar
Explore the area around Dalat
Wine tours in Dalat
Datanla Falls
Crazy house
The Crazy House, also known as Hang Nga House, is a must-see during your visit to Dalat! It was designed by the Vietnamese architect Đặng Việt Nga. As you walk through it, you’ll notice that it’s a work of art, and you might even get a little lost at times. There are various passages, stairs, and paths that lead in all sorts of directions. Personally, it reminded me a bit of Gaudi’s house in Barcelona, but it’s still quite different. If you can’t get enough of visiting the Crazy House, you also have the option to spend a night there!
Maze Bar
If you want to have a drink in the city at a unique spot, this is the place to be! The Maze Bar is designed by the same architect as the Crazy House, and you can tell. You can walk through various stairs, corridors, and routes to different areas, and I must say, sometimes it's really a challenge to find the bar or the restroom. So make sure you have a good look around before you drink too much and can't find your way back.
Not only is this a fun bar to explore, but it's also a popular spot for backpackers where you can have a drink together while overlooking the city of Dalat. Additionally, the bar staff often organizes themed nights and even small scavenger hunts for a bottle of alcohol. The Maze Bar closes early, but there are taxis waiting to take you to the next club a bit further in the city. There, you take the elevator up to continue dancing and drinking.
Explore the area around Dalat
The area around Dalat is incredibly beautiful, featuring various parks with sculptures, flowers, lakes, and even vineyards. Rent a scooter to see all these places! Be cautious when driving in the city, as it can be quite busy. Once you're in the outskirts, traffic is lighter, making it easier to drive around. If you're uncomfortable on a scooter, ask your hostel/hotel about the cost of a taxi for the day and find some people to share the expenses with!
Wine tours in Dalat
Dalat is renowned not only for its flowers but also for its wine. There are a variety of tours and guided visits available, making it a great option for a day trip from Dalat. I’ve personally tasted Vietnamese wine, and it has a unique flavor compared to European wines. If you’re interested, it’s definitely worth seeing how the Vietnamese produce their wine here in Dalat!
Datanla Falls
If you're feeling tired of the city, grab a taxi and head out into nature! About 20 minutes from the city, there's a park where you can do all sorts of activities. For instance, you can choose to ride a toboggan through the woods. At some point, you'll arrive at a spot with various games like archery or shooting with a rifle. Walk a bit further, and you'll see the beautiful waterfall. You can wander around the square before taking the toboggan back up.
Additionally, this park offers abseiling, canyoning, and even a climbing park. There's plenty to do! Keep in mind that activities like canyoning can be quite pricey, costing around 80 US dollars.
Where to stay
One of the best hostels I've ever stayed in is definitely Mooka's Hostel in Dalat. It's an affordable hostel that includes breakfast, and the owners are incredibly friendly! They regularly organize family dinners where you can enjoy the view, delicious food, and great company with other backpackers on the rooftop terrace. It's super clean and centrally located in the city. I can't recommend this hostel enough!
Book your hostel: https://www.hostelworld.com
In Dalat, there are a few indoor shopping centers. They offer clothes as well as food items. It's fun to browse around, but the clothing often runs small since the Vietnamese have a different body build compared to Europeans.
Where to shop
There are a few places in Dalat where you absolutely must eat if you’re there! The first place is Quán Cơm Ngon Hùng Nhất Ly. I have to say, I had already been in Vietnam for a month, but these were the best spring rolls I’d ever had! I stumbled upon this little restaurant by chance, which is always fun.
The other place is called Primavera Italian Restaurant, where you can eat the best pizzas. If you’re not in the mood for typical Vietnamese food, you can get a real Italian pizza here. A few months before I went to Vietnam, I was in Italy, and even there, I didn't have such delicious pizza. The restaurant is located in the middle of Dalat and has an Italian owner. The pizzas are made in a wood-fired oven, which makes them even more delicious!
Where to eat
Of course, the Maze Bar! As I mentioned above, this is a lively bar where many backpackers come together, and there's plenty to do. It's also convenient that when the Maze Bar closes, transportation is arranged to take you to the next club that's still open for a while.
