Attractions

Much of what there is to see in Dalat is natural sights: Lakes, waterfalls, and dams dominate the tourist trail. Things are spread over quite some distance, so consider booking a tour or renting your own car or motorbike.

If touring on your own, remember to avoid visiting pagodas between 11:30am and 2pm, when nuns and monks will be having their lunch. You might disturb them and also miss a valuable opportunity for a chat. It's also correct to leave 1,000 VND or 2,000 VND in the donation box near the altar.

Typical 1-day itineraries by minivan to sights outside the city include a visit to one of the falls, either Prenn Falls or Pongour Falls south of Dalat, followed by a stop at Truc Lam Monastery, the Lat (Chicken) Village, the Valley of Love, Crazy House, and a visit with the Crazy Monk, and ending with a stop at Bao Dai's summer palace or the old train station. Most tours make stops at small silk-weaving villages where you can watch the whole process from worm to wear, as well as incense-making workshops, vegetable-growing terraces, and coffee plantations.