Da Lat: top things to do, hidden gems and key tips

Give Da Lat two days and stay near Xuan Huong Lake, the centre of the city. Fly to Lien Khuong airport, 30 km south, or take a bus from Nha Trang. Come in the dry season, from November to April; December to March is the best stretch.1Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel

How long have you got?

• One day: Xuan Huong Lake, the Crazy House and the central market.
• Two days: add Datanla and Linh Phuoc Pagoda, or hike Langbiang.
• Three days: add the gardens and farms.

When are you going?

• November: wild sunflowers bloom along the hills in late autumn.2Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel
• December: the 11th Da Lat Flower Festival runs from 19 to 31 December 2026, with the opening ceremony at Lam Vien Square on the evening of the 19th.3Viet Nam News, October 2026 (opens in a new tab)vietnamnews.vn It is held every two years; the 10th was in December 2024.4VOV (opens in a new tab)kynguyenvuonminh.vov.vn
• January to February: the cherry blossom (mai anh dao). In 2026 the festival ran from 16 to 25 January, opening at Lam Vien Square.5VOV (opens in a new tab)kynguyenvuonminh.vov.vn
• May to October: the rainy season.6Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel Waterfalls are at their fullest,7Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel but heavy rain can close the mountain passes: landslides blocked Prenn and Mimosa passes on National Highway 20 in November 2025.8VnExpress (opens in a new tab)e.vnexpress.net

Top things to do

• Xuan Huong Lake: the centre of the city.9Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travelTip It is the main venue for the festival’s cultural events in December.10SGGP (opens in a new tab)en.sggp.org.vn
• Crazy House (Hang Nga Guesthouse): a Gaudi-inspired building of tree-like organic forms.11Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)en.wikipedia.orgTip Book through the “Book Ticket” link on the official site (opens in a new tab), or call 02633 822 070.
• Datanla falls and alpine coaster: the coaster runs beside the falls.12Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travelTip The falls are at their best in the wet season.13Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel
• Linh Phuoc Pagoda: known for its mosaic covering.Tip Take the train to Trai Mat.14Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel
• Langbiang: good for hiking.15Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travelTip Go in the dry months; rain falls from May to October.
• Flower and strawberry gardens: greenhouses and strawberry farms around the town, and a central market known for fresh flowers and produce.16Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travelTip Farm visits run as a day out.17Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel

Hidden gems

• Da Lat railway station: a 1932 art deco terminal with stained-glass windows and a vintage steam train.18Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel
• Elephant Falls, Nam Ban: about 30 km from Da Lat, with a rocky trail down into the mist.19Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel

Getting there and around

• By air: Lien Khuong airport is about 30 km south of the city, with flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.20Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel
• By bus: open-tour buses run between Da Lat, Nha Trang, Mui Ne and Ho Chi Minh City. Book a day or two ahead, or two weeks ahead on holidays.21Vietnam Tourism (opens in a new tab)vietnam.travel

If it doesn’t go to plan

• Raining? Spend it at the Crazy House, the railway station and the central market, then see the fuller falls when it clears.
• Pass closed? Fly in to Lien Khuong instead of taking the road.
• Festival crowds? Look at the flower streets beyond the lake; 54 communes and wards have displays.