Welcome to Dalat: the "city of eternal spring," a cool-air mountain respite filled with pine forests, rolling valleys, and spectacular sunrises. It's where Saigonese escape the summer heat and where tourists flock to capture the perfect Instagram photo in the fog. But there's a problem. As heavily touristed as Dalat is, most visitors get stuck in a shallow loop of the night market, the lowest-hanging fruit from TikTok, and restaurants with picture menus. They miss the best parts.
This guide is your escape route. Forget the generic advice. This book is your savvy local friend, dedicated to showing you the deeper, less obvious side of Dalat-even at its most famous attractions. Packed with direct links and QR codes for every location, this is the practical, opinionated guide you need to do it right.
Avoid the Tourist Traps: Steer clear of the scams, from the waterfall that smells like sewage to the infamous night market restaurant known for overcharging and even physically assaulting customers.
Experience the Unforgettable: Ride a thrilling 2.4-kilometer alpine coaster through a stunning pine forest, take a sunset train ride accompanied by live violinists, and wake up at 4 AM for the surreal hunt for clouds (san may).
Eat Like a Local: Find the undisputed champion of "Vietnamese pizza" (banh trang nuong), savor chicken-and-lemon-basil hotpot (lau ga la e), and eat at hidden gems that rarely see tourists-not even Vietnamese ones.
Meet the Experts: Get an insider's tour from "The Coffee Professor" at his high-end arabica farm and learn how to hire your own trusted English-speaking driver and guide (a "guy") to create your own custom tours.
Find the Hidden Nooks: Even at the most crowded Instagram spots, this guide shows you where to find the quiet corners for some actual, peaceful appreciation of nature.
This is Dalat the way I've come to know and love it. Come with me. Let's discover the real Dalat.
