Lam Dong Province, Vietnam

Positioned inland from the coast, Lam Dong Province (Lâm Dông) covers the southernmost portion of Vietnam’s Central Highlands Region. Bordered by only Vietnamese provinces, Lam Dong is the only province in the Central Highlands Region that does not share an international border with Cambodia or Laos.

Mostly rural, Lam Dong is admired for its spectacular landscapes which include national parks, mountains, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls.

How to Get to Lam Dong

Geographically, Lam Dong Province can be divided into three parts. In the far north, the landscape is dominated by high mountains. Altitudes drop in the East and West before finally flattening in the southern area of the province that leads to the country’s South Central Coast and Mekong River Delta Regions.

With the array of landscapes, the province’s beauty captivates travelers from all over. Although 70% of the province is forested, it’s well connected to other cities because of its capital, Da Lat (Dà Lat). Using either cars, buses, trains, or planes, tourists can easily make the journey to Da Lat from HCMC, which is Southern Vietnam’s largest urban area.

Located to the northeast of HCMC, Da Lat is about 308 KM (192 mi) away. Traveling by road will take 6-7.5 hours, while flights can get you to Da Lat in about 1 hour.

History

For over 100 years, Lam Dong Province has been flocked by travelers. Beginning in the 1890s, when the French were colonizing Vietnam, Lam Dong and its capital Da Lat were used as vacation destinations. Originally, the area’s towns were converted into hill stations where soldiers and their families could spend time together.

The higher altitude made the province popular because it provided travelers with a break from the high heat of the coast. After colonization ended, the influence of the French remained. Colonial architecture dominated the area and when the Americans came, many soldiers lived in the hill stations.

Surprisingly, most of Lam Dong got through the Vietnam War without being damaged. It wasn’t until the Tet offensive in January 1968, that the Vietnam War changed Lam Dong. By the end of the offensive, South Vietnam regained control of the area, which they kept until the Fall of Saigon.

In addition to foreign influence leftover from colonization and the Vietnam War, history in Lam Dong Province is strongly tied to the area’s ethnic groups. Ko Ho, Ma, and Churu groups live in small communities throughout the province and many still practice traditional Vietnamese ways of life.

Fun Facts

• The main agricultural products in the Lam Dong Province are tea, coffee, and vegetables.
• As of 2019, an estimated 1,551,120 people live in the Lam Dong Province.
• In 2011, Lam Dong had 3 million tourists visit the province.

Capital City

A former hill station for the French, Da Lat is the capital city of Lam Dong Province. Meaning “Stream of the Lat People”, Da Lat is nestled at an altitude of 1,500 m (4,921 ft) in the Central Highland mountains. The cooler climate features a gorgeous landscape that is especially well-known for its impressive display of cherry blossoms, orchids, roses, and marigolds.

A large pine forest surrounds the city, giving it its nickname, the “City of Eternal Springs”. With such diverse floriculture, many tourists are keen to explore the city, which has been highly developed. Centered around a golf course and lake, Da Lat is a prime destination for weekend retreats, acting as a gateway to Vietnam’s Central Highlands Region.

Throughout Da Lat and in the countryside that surrounds the city, there are numerous tourist attractions. Visitors in Da Lat can easily tour the area and explore multiple attractions in one day. Those who are drawn to the natural features of Da Lat should visit Thien Phuc Duc Hill, Xuan Huong Lake, Langbiang Peak, Prenn Waterfall, Madagui Forest City, or the Valley of Love.

In the city, the picturesque architecture is quite the sight, but one place, the Crazy House is guaranteed to catch your eye with its fairy tale-esque appearance. On the outside, Da Lat has drawn attention because of its luxurious appearance. However, travelers shouldn’t worry because there are dozens of accommodation options with prices ranging from expensive to affordable.

The lakefront is the priciest area in the city, but just a few blocks in from the water, there are quality hotels with lower prices. The best places to stay in Da Lat are the Capital O 585 Saigon Book Da Lat Hotel, Carita Hotel, Dalamoon Hotel, and the Khanh Uyen 1 Hotel.

As a city that is surrounded by farms and vineyards, many restaurants in Da Lat feature menus that are farm to table. Relying on the local agriculture not only boosts the economy, but it gives tourists the chance to taste the regional delicacies in Da Lat. Like the hotels, there are plenty of restaurants with a range of prices.

Tourists in Da Lat should check out the menus at the Artist Alley Restaurant Da Lat, Le Rabelais at Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel, L’angfarm, or One More Café.

Famous Places in the Lam Dong Province

While Da Lat is by far the most famous and popular destination in Lam Dong, it isn’t the only destination. Away from the city, the province has a few places that have become tourist hotspots. Unique because of the vibrant communities and national parks, tourists in this mountainous province should check out Bao Loc (Bao Lôc) City, Cat Tien (Cát Tiên) District, and the Lac Duong District.

Bao Loc City

The second-largest city in the province, Bao Loc is smaller, quieter, calmer, and less touristy than Da Lat. Famous for its B’lao tea, the landscapes around Bao Loc are filled with coffee and tea plantations, as well as epic waterfalls. Attractions in the city include the Dambri Tourist Area, Dambri Waterfall, Dasara Waterfall, and the Linh Quy Phap An (Linh Quy Pháp Ân) Pagoda.

Cat Tien District

In the southwest corner of the province, Cat Tien District is renowned for its untouched forests and ancient history. Divided into two townships, Cat Tien and Phuoc Cat (Phuóc Cát), there are 9 communes in the district. Locals are friendly and visitors can arrange for homestays. The district’s biggest attractions are the Cat Tien National Park and Cat Tien Archaeological Site.

Lac Duong District

An extremely rural district with a population of a mere 16,081 people, Lam Duong District is the ideal destination for travelers who want to go far from the tourist map. Not as popular as other destinations, this remote area does have one great feature: Bidoup Nui Ba National Park (Bidoup Nùi Bà).

The park’s low profile has helped preserve its unique inhabitants, which includes rare species like Asian black bears and vampire flying frogs.

Main Attractions

Even though the majority of Lam Dong Province is remote, there are still quite a few attractions that are worth exploring. The best places for tourists that showcase the natural beauty and rich culture of Lam Dong are the Cat Tien National Park, Cat Tien Archeological Site, Elephant Waterfall, and Linh Phuoc Pagoda.

Cat Tien National Park and Cat Tien Archeologial Site

Often regarded as Vietnam’s most famous national park, Cat Tien is known by travelers all around the world and it has become a wanderlust destination. Featuring a lowland tropical forest habitat with developed and untouched sections, Cat Tien’s most popular attractions are Dao Tien Island, the Ben Cu Waterfall, Ta Lai (Tà Lài) ethnic village, and the Cat Tien Sanctuary.

Tourists will have to pre-plan their vacation to Cat Tien because access to the park is restricted. All park guests must be booked with an authorized tour company to enter, as permits are not given to individuals or unaffiliated groups. Booking a tour of Cat Tien National Park is easy and provides access to all the park’s activities, including hiking, biking, and boating.

Situated between two parts of the Cat Tien National Park, the Archeological Site was originally discovered in 1985. For visitors who are already in the area, many tours will take their guests to see the site. Artifacts at the Cat Tien Archeological Site include Southeast Asia’s largest stone lingam, figurines, bowls, jars, and statues.

Elephant Waterfall

Outside of Nam Bam Town and close to the Linh An Pagoda, the Elephant Waterfall is a must-see destination. Boasting fast-flowing cascades and deep caverns, the waterfall is one of the largest in the area. At the top of the falls, there is a small tourist building and along the edge, a few hundred stone steps lead to the bottom.

Locals have set up food and souvenir carts, so guests won’t have to worry about packing a lunch.

Linh Phuoc Pagoda

Called the “Pagoda of Broken Glass”, Linh Phuoc was built using more than 12,000 bottles. Breaking the glass to create shards, the pagoda’s entrance gate, tower, and main hall all feature this unique architectural style. Tourists visiting the pagoda will be able to view the country’s heaviest bell and climb to the top of the 37 m (121 ft) tall tower.

The pagoda is just outside of Da Lat and travelers can easily hop on a train at the Dalat Railway Station to get to the village.

Special Events

Honoring old traditions and keeping the local culture alive, the two biggest celebrations in Lam Dong Province are the Tea Festival and the Da Lat Flower Festival. Featuring local teas like B’lao and regional delights, the Tea Festival is held every 2 years in December. Vendors gather to exhibit their tea and visitors are encouraged to tour the hills where the leaves are grown.

Just after the Tea Festival, the Da Lat Flower Festival heads to the city. Large flower displays are set up in parks and on the street as companies and local farmers gather to showcase their best crops. Common flowers seen during the festival include orchids, snapdragons, and carnations.

Weather

Unlike most of Vietnam, the Central Highlands is well-known for having a cooler climate. Much of Lam Dong Province sits at a higher altitude, so travelers should expect to experience lower temperatures, especially during winter. Perhaps surprisingly, the winter months tend to be the busiest for tourists.

Partly because of the drier and cooler weather, many of the province’s biggest celebrations are held during the months of December and January. Tourism in Lam Dong Province spikes from October to February, although some crowds will stick around for March and April too. Summer can get busy, but most tourists tend to avoid the area because of the heat and wet weather.

However, no matter the season, there is always some type of flower growing in Lam Dong, so travelers will have a chance to see the province’s unique agriculture.

A charming province, Lam Dong is every traveler’s delight. With mountains, forests, waterfalls, quiet villages, and big cities, travelers will fall in love with the diversity of this Highlands destination. Though the province is home to one of the country’s most famous national parks, there are still plenty of untouched and lesser-known attractions too.

Activities near Lam Dong Province

Amusement:

• Da Lat Cable Car Station

National Parks:

• Bidoup Nui Ba National Park
• Cat Tien National Park

Towns:

• Bien Hoa (199km)
• Cam Ranh (180km)
• Da Lat
• HCMC (240km)
• Mui Ne (117km)
• Nha Trang (210km)
• Phan Thiet (110km)

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