Friday 22 March 2019

What to do when you are in Dalat

What to do when you are in Dalat
This former French hill station is the capital of Lam Dong Province in southern Vietnam’s Central Highlands. The charming city is small and walkable and well-know for its wide variety of the many flowers, fruits and vegetables that are grown here in the surrounding farmlands. Whether you’re thinking about going, just curious, or you’ve already booked a trip, here are some of the best things to do in Dalat.

Take the Cable Car to Truc Lam Pagoda


Take the Cable Car to Truc Lam Pagoda
If it’s panoramic views you’re looking for, make time for a ride on Dalat’s cable car. A relatively new attraction, this is the best way to get a sense of the beauty of the region’s patchwork of farmland, greenhouses, crystalline lakes and distant mountains. The cable car connects Robin Hill with Truc Lam Pagoda and Tuyen Lake. The 1.5-mile ride (one way) is a picturesque one, and you get a cable car to yourself. At the top you’ll find the grounds of Truc Lam Pagoda, which house an active monastery, so expect to see monks going about their daily business. Public areas include a ceremonial hall, bell tower and beautiful flower garden to walk through. Make your way to tranquil Tuyen Lam Lake for even more photo-worthy views before taking the cable car back down.

Explore Dalat Flower Gardens

Explore Dalat Flower Gardens
Dalat is often referred to as the City of Flowers for a very good reason. The climate is such that various types of flowers can be grown year-round and Dalat Flower Garden is a great place to see the vibrant blooms, may of which can’t grow anywhere else in the country. Established in 1966, the gardens are located on the north side of Xuan Huong Lake in the heart of the city. Over 300 types of flowers are grown here, and it’s easy to lose track of time on a meandering stroll through the colorful displays.

Shop Dalat MarketShop Dalat Market

Local markets offer a good chance to get a better sense of local life, and Dalat Market in the center of town is no exception, especially when you consider all of the abundant locally-grown produce offered. Head here to browse stalls of the aforementioned produce, consisting of everything from strawberries and artichokes, to cauliflower and spinach. There is also an array of flowers, as well as local teas, coffees, honey and more. If you’re hungry, make your way to the food court on the top floor for cheap local eats.

Eat Your Way Through the Night Market

Eat Your Way Through the Night Market
Once the sun starts to go down, the area near Dalat Market starts to look a bit different. Numerous colorful stalls are set up to sell local snacks, second-hand clothing, and souvenirs, and the atmosphere is a lively one. If you didn’t pack for the cooler weather in Dalat, get yourself a cheap second-hand jacket of which there are plenty. Or simply browse the stalls, shop for souvenirs, and most importantly, fill up on street food—grilled meats, roasted chestnuts, grilled cobs of corn, noodle dishes, hot soy milk, baked sweet potatoes, crab soup and more are available. One of the most popular dishes is tráng nướng (known as Dalat pizza), which is basically large sheets of rice paper grilled over hot coals and topped with egg and scallions, dried baby prawns, and sweet and spicy sauce. The market is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Stroll Around Xuan Huong Lake

Stroll Around Xuan Huong Lake
Both locals and visitors alike seem to have an affinity for Xuan Huong Lake. The manmade, crescent-shaped lake is located in the center of Dalat and is a justifiably popular spot for picnicking, cycling, walking and jogging. There are benches here if you need a rest and there’s the option to rent a swan-shaped pedal boat if you want to be out on the water. You can usually find various street food stalls here, and the surrounding area offers a good choice when it comes to coffee shops (Dalat is know for its coffee) and restaurants.

Visit Dalat Railway Station

Visit Dalat Railway Station
Built in 1943, Dalat Railway Station has been recognized as a national cultural site. Construction on the railway station began in 1932 and was completed in 1938. For the most part, this is just a place to come and snap a few pictures of the stationary steam train on the premises (always popular for selfies), but you can also take a short three-mile ride that follows the historic line to a tiny village named Trai Mat that offers scenic countryside views. 

See more: Food trip in Da Lat
Source: Internet

Friday 14 December 2018

Best places to travel in Vietnam during Tet

Tet is the Lunar New Year for Vietnam and falls on the same day as the Chinese New Year. For the Vietnamese, Tet is like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve all rolled up in one. Moreover,  this is a great time to be in Vietnam for travelers. Everyone is in a very festive spirit and the streets are filled with flowers.

Best places to travel in Vietnam during Tet

Moc Chau plateau

Best places to travel in Vietnam during Tet
200 kilometers apart from Hanoi, Moc Chau is a well-known destination for backpackers. The best time to go to Moc Chau is from the end of January to February, when plum blossoms and sakura bloom everywhere, making the plateau looks like a white heaven.

Tam Dao

Best places to travel in Vietnam during Tet
It is quite hot in Vietnam this winter, and if you miss the feeling of those cold winds blowing to your face, why don’t you come to Tam Dao where the weather is always cool? Visiting the Van Pagoda, Silver Waterfall, Sky Gate and enjoying local dishes like chayote, hill chicken, man pig as well.

Dalat

Best places to travel in Vietnam during Tet
With no doubt, visiting the “City of flower” in the blooming season is a great plan for your Tet holiday. You can hire a motorbike and wander around this city to enjoy its quiet beauty and of course flowers. Must-thing to do when you come to Dalat is visiting Dalat Flower Garden. You can even find an impressive cacti garden, many of them originally from Africa. The garden is in the center of the city, so don’t miss it.

See more: 10 traditional Vietnamese New Year dishes

Hoi An

Best places to travel in Vietnam during Tet
Used to be a South-East Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th century, it seems like Hoi An is left by the modern world and still sleeping in its glorious past. With the well-preserved ancient architecture, it makes you feel like you are coming back to hundreds of years ago. It is a small town, so you should spend around 1 to 2 days here.

Hanoi

Best places to travel in Vietnam during Tet
Hanoi is quite quiet during the holiday because a lot of Vietnamese people visit their family. So let's take advantage of this holiday to avoid traffic jams in this city. Wandering around Hoan Kiem Lake, you can enjoy the holiday decorations and locals in traditional clothing. In addition, you can visit Ngoc Son Temple and Tran Quoc Temple to enjoy the atmosphere of the holiday.

Sapa

Best places to travel in Vietnam during Tet
Another Northern destination in this list must-visit Vietnam. If you come to Vietnam and you don’t visit Sapa, it’s such a pity. The breathtaking mountainous scenery of Hoang Lien Son range, the terraced fields on rolling hills, the villages of Highland ethics, the colorfulness of brocade fabric. You just don’t want to miss it.

See more: 5 traditional activities during Tet holiday for families
Source Internet